Law-makers were unable and perhaps unwillingly to quell the rancor of New Orleans red light district. Sidney Story was the politician who wrote the legislation to delegate a section of the city where lewd women could live and work. Al Rose’s book goes on to explain that the legislation by the City Council did not “legalize” prostitution per say. But, it did allow for the section of the city around Basin Street to be a contained center of lascivious practice. Outside of the parameters set by legislation, prostitution was not allowed. Probably to his dismay, the red light district of New Orleans would be called Storyville after Sidney Story. Storyville is the first and only example of a legally sanctioned section of a city in the United States that was permitted for such activities to take place within it’s boundaries. Storyville would see the rise and fall of successful madame’s such as Hattie Hamilton, Kate Townsend, Minnie HaHa, Josie Arlington, and Emma Johnson. Rose’s book credits Kate Townsend with adding the element of luxury to sporting houses in Storyville.

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