Ketchikan in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
Dolly's House
Circa 1905
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2012
1. Dolly's House Marker
Dolly Arthur… one of the Creek’s longest “working” residents
This house was the home of Dolly Arthur, Ketchikan’s most famous “sporting woman.” From 1919 through the 1940s, it was also her place of business.
Dolly, whose given name was Thelma Copeland, had already practiced her trade in Vancouver, Juneau, Petersburg and at the other end of Creek Street when she finally settled here at #24. She lived in the house until 1973, when ill health and failing eyesight required her to move into a nursing home.
Looking back on her career shortly before her death at age eighty-eight, she said:
”I guess men thought I was fun and attractive, because I always seemed to have more friends than the other girls on Creek Street. I could never get along with other girls, you know – but I never had any trouble getting along with men.”
Erected by Ketchikan Historic Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 55° 20.484′ N, 131° 38.469′ W. Marker is in Ketchikan, Alaska, in Ketchikan Gateway Borough. Marker can be reached from Creek Street (Alaska Route 7) north
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Creek Street (a few steps from this marker); June's Café (a few steps from this marker); New York Hotel & Café (within shouting distance of this marker); 20 Creek Street (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lost Frontier (within shouting distance of this marker); Stedman-Thomas Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Ohashi's (within shouting distance of this marker); Ketchikan Shingle Mill (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ketchikan.
More about this marker. Creek Street is actually an elevated boardwalk rather than a street (pedestrian traffic only)
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Dolly's House Museum. Alaska.org website entry (Submitted on July 21, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Dolly Arthur: now Ketchikan's poster girl. Sit News website entry:
Dolly's house was not only her business but also her longtime home. Her claim to present fame was simply because of the more than 50 years she spent on Creek Street. She bought the house in 1919 and was still living
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2012
2. Dolly's House
Additional keywords. prostitution
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2012
3. Dolly's House (wide view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2012
4. Dolly's House Historical Plaque
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2012
5. Dolly's House Sign
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,424 times since then and 166 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 30, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
