Selling Sex in the Silver Valley: A Business Doing Pleasure - Paperback

Wallace Idaho Brothel History: Selling Sex in the Silver Valley

This historical account examines the controversial sex work industry in Wallace, Idaho, once the world's largest silver producer. The book documents how illegal brothels operated openly until 1991, supported by locals who believed prostitution prevented rape and strengthened the local economy.

Silver Valley Mining Town History

Wallace's transformation from mining powerhouse to a town known for labor uprisings, hard drinking, gambling, and prostitution forms the core of this narrative. The book provides documented evidence of how sex work became intertwined with the town's identity and economic survival during its mining heyday.

Labor History and Social Dynamics

The text explores the complex relationship between Silver Valley's mining industry, labor movements, and the tolerance of illegal brothels. It examines community attitudes toward sex work and how these views shaped Wallace's reputation in the American West.

Pacific Northwest Regional History

This study contributes to understanding Pacific Northwest social history, particularly how isolated mining communities developed unique cultural practices. The book documents a specific period in Idaho history when prostitution was openly accepted despite its illegal status.

Women's History and Sex Work

The narrative includes perspectives on women who worked in Wallace's brothels, providing historical context for sex work in Western mining towns. It examines the economic and social factors that sustained this industry for decades.