San Antonio Sporting District
Encyclopedia
The Sporting District in the U.S. city of San Antonio was a red-light district
in the late 19th and early 20th century. It was established by the city council to manage prostitution in the city. For a time it was one of the nation's largest vice districts with venues ranging from brothels to gambling halls. The area was officially shut down in 1941 resulting from the mobilization for World War II
.
The term sporting was a common 19th-century euphamism for gambling and/or prostitution. Many communities around the U.S. used this term; brothels were often referred to as sporting houses.
s, dance hall
s, saloon
s, gambling parlors
, and other illegal, or at least vice-oriented, businesses. City officials did not officially condone the activities but rather unofficially regulated them. The area also included many legitimate businesses including hotels and restaurants.
By the early 1900s, the District had become so large that, not only was it the largest red-light district in Texas, but it was one of the largest in the nation. In 1911 businesses in the area provided the city with approximately $50,000 ($,000 in today's dollars) annually in licensing fees. The most successful brothels boasted amenities such as ballrooms and orchestras. Because of the area's size a "Blue Book" was published as a tourist guide for visitors. The 1911–1912 edition listed 106 vice entertainment venues as well as many other businesses. Despite its fame and economic significance however, very little was recorded about the District because neither city officials nor journalists were typically willing to acknowledge knowing about the illegal activities.
An unusual facet of San Antonio's red-light district was the lack of racial segregation
in the District. Despite the general segregation that permeated society in Texas, establishments in the Sporting District generally catered to black men just as much as white men.
Between the world wars, particularly during the Depression, the District deteriorated as higher-class prostitutes abandoned the area in favor of working as call girl
s in hotels. Violent crime and theft in the area grew. With the advent of World War II the District gained the disapproval of the local army leadership, particularly Dwight D. Eisenhower
, who was then the Third Army
's chief of staff at Fort Sam Houston
from August to December 1941. The District was finally shut down in 1941 by San Antonio Police Commissioner P.L. Anderson, with the strong approval of Major General Richard Donovan. In July 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had signed into law a federal ban on prostitution near naval and military bases. San Antonio, however, continued to be a major center of prostitution until well after the war.
's Sporting House, which was actually located a block outside the borders of the District as defined by the city. Apart from being a well-established brothel, the home became a hideout for the gang of famed outlaw Butch Cassidy
.
Other well-known venues included the Beauty Saloon, the White Elephant Saloon, and the Vaudeville Theater and Saloon.
Red-light district
A red-light district is a part of an urban area where there is a concentration of prostitution and sex-oriented businesses, such as sex shops, strip clubs, adult theaters, etc...
in the late 19th and early 20th century. It was established by the city council to manage prostitution in the city. For a time it was one of the nation's largest vice districts with venues ranging from brothels to gambling halls. The area was officially shut down in 1941 resulting from the mobilization for World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The term sporting was a common 19th-century euphamism for gambling and/or prostitution. Many communities around the U.S. used this term; brothels were often referred to as sporting houses.
Boundaries
The District contained approximately 10 blocks of the city. Its boundary was described as follows in a tourist guide:History
The District was established in 1889 by the San Antonio city council to contain and regulate prostitution. The area became home to brothelBrothel
Brothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
s, dance hall
Dance hall
Dance hall in its general meaning is a hall for dancing. From the earliest years of the twentieth century until the early 1960s, the dance hall was the popular forerunner of the discothèque or nightclub...
s, saloon
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
s, gambling parlors
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
, and other illegal, or at least vice-oriented, businesses. City officials did not officially condone the activities but rather unofficially regulated them. The area also included many legitimate businesses including hotels and restaurants.
