The Queen of the Blondes
Shortly after the gold rush which brought Deadwood’s population to nearly five thousand people there appeared an establishment on Sherman Street run by Mollie Johnson, who became known about town as the Queen of the Blondes. Mollie employed at least three young blonde women in her establishment, which was a brothel and saloon. Mollie was both Madam and a working prostitute, and was one of Deadwood’s best known business persons, with the brothel she operated referred to as a naughty house by the local press, or as a house for naughty men. She was just one of several madams who plied their trade openly despite the growing presence of other women.
In the early days of the camp, prostitution was practiced in the tents and mining shacks. As the town grew and prospered several elaborate brothels were established, which competed with each other as much in the recruiting of women as in the appeal to men. The Queen of the Blondes maintained high standards of appearance and cleanliness among her employees, and demanded the same of the male customers who patronized her businesses. As with other businesses which lost their buildings in the fire of 1879, Mollie rebuilt and remained in operation. Sometime around 1883, Mollie Johnson left Deadwood and vanished from history.