The Gilpin County Library hosted an insightful presentation on June 6, 2024, by Jade Luiz, a researcher specializing in historical archaeology with a unique focus on the archaeology of sex work.

Luiz captivated the audience with her discussion on the Pine Street Sex District in Central City and shared the latest discoveries unearthed by her and her team of Metropolitan State University research students.

What is Archaeology?

Starting with the basics, she humorously clarified that archaeology is not about dinosaurs but about investigating the human past through items left behind. "We’re not searching for golden idols like Indiana Jones," she joked. "We're looking for people’s trash to recreate their lives."

Historical Archaeology and Sex Work

Luiz’s specialty, historical archaeology, deals with relatively recent periods, focusing on cultural changes and transformations. Her specific interest lies in the archaeology of sex work, studying brothels, saloons, and related sites.

When asked how her research has affected her perspective as a woman, she said, “I feel like there's a lot of ways to make people aware of this research, and make people see sex workers as people.”

She summarized by saying that there should be no shame in studying sex work, any more so than there should be in studying plumbing: they are both just professions.

She would like to focus on the mitigation of violence, stigmatization, and isolation historically faced by sex workers– challenges that continue to affect sex workers today.

She said she prefers to call it “sex work,” instead of prostitution, since the occupation itself could refer to exchanging money for acts other than just sex, like nude photography or burlesque.

Central City’s Pine Street Sex District

The main subject of the talk was the history of the Pine Street Sex District. Central City's Pine Street was once a bustling area with five active brothels. This vibrant district operated openly until 1912, when the arrest of the famed Madam Lou Bunch, along with Fred and Nell Warwick, led to its closure. Madam Lou Bunch was a well-known madam, and her arrest marked a significant change in the town’s dynamics.

The Pine Street area faced further challenges when a devastating fire in 1905 burned down most of the brothels, including the notorious House 2 and House 3. Despite these setbacks, the district remains archaeologically significant due to the lack of subsequent construction on the site, preserving many of its historical layers.

Unique Finds and Daily Life

The district is unique due to the preservation of its structures and extensive documentation, revealing a diverse community of sex workers, musicians, housekeepers, cooks, and children. Luiz and her team have discovered over 5,000 items.

She shared stories about finding “Mother Hubbard gowns,” tea wares, a chandelier drop, and various ceramics and glassware pieces.

She explained that when most people think about 19th-century sex work, they imagine scenes like those with Marlene Dietrich from “Destiny Rides Again,” with lots of feathers and revealing outfits.

However, the reality was quite different. The women often wore Mother Hubbard gowns, considered scandalous at the time because they resembled nightgowns, and were common in the West.

These garments, despite being unflattering by modern standards, were the "sexy" attire of their day. Luiz described scenes of genteel conversation in parlors, evidenced by the discovery of numerous alcohol bottles and full sets of tea wares, indicating that part of the fantasy experience in these spaces may have included refined social interactions.

She discussed the social dynamics and community interactions with the sex district, sharing newspaper articles from the 1880s that showed a keen dislike of the district from the town and criticisms from local religious leaders.

Down the slope from the excavation site, about a block and a half away, stands the Catholic Church, part of what Luiz refers to as the "Catholic complex" due to its close association with the nearby convent.

About a year after the convent's construction, a wooden staircase was commissioned to connect the convent to the church, likely providing a direct route for priests and residents without cutting through the district. She finds the image of people using these stairs, with the brothels clearly visible nearby, particularly fascinating.

June 5 was an exciting day for the team, marked by the discovery of hurricane lamp burners.

She shared that one of the burners was exceptionally well-preserved, featuring a small wheel to operate the gears that raise and lower the wick. Although the other piece was just the top part, it had a decorative crown bit for holding the lamp glass, and the team hoped to find more pieces that fit together.

These artifacts were unearthed within the first half hour of the morning in the yard area of House 2. They were found in a distinct thin layer of yellow sand, rich with 19th-century artifacts, marking a significant find in their excavation.

Another exciting discovery was a fully intact commemorative spoon. The spoon features an engraving of a boat and the inscription "Flagship Olympia, Battle of Manila, May 1, 1898," commemorating a pivotal battle in the Spanish-American War where the American fleet defeated the Spanish fleet and took the Filipino colonies.

The spoon also bears the profile of Commodore Dewey, together with the American flag and an anchor, marking it as a special item, likely intended for display rather than everyday use. This find adds a fascinating piece to the collection of artifacts.

Future Plans and Public Engagement

Looking ahead, Luiz is excited about continuing her research and involving the community. She plans to establish a repository in Gilpin County for the artifacts currently stored in Denver, most likely the Historical Society Museum in Central.

She emphasized the importance of public archaeology and her goal to bring these historical findings back to the community.

She also plans to return next summer to continue the work.

Thanks to Supporters

She expressed her gratitude to the Gilpin County Public Library for inviting her to speak. She conveyed her excitement about sharing the project with the local community. She also extended a big thank you to the Central City Opera House Association for allowing the excavation on their property and being so accommodating.

She gratefully acknowledged the invaluable support and information received from Dr. David Forsythe and the Gilpin County Historical Society. She also thanked her institution, Metro State, for their continuous support. Luiz emphasized her love for the town and her desire to continue working there.

Special thanks were given to the students and volunteers of the 2023-2024 field schools, whom she called the real heroes of the project. Lastly, she recognized her colleague, Dr. Joe Feldman, for his efforts in collecting stories and information about Madam Lou Bunch Day and the district's history.

Interactive Open House

Luiz invited the audience to an open house at the excavation site on Saturday June 8, encouraging people to wear sturdy shoes and join in the digging. She emphasized the importance of public engagement and making archaeology accessible to everyone.

She said to watch out for holes, and that by the afternoon on Sunday, June 9, the team would be filling the excavation holes, not only for safety but to maintain the layers of dirt and prevent them from collapsing.

“One of the reasons we backfill is it actually helps preserve the nice crisp layers. We cover it with a geotextile, a black landscaping fabric, and then we dump the dirt back in the holes,” she explained.

Overall, Luiz's presentation was a fascinating journey into the past, shedding light on the lives of those who lived and worked in Central City’s Pine Street Sex District. Her work not only uncovers historical truths but also bridges the gap between past and present, making history come alive for the community.

For further information on Jade Luiz’s archaeology work, visit her Facebook, Instagram, and Central City Archaeology’s website at https://centralcityarchaeology. wordpress.com/.