Pikes Peak Historical Societies Chautauqua
October 18, 2026 2:00 PM –4:00 PM
38874 US Hwy 24
| Lake George, CO | 80827
Admission: FREE
Event Summary
Soiled Doves: The Working Women of Colorado's Boom Days is the topic of the October Chautauqua, presented by Pikes Peak Historical Society (PPHS).
Prostitution in the Old West was widespread. In every mining camp, railroad stop, trading outpost, boom town, or military fort, a lonely man looking for love could find a woman willing to tend to his needs... for a price.
The stories of the often-forgotten women who came out to the Wild West inspired Julie Blanda, and avid history enthusiast, to create her Soiled Doves presentation. Blanda enjoys researching various aspects of Leadville's past.
The Soiled Doves presentation encompasses a brief mining history of Leadville and Summit and Chaffee Counties, and those who came out West to seek riches, including the women, and many who did not find fortune. Blanda will discuss the varied aspects of prostitution in the mid to late-1800's and into the 1900s, from their day-to-day lives to an in-depth description of differences between a parlor girl and a crib girl, and from their clientele to their housing. There will be numerous fun facts and humorous accounts throughout the presentation. This presentation is not suitable for young children.
About the Presenter:
Blanda hails from Indiana and her parents still live in her hometown of Mishawaka. She attended Indiana University at Bloomington, graduating in 2002 with a General Studies degree, minoring in History and English. In June 2016 she moved to Leadville from Asheville, North Carolina, where she worked as a civil litigation paralegal. Blanda is a docent at Healy House and Dexter Cabin in Leadville, and works at Ski Cooper in the winter. She has a passion for trail running and enjoys backpacking, and trail running in her spare time. She and husband, John, live in an 1870's miner cabin with their dog, Brody.
Blanda will have some books for sale following the presentation. She can accept cash or credit card.
PPHS's Chautauqua is free and open to the public. No reservations are needed and all are welcome to attend. The school is located only four minutes from Florissant, on the south side of Highway 24 just two tenths of a mile west of the Ferrell Propane lot.
For more information call 719-748-8259 or 719-292-6563.
Prostitution in the Old West was widespread. In every mining camp, railroad stop, trading outpost, boom town, or military fort, a lonely man looking for love could find a woman willing to tend to his needs... for a price.
The stories of the often-forgotten women who came out to the Wild West inspired Julie Blanda, and avid history enthusiast, to create her Soiled Doves presentation. Blanda enjoys researching various aspects of Leadville's past.
The Soiled Doves presentation encompasses a brief mining history of Leadville and Summit and Chaffee Counties, and those who came out West to seek riches, including the women, and many who did not find fortune. Blanda will discuss the varied aspects of prostitution in the mid to late-1800's and into the 1900s, from their day-to-day lives to an in-depth description of differences between a parlor girl and a crib girl, and from their clientele to their housing. There will be numerous fun facts and humorous accounts throughout the presentation. This presentation is not suitable for young children.
About the Presenter:
Blanda hails from Indiana and her parents still live in her hometown of Mishawaka. She attended Indiana University at Bloomington, graduating in 2002 with a General Studies degree, minoring in History and English. In June 2016 she moved to Leadville from Asheville, North Carolina, where she worked as a civil litigation paralegal. Blanda is a docent at Healy House and Dexter Cabin in Leadville, and works at Ski Cooper in the winter. She has a passion for trail running and enjoys backpacking, and trail running in her spare time. She and husband, John, live in an 1870's miner cabin with their dog, Brody.
Blanda will have some books for sale following the presentation. She can accept cash or credit card.
PPHS's Chautauqua is free and open to the public. No reservations are needed and all are welcome to attend. The school is located only four minutes from Florissant, on the south side of Highway 24 just two tenths of a mile west of the Ferrell Propane lot.
For more information call 719-748-8259 or 719-292-6563.
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Also Occurs On
- Sunday, October 18
