The Gentlemen's Directory / myLot

Boise, Idaho

April 3, 2022 1:48pm CST

On Mercer Street in Soho, NY stands the oldest brothel still standing. It is now a private home. At the turn of the 19th century, there was no neighborhood in NYC that didn't have a brothel in it. Prostitution was a large part of its economy at that time. The Gentlemen's Directory was a pocket-sized booklet that described the different houses in a given neighborhood and, the girls each brothel had available. It was published in 1870 and included more than 150 brothels. It was used to "carefully screen" from public view the area's nightlife and could be obtained at city newsstands.

4 people like this

2 responses

George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (122133)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

3 Apr 22

I did not know about the oldest brothel is in New York even now it is a private home. I have heard of brothels in Nevada though from a television documentary about the casinos in Las Vegas.

1 person likes this

celticeagle

@celticeagle (189838)

• Boise, Idaho

5 Apr 22

Yes, Nevada still has laws that there be brothels while the rest of the country it isn't lawful.

1 person likes this

George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (122133)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

5 Apr 22

@celticeagle Thanks for the information.