Livingston in Park County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Livingston B Street Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021

1. Livingston B Street Historic District Marker

Inscription. These four small one-story houses are the only remnants of Livingston’s once-thriving red-light district. A convenient but respectable distance from the railroad hub, commercial district, and residential neighborhoods, here the “painted ladies” quietly plied their trade. The houses were originally built as duplexes between 1896 and 1907. Their design resembles the gables and porches of larger houses with subtle decorative variations. B Street’s establishments prospered from the 1890s to the 1920s, catering to ranch hands, sheepherders, itinerant railroad workers, and local residents. Though technically illegal, prostitution in Livingston achieved a certain “illegitimate respectability” and the district grew to encompass nine houses along a block and a half. Old-timers recall the ladies sitting in the windows with their companion lap dogs, illuminated by a red light. Though they were not socially accepted, restricted to the last rows of the Opera House, and not allowed in saloons, local merchants profited from the ladies’ earnings spent on clothes, perfumes, and furs. Deliveries, however, were made only to B Street’s back

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doors. In the late 1940s, B Street’s establishments closed and the ladies moved to the outskirts of town. Some long-time residents say that Livingston “lost a lot of its color when the red lights went out.”

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 45° 39.557′ N, 110° 33.348′ W. Marker is in Livingston, Montana, in Park County. It is on South B Street near East Geyers Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 325 South B Street, Livingston MT 59047, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Yellowstone Country

and in Greater Bozeman.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was

One of the quaint little establishments. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021

2. One of the quaint little establishments.

once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Goughnour Lumber Office (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Mary's Catholic Church (approx. ¼ mile away); The Mayne Store (approx. ¼ mile away); Grabow Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); Livingston City Hall and Fire Station (approx. ¼ mile away); Danforth Block (approx. ¼ mile away); Hefferlin Mercantile Company (approx. ¼ mile away); Park Hotel Building (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Livingston.

Additional keywords. prostitution

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021

3. Livingston B Street Historic District Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 537 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 7, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.