Dolly's House Museum
24 Creek St., Ketchikan, Alaska
At the height of its gold rush, Ketchikan’s red-light district on Creek Street held around 30 bordellos. Dolly Arthur was one of Ketchikan’s better-known madams before prostitution was outlawed; today her parlor and boudoir are preserved as a museum that's filled with memorabilia commemorating the roaring days of the early 20th century.
Dolly’s House is the only remaining “den of iniquity” in Ketchikan, and it’s easy to spot with its mint-green paint. Visitors can step inside Dolly’s floral-wallpapered bedroom, with its brass bedstead, and see the sofas and armchairs where clients waited in the wings. Tours recount Dolly’s story and the history of Ketchikan and Creek Street, with highlights like a hidden liquor cabinet and a shower curtain adorned with condom flowers. Most walking tours around town include a stroll along Creek Street and a stop at Dolly’s House.
Dolly’s House is a must-visit for history buffs and first-time visitors.
Visit Dolly’s House with a guide to learn more about the history of Creek Street.
Don't forget your camera—photography is allowed inside the museum.
Dolly’s House is at 24 Creek Street in Ketchikan’s historic downtown. It’s within easy walking distance of the town’s other points of interest, and only a few blocks from the cruise port.
Dolly’s House is open to visitors from May to September. The museum and surrounding Creek Street can get busy when cruise ships dock in town, so check the schedule before your visit.
During the heyday Ketchikan’s gold rush, Creