817. Pensacola's Houses of Prostitution in 1902

In the very early days of the 20th Century, Pensacola had a well-established system of prostitution more or less controlled by the local police department. Although illegal, the profession was allowed to flourish as long as it was kept under control and they followed certain rules. This was due to Pensacola's economic boom at the turn of the century, which in turn caused the waterfront area to be crammed with sailors, businessmen, stevedores, warehousemen, and such. This "profession" of the night became so popular that a section of the city was set aside to accommodate it. The "Red Light District" of Pensacola included brothels on Zarragossa Street from Palafox Street to Barcelona Street and also Baylen Street from Government Street to Main Street. Those on Zarragossa Street, especially those close to Palafox, became the most well-known.

These were places where men frequented, good girls did not go, boys crept in to look around, and wives better not be seen. Extra police patrols were assigned to the area, illegal as they were, as long as the girls remained clean and disease free and were willing to report any and all lawbreakers. By restricting the activity to a confined area, the police were better able to control the trade that went on there. Some of the "houses of ill repute" in this area were very up scale and the madams had their girls checked for diseases periodically by local doctors, which definitely became a positive selling point for their customers. In the turn of the century census, prostitutes were listed as "sporting" women and the madams as "managers of sporting houses." Since the brothels were up and down the selected streets, they became known as "the line." Thus, on Saturday nights men were known to go "sporting the line." In order to preserve the image of the “good American girl,” many of these madams would not even allow their girls to drink or smoke while on "duty."

But the profession had its invisible and yet seedy side that took a toll on the “ladies of the evening.” Because they came into intimate and physical contact with so many men, of whom many were coming ashore from foreign ships, they were constantly being exposed to a large variety of diseases. When the madams discovered that one of their girls were infected with any form of venereal disease, they took them off “the line” and assigned them to domestic chores until they were cured or left the business. In addition to their medical maladies, there were the psychological factors that had to be considered. The depression caused by the real or perceived rejection of society left many of the “sporting women,” vulnerable to a myriad of psychological disorders.

Although the majority of these sporting women would disappear into obscurity, several became well-known to the people of Pensacola. One was not known to be a prostitute but made a living off the profession just as well. This legendary figure was known as “Barefoot Mary” who was known for wearing no shoes, dressed in ragged attire, and since she did not bathe very often, they said that she tended to smell. Her actual name was Mary Jane Conner Thorsen (1863-1941) who earned her living not from her body but from her excellent memory. She would prowl the red-light districts, which she considered a target rich environment. The prey she was looking for was any of the community’s respectable gentlemen who happened to be visiting any of the saloons, gambling rooms, dance halls, or bordellos where they might ought not to be. Shortly, these gentlemen would get a visit from Mary usually in a public place such as the bank, out on the public street or when they were coming or going to their offices. A discreet buck or two would slip from their pockets and into her hands and would buy her silence on the whole affair until their next visit to the promised land. She would pass away on March 16, 1941 and was buried in St. John's Cemetery by her husband Thomas K. Thorsen.

Several of the more distinguished Pensacola brothels belonged to such famous proprietors as Percy Nelson, Violet Arnold, and Miss Hazel, but the most renown of them all was located at 15 West Zaragoza St. (formerly Liberty Street) and belonged to Mary C. "Mollie" McCoy (1843-1920). It was known as the "Liberty Hotel" In all, she occupied three different buildings along West Zaragoza Street with her last becoming the most famous. She was very attractive and catered to the upper-class clientele. When the building was finally torn down, some of the material was used to build the Waterfront Rescue Mission that was erected on the same spot. During the peak of her career Mollie employed as many as fifteen girls, most of them brought in from New Orleans, Louisville, and several other large southern cities. After her death it is said that her grave attracted so many visitors that the ladies of good standing in Pensacola forced her tombstone to be removed! St. John's Cemetery historical sign stated that, "People can touch her tombstone to have a better love life!"

Another was known as "Black Mary" Harris who was constantly arrested by the police several times per week only to return to her trade afterwards. She was born around 1880 in either Alabama or Mississippi before making her way to Pensacola. She was arrested on April 2, along with eight others for keeping an "immoral house" at 28 West Zarragossa Street and had was already branded as "notorious." She was arrested on August 12 along with two others for keeping a sporting house on West Zarragossa. On September 12, again arrested for keeping a place of immorality. On November 3, she was accused of poisoning a young girl who then recanted her accusations was Mary was brought before. her. On May 13, 1903, she was assaulted by Eddie White who kicked her in the face seriously injuring her eye. However, the paper stated it was done without a great deal of provocation! Sometime after this altercation, Black Mary disappeared from the Pensacola landscape. She may have returned to her alleged activities in Alabama, changed her profession, or gotten married and left the area. Regardless, she was never heard from again under that particular moniker.

Although Black Mary, Barefoot Mary, and Mollie McCall disappeared ages ago, the world's oldest profession did not, especially on West Zarragossa Street. It would continue to thrive there for several more decades to come!