Back then, the neighborhood several blocks west of where The Gateway now sits was an officially sanctioned red light district called the Stockade. In this one section of town. The Stockade was backed by a newly-formed political party called the American party, whose entire platform refused to follow Mormon ideals, Rachel says. The party moved prostitution from the areas around Commercial Street, now called Regeant Street, to the west of downtown to allow, what then-Mayor John S.
And so, moving the sex work trade to old Greek town they didn't think would cause any more property damage to the undesirable element that was already here. This seedy district also sat near the railroad tracks, away from schools. Other immigrants were also moving to this area. A foot wall surrounding the Stockade and was built with entrances at the north and south sides of the block. Existing houses were converted into brothels and rows of new cribs, or small rooms were built.
But the life of the Stockade was short-lived. It was eventually shut down when the American Party gained criticism from other parties and residents across the city. According to Rachel, the occupants of the Stockade either returned to Commercial Street or remained on the west side of South.
Commercial Street remained a red-light district until the late s and South remained one until the late s. You know, depression, alcohol use drug use, all of this is rampant in that population. News Local News. Actions Facebook Tweet Email. SLC had an officially sanctioned red light district. This is how it started. By: Shanti Lerner. But why this area? Copyright Scripps Media, Inc.
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