The Ward Street Red Light District

Did you know that at one time, one of Jville's most important industries was prostitution? A Jacksonville man is considered the creator of gay porn. Another Jville native was the most expensive male prostitute in the world. Cora Crane, arguably the most fascinating Grande Madame in the history of this country's bordellos, made her home here and that's only the beginning of the surprising history of sex in Jacksonville. 

While most historians try not to bring the subject up, one of Jville's most important industries for its first hundred years was the amazing Bordello District centered around Ward Street.  More than sixty 'female boarding houses' were listed on the records of the Sanborn Company. Insurance Maps by 1920, and their whimsical names are handed down by history:  "The New York Senate", "The Court", "The Turkish Baths", "The Hotel de Dreme", and "Spanish Marie's"

Here is Part 1!