Located in the heart of the Silver Valley Mining District, Wallace is a town that’s loaded with history. In many ways, this humble community looks as if it’s been frozen in time. Boasting dozens of original structures from a bygone era, the entire mining town is actually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are an endless amount of ways to explore the town’s rich history, but there’s one destination that tells the story of a piece of Wallace history that not many outsiders know about. Once a fully-functioning brothel, the Oasis Bordello Museum is like a time capsule of Wallace’s past, and it may just be the strangest roadside attraction we’ve seen yet.
Providing a rare glimpse into a side of Wallace that you may be surprised to know exists is the Oasis Bordello Museum. Once a bustling brothel, this museum has perfectly preserved the town’s history with promiscuity.
Ing. Petr Suchy, Sr./Google
Believe it or not, brothels actually operated in Wallace all the way up until 1988. In fact, they were considered some of the town’s top businesses. Although illegal, it’s believed that law enforcement turned a blind eye to it because of the money that the industry continually brought in.
Ing. Petr Suchy, Sr./Google
An FBI raid that took place in 1988 brought an official end to this type of business in Wallace. However, the Oasis Bordello Museum is dedicated to keeping this unspoken part of Wallace’s history alive, and it does a great job of it.
Ing. Petr Suchy, Sr./Google
As the story goes, the brothel’s Madame Ginger received a tip about the FBI raid that was to take place. She immediately told the women who worked at the brothel to grab their items and flee. They never came back, and they left the brothel exactly as you see it today.
Ing. Petr Suchy, Sr./Google
In this way, the museum feels much like a time machine that’ll take you back to a truly bygone era. Today, visitors can participate in a guided tour of the building and get an up-close look at the women’s personal rooms, the brothel’s bathroom, the kitchen, and so much more.
Ing. Petr Suchy, Sr./Google
During the tour, you’ll spot all sorts of remnants of the 1980s era it was left in, including items like an Atari 5200 set up at the television and a J.C. Penney catalog on the coffee table. It really is like a time capsule of a different time!
Ing. Petr Suchy, Sr./Google
Get a closer look at the not-so-shady business that became such an important piece of Wallace history. Tours are given at the Oasis Bordello museum every half hour and it is open to visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. every day.
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Did you know about this bizarre roadside attraction in Wallace? It just goes to show that some parts of this town’s fascinating history will ALWAYS live on. Check out more unique pit stops in our state with this list of 14 Strange And Quirky Roadside Attractions In Idaho.
Ing. Petr Suchy, Sr./Google
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Address: Oasis Bordello Museum, 605 Cedar St, Wallace, ID 83873, USA
