The Infamous Pearl DeVere

As we travel back in time to 1896, I’d like to introduce Pearl DeVere, the proprietor of the classiest bordello in the gold mining mecca of Cripple Creek, Colorado. I grew up engrossed in Colorado history, particularly that of Cripple Creek. I even worked for a time (no… not in the bordello) at the Heritage Center and learned so much about the local history. Pearl’s story has always fascinated me and was my inspiration for a character by the same name in a forthcoming time-travel romance, Sarah’s Rescue.

“Pearl DeVere” was an assumed name, and she was described as having red hair and a slender build and was a pretty woman. She was said to have been a good businesswoman, strong-willed, and smart. Her girls were instructed to practice good hygiene, dress well, and have monthly medical examinations. She also chose only the most attractive girls for employment. In return, her girls were well-paid for their services. The law turned the other cheek as long as a bordello owner paid the proper taxes to the city.

Pearl catered to the most prosperous men in Cripple Creek, and her brothel soon became the most successful in town. She was well known for wearing lavish clothing in public, and for never being seen twice in the same outfit.

After the great fire of 1896, Pearl recovered by having a two-story brick building built, calling it The Old Homestead and decorating it with lavish carpets, hardwood furniture, and electric lamps. The house was equipped with two bathtubs with running water. Each of her girls had her own bedroom, used for entertaining her guests, complete with a dresser, changing screen, and large bed. She also supplied each of her girls with a large trunk that could be secured with a lock, for their personal items.

When a client entered the establishment, if he could not decide on a particular girl, he could enter what was referred to as the viewing room. In this room, located through a small door on the second floor, the clients could look down through a large window into the parlor where all the girls were gathered. Once the client decided on a woman, she would be brought up to the viewing room, where she would remove all her clothing so that the client could make a final decision. Parties were held and after a client’s assets were verified, he was then charged $250 per night to stay over.

On June 4, 1897, Pearl held a large party sponsored by a wealthy admirer which included the best wine and caviar. The admirer had gifted her an imported Parisian gown at a cost of $800. The two reportedly had an argument, after which the gentleman stormed back to Denver, and Pearl told her girls that she was going up to bed.

During the night after the party, Pearl was found unconscious on a bed by one of her girls. A doctor was summoned, but she was pronounced dead in the early morning hours of June 5, 1897. The doctor stated that he believed she died of an accidental morphine overdose.

Her sister had been notified by the funeral parlor. She made the long journey to Cripple Creek from Chicago, only to discover that Pearl was not a well-respected millinery owner (the story Pearl had told all her family back home), but a madame at the most notorious brothel in Cripple Creek. Her sister refused to have anything to do with the funeral and remains and left immediately for home.

Pearl was loved by everyone, except for the town’s proper womenfolk, of course. Her funeral procession was a huge affair, the likes never before seen in Cripple Creek. I love to visit Mt. Pisgah cemetery and her grave. Her headstone is a white heart and there’s always a plethora of trinkets left by well-wishers (condoms, champagne bottles, coins, costume jewelry, etc.)

I don’t believe the above picture is actually Pearl. I’m told there isn’t a photograph of her in existence, except for one particular image hanging on a wall in the parlor of The Old Homestead (open for tours, which I highly recommend). It is unknown who the woman is in the photograph, but it was found in an old trunk, stored there since the old glory days…and who knows. It could very possibly be Pearl…