Jan MacKell Collins - Good Time Girls of the Rocky Mountains: a red-light history of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming

Jan MacKell Collins has been a published author, speaker, and presenter since 2003. Her focus has always been on Western history, with an emphasis on historical prostitution. Collins has published numerous articles on her subjects in such magazines as True West, Montana Magazine, All About History, and numerous regional periodicals. In 2016, she appeared on the television show Adam Ruins Everything as an expert in historical prostitution. Collins currently resides in Oregon, where she continues researching the history of prostitution.

In about 2006 I embarked on a journey, lasting a week or so, of research in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. I was alone, in a rented car, with a huge notebook of maps, notes, and schedules I gave myself in my attempt to find out as much as I could about the prostitution industry in these states. Id been to windy Wyoming a few times, but Montana and Idaho lay ahead of me in a shroud of mystery. To my utter delight, I found these places to be just as beautiful as I expected. When a woman travels solo, it is best not to wear a lot of makeup or jewelry, to look grumpy when in strange neighborhoods to fend off any strangers who may approach, and to lock the car even when just getting out to gas up. I soon forgot these rules of the road for the most part. The folks I met in my travels were kind and concernedfrom the truckers I could see chatting with each other on the radio when I turned onto new highways to the lovely older couple who argued over which was the safest room for me to stay in at their hotel.

I wish I could remember everyone I met in Wyoming. I can say that the wonderful staff at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne were very helpful. The Wyoming Territorial Prison museum in Laramie was as fascinating as it was foreboding. The Carbon County Museum in Rawlins and the Riverton Museum were really, really cool. A thank you also goes to all the people in these institutions, as well as those I met at local libraries throughout the state, for assisting me with my research.

Thanks also to Big Matt, my friend back in Colorado who told me some intriguing stories about the shady ladies of Idaho. The Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls is absolutely beautiful. Many of the libraries I visited had at least some of their shady history and willingly shared it with me. I would especially like to thank Jack and Michelle Mayfield, owners of the Oasis Bordello Museum in Wallace when I visited there. Jack gave quite a colorful tour and caught on to my reason for being there when I asked the right questions. He also let me sit on the madams bed and took my picture.

In Montana, Ann Butterfield at the Pioneer Museum in Bozeman, Ellen Crain at the wonderful Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives in Butte, Kathy at the Jefferson County Courthouse, and Ray at the Montana Valley Bookstore in Alberton were also of immense help. Special thanks goes to Rudy Giecek, owner of the fabulous Dumas brothel in Butte, who gave my friend and I an extensive tour of his building and spent several hours telling us about its fascinating history. Rudy has since passed away, and The Dumas has new owners as it continues to undergo extensive renovationsgo visit this magnificent place!

Next comes my e-pal Jan Koski, who graciously featured me on her soiled doves website, Soiled Doves of the Old West, and her friend Professor Jay Moynahan, who has provided an amazing amount of help during my research. Even today, Jay is always on top of what I am looking for and has assisted me in so many ways. Finally, I would like to thank the late Fred and Pat Javernick and their son, Ray, with whom I have been friends for years. It was quite a happy coincidence that all four of us happened to be in Butte at the same time, and I had fun explaining to Rays parents what I was doing there. After Fred treated us to dinner, I approached Rays mother Pat about him coming with me to visit the old Dumas Brothel Museum. Having no other way to put it, I said in a childish voice, Mom, can Ray go with me to the whorehouse tomorrow? She said yes.