About
Built in 1890, the brothel catered to the higher end clientele. Designed as both a brothel, and a parlor house for social activities, miners as well as the more professional men alike could find fulfillment of their indulgences at the Dumas. The original prostitution was only sanctioned on the second floor of the establishment. However, with the opening of the basement to the harlotry, and the expansion of the main floor all 3 levels became open for business.
With the tunnels leading from most of the mining areas directly to the basement, it seems the brothel developed a tiered system for both the girls, and the patrons. The miners mostly frequented the basement. The main floor was utilized by the middle class, and the second floor was visited by the higher ups, or wealthiest members of society.
Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to find any pictures of the interior before the 1990’s.
The Basement
Originally we had been led to believe the basement wasn’t used before the mid 1910’s. However lately we have found some sources that show it may have indeed been a large ballroom/dance floor from near the buildings inception. It was partitioned off into the smaller rooms known as cribs somewhere between 1900-1910. There was an entrance off Mercury street that allowed guests to head directly downstairs. East Mercury Street was the middle of the Red Light District. Every building was either a brothel, or related someway to prostitution. In order for the women to be profitable, they had to “advertise their wares.” Women were often hanging out of the windows either partially or even fully nude in order to entice the men into their workplace. This only lasted around 10 years though. At the start of World War One the entrance was blocked off directly to the basement, although you can still see the archway where the door used to be just above where the main steps into the main floor are today. You can also see the arches to the old windows in the basement where the women would advertise using the vaulted sidewalks in order to hang out, and up towards the street.
The basement operated until 1943, during World War Two when it was completely closed off, and the tunnels sealed. Most of the furnishings in the basement are from the WWII era, or before. During the early 2000’s the basement was intentionally flooded by pipes being broken by angry tenants who were forced to leave. You can notice on the picture to the right a high water mark from when that happened. This picture is also the historically most paranormally active room in the establishment.
The second floor was the only place sexual congress took place from the inception of the brothel until the early to mid 1910’s. It remained the area that was the most expensive, and most lavishly decorated throughout the life of the brothel. Unfortunately, many of the furnishings from the entire era or the brothel have disappeared. We are working to replace them with period appropriate replacements.
This image is from the historic madams quarters. Many times a new madam would decorate the walls and rooms to her liking. The last madam, Ruby Garrett, didn’t use this room. She had a room on the first floor converted for her, so the decorating that’s still adorning the quarters today are probably from the next to last madam. Bonita Farren. Bonita owned the brothel from 1955 until her death in 1971. The wrinkled carpet is from a few weeks ago, and wasn’t noticed during the photographing!