Famous Madams: Mattie Silks

Mattie Silks was a renowned and influential madam in Denver, Colorado, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Here’s a detailed history of her life and career:

 

 Early Life

Mattie Silks was born Martha Ellen Silks in 1850 in the small town of Eagle Pass, Texas. Little is known about her early life and family background. She grew up in a challenging environment, which may have influenced her later decisions and career path.

 

 Arrival in Denver

Mattie Silks moved to Denver in the early 1870s, a time when the city was experiencing rapid growth due to the Colorado Gold Rush. Denver was becoming a bustling metropolis, and its red-light district was a key feature of the city's social landscape.

 

 Establishing Her Business

Upon arriving in Denver, Mattie Silks quickly established herself as a prominent madam. She opened a brothel on Market Street, which was at the heart of Denver’s red-light district. Silks' establishment became known for its luxury and high standards, catering to wealthy and influential clients.

 

Her brothel was renowned for its opulent decor and the high quality of its "ladies," which helped her attract and retain a wealthy clientele, including politicians, businessmen, and other powerful figures in the city.

 

 Rise to Prominence

By the late 1870s and early 1880s, Mattie Silks had become one of the most prominent figures in Denver's red-light district. She was known for her business acumen and ability to maintain a successful operation despite the legal and social challenges facing the industry.

 

Silks also cultivated relationships with law enforcement and local politicians, which provided a degree of protection for her business. Her establishment was seen as one of the most respectable and luxurious in Denver, which helped her navigate the pressures of the time.

 

 Personal Life

Mattie Silks was known to have a complex personal life. She was married multiple times, and her marriages were often tumultuous. Despite these challenges, she remained a formidable figure in Denver’s vice industry.

 

Her personal relationships were often the subject of gossip, but she managed to keep her professional life highly successful and influential. Silks was known for her charisma and ability to navigate Denver’s social and political landscape.

 

 Challenges and Decline

As the early 20th century progressed, societal attitudes toward prostitution began to shift. Legal reforms and increased enforcement efforts began to close down many brothels, including those in Denver’s red-light district.

 

Mattie Silks faced increasing challenges as a result of these changes. Despite her efforts to adapt and maintain her business, the growing pressure from law enforcement and changing social norms eventually led to the decline of her establishment.

 

 Later Years and Legacy

In the early 1900s, Mattie Silks retired from her career in the red-light district. She lived out her later years in relative obscurity. Silks passed away in 1929 in Denver, where she had spent much of her life.

 

Mattie Silks is remembered as one of the most influential and successful madams in Denver’s history. Her career reflects the complexities of the social and economic dynamics of the time and highlights the challenges faced by women operating in the world of vice.

 

 Cultural Impact

Silks’ life and career have been the subject of various historical studies and accounts. She is often cited as a key figure in Denver’s red-light district, representing the opulence and influence that some madams achieved during a time of significant social and economic change. Her story contributes to the broader understanding of the American West and the role of women in its vice industries.