By the early 1900s, the District had become so large that, not only was it the largest red-light district in Texas, but it was one of the largest in the nation. In 1911 businesses in the area provided the city with approximately $50,000 ($,000 in today's dollars) annually in licensing fees. The most successful brothels boasted amenities such as ballrooms and orchestras. Because of the area's size a "Blue Book" was published as a tourist guide for visitors. The 1911–1912 edition listed 106 vice entertainment venues as well as many other businesses. Despite its fame and economic significance however, very little was recorded about the District because neither city officials nor journalists were typically willing to acknowledge knowing about the illegal activities.
An unusual facet of San Antonio's red-light district was the lack of racial segregation
Racial segregation
Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
in the District. Despite the general segregation that permeated society in Texas, establishments in the Sporting District generally catered to black men just as much as white men.
Between the world wars, particularly during the Depression, the District deteriorated as higher-class prostitutes abandoned the area in favor of working as call girl
Call girl
A call girl or female escort is a sex worker who is not visible to the general public; nor does she usually work in an institution like a brothel, although she may be employed by an escort agency...
s in hotels. Violent crime and theft in the area grew. With the advent of World War II the District gained the disapproval of the local army leadership, particularly Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
, who was then the Third Army
United States Army Central
United States Army Central is an Army Service Component Command of the United States Army and is also dual-hatted as the "United States Third Army". It is the Army Component of U.S...
's chief of staff at Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston....
from August to December 1941. The District was finally shut down in 1941 by San Antonio Police Commissioner P.L. Anderson, with the strong approval of Major General Richard Donovan. In July 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had signed into law a federal ban on prostitution near naval and military bases. San Antonio, however, continued to be a major center of prostitution until well after the war.
Major venues
The Sporting District contained numerous entertainment venues. One of the most famous was Fannie PorterFannie Porter
Fannie Porter was a well known Madame of the 19th century. She was best known for her association with famous outlaws of the day, and for her popular brothel.-Career as a Madame:...
's Sporting House, which was actually located a block outside the borders of the District as defined by the city. Apart from being a well-established brothel, the home became a hideout for the gang of famed outlaw Butch Cassidy
Butch Cassidy
Robert LeRoy Parker , better known as Butch Cassidy, was a notorious American train robber, bank robber, and leader of the Wild Bunch Gang in the American Old West...
.
Other well-known venues included the Beauty Saloon, the White Elephant Saloon, and the Vaudeville Theater and Saloon.
See also
- Barbary Coast, San Francisco, CaliforniaBarbary Coast, San Francisco, CaliforniaBarbary Coast was a red-light district in old San Francisco, California. Geographically it constituted nine blocks bounded by Montgomery Street, Washington Street, Stockton Street, and Broadway...
- Chicken Ranch (Texas)Chicken Ranch (Texas)The Chicken Ranch was as an illegal but tolerated brothel in the U.S. state of Texas that operated from 1905 until 1973. It was located in Fayette County about 2.5 miles east of downtown La Grange...
- Fannie PorterFannie PorterFannie Porter was a well known Madame of the 19th century. She was best known for her association with famous outlaws of the day, and for her popular brothel.-Career as a Madame:...
- Free State of GalvestonFree State of GalvestonThe Free State of Galveston was a whimsical name given to the island city of Galveston in the U.S. state of Texas during the early-to-mid-20th century. Today, the term is sometimes used to describe the culture and history of that era...
- Gambling in the United StatesGambling in the United StatesGambling is legally restricted in the United States, but its availability and participation is increasing. In 2007, gambling activities generated gross revenues of $92.27 billion in the United States. Commercial casinos provided 354,000 jobs, and state and local tax revenues of $5.2 billion...
- History of vice in TexasHistory of vice in TexasThe history of vice in the U.S. state of Texas has been an important part of the state's past and has greatly influenced its development. Vice activities, such as gambling and prostitution, have historically been a significant facet of both the state's culture and its economy.Law enforcement...
- Sporting District (Omaha, Nebraska)
- StoryvilleStoryvilleStoryville was the red-light district of New Orleans, Louisiana, from 1897 through 1917. Locals usually simply referred to the area as The District.-History:...