Return to the Home Page

Shady Women and "Respectability"

in Territorial Arizona  

Ann Hibner Koblitz

There is no doubt that the social position of the “soiled doves” in Arizona has changed from territorial days.  Although they were never considered to be among the respectable part of society, their activities were not illegal, as they are today, and they were often lucrative. But even then,  they were usually relegated to the fringes of society, both physically and socially.

This area of study presents many problems. The first problem is the many names for its practitioners.  In doing research, terms such as cyprian, deminondaine, frail fair, and many other euphemisms are encountered.  Another problem is deciding who should be included as a practitioner. Obviously, a full time worker at a brothel would be. But, should a lady who engages in a tryst and takes a present also be considered?  Another problem is evaluating the dangers they faced from their life style. Many died from Tuberculosis, alcoholism, drug addiction, sexually transmitted diseases, and even suicide. However, these were also major causes of death for the general population of territorial Arizona.

Despite these research problems, Dr. Koblitz gave a comprehensive depiction of the life of these women, and their treatment by the territorial community. The presentation was enlivened by many examples from contemporary literature.  The standing room only audience was highly appreciative and had many questions following the talk.

Luncheon Talk - February 13, 2008

The Great Depression took a toll on the entire nation, and in many cases was especially hard on the women.  They struggled to hold their families together when food, clothing and even basic amenities were in short supply.

When the depression hit rural Arizona, the price of cattle and crops plummeted.  Women were forced to aid the family by gardening to put food on the table, selling milk and butter, and raising chickens to sell the eggs and fryers. Others tried less traditional ways to earn money, taking in children boarders and running guest ranches.  The men often had to leave the ranches to find work, leaving the women at home. Now, in addition to running the household and raising the children, they had to handle the ranch chores.  

The wives of the migrant workers and displaced farmers who came to Arizona endured tremendous hardships. Not only did they had to work in the fields to supplement the family income, they had to endure primitive housing, unsanitary conditions and an almost total lack of amenities.

The New Deal programs were mainly designed to help the men.  Some helped the women by addressing the problems of the migrant workers’ families, but only a few actually put women to work.  The WPA employed the most women.  It hired women seamstresses, writers, and in one case, used women to teach traditional Indian crafts.  

Depression women coped with an almost impossible situation, helped to earn money, held the family together and somehow found the strength to endure and survive.

Making Do With Less

Women in the Great Depression

Dr. Mary Melcher

Luncheon Talk - April 9, 2008

 The overland diaries of 19th century westering women are revealing--both in what is written and what is left unsaid.  These women have been described as "ordinary women, caught up in a momentous event of history."  Most traveled west reluctantly, caught up in the dreams of their husbands or fathers. Their diaries, journals and letters describe their experiences along with their misgivings, fears, sorrows and joys.

The journeys were in three different phases. The first, and maybe most difficult was just after the Mexican war when the trails were little known, and often calamitous routes were takeen. This is best illustrated by the ill fated Donner-Reed party. The second phase was the forty niners who rushed to the California gold diggings to make their fortune.  The third, and longest phase, was the westward travel to build a homestead and make a home in the west.  This phase lasted until the turn of the 20th century.

The presentation was illustrated and included many journal entries and letters written by these women which graphically illustrated their trek west.  The “standing room only” audience enjoyed  and appreciated the talk.

Westering women had specific duties. They began the day by collecting fuel, starting a fire, cooking breakfast and then cleaning and packing the dishes. After walking for three or four hours, they repeated the food preparation, walked another three or four hours, and did it all again. In addition, they washed clothes when water was available, took care of their children, and tended the sick.  It was not uncommon for a large number of the women in the wagon train to be pregnant, and child births were common along the trail.

Luncheon Talk - March 13, 2008

In Their Own Words:  

Diaries of 19th Century Women

Reba Wells Grandrud

Monti’s La Casa Vieja

May 3, 2008

The changes to the By-laws were approved.  These new by-laws  abolished the position of Gift Store Manager due to the closing of the society gift store. In addition, the position of Society Webmaster was added to keep to reflect current conditions.  

Next years officers were elected. Serving next year will be:

President - Mary Ann Kwilosz

Vice President - Vince Murray

Secretary - Rose Duarte

Corr. Secretary - Dick Bryce

Webmaster - Ken Reid

Past President - Ellen Cornwell

Director - Betty Enz

Director - Dave Markel

Director - Nancy Stahl

Director - Jim McBride

Michael Monti spoke about the past, present, and future of Monti’s La Casa Vieja.  The original building was begun by Charles Hayden in 1871.  In 1924 the Hayden sisters began the first renovation of the “Old House”  In 1943 it became a restaurant operated by Lucille and Eugene Paine.  Leonard Monti bought the restaurant in 1954, and it became Monti’s La Casa Vieja Restaurant.  Additions were began in 1969 with the Mill Room and new  kitchen. In 1979, the south side addition was completed, giving the restaurant over 23,000 feet of floor space.

The historic importance of the building was recognized when it was placed on the National
Register of Historic Places in 1984 and listed as “Tempe Historic Property Number 11” in 2008.

Monti’s La Casa Vieja has been a Tempe institution and landmark for over 50 years, but conditions in Tempe are forcing changes.  The numerous events conducted in the city with the subsequent road closures, the restricted traffic on Mill Avenue, and the rise of major competition with easy freeway access have made Monti’s La Casa Vieja less a “travel to” restaurant, and a more local eating establishment. To meet the new  conditions, the excess capacity of the restaurant will be eliminated by the removal of the non-historic additions. The space gained will be used for a hotel and apartments, with ample parking.  This will give Monti’s a more localized customer base,  but still allow  it to serve its loyal customers.  Construction is tentively slated to begin in January of 2009, but this will depend on finalizing of the project and economic conditions.

The Tempe Historical Society wishes to thank Alex Karam & Mike Malpiedi for providing music during the luncheon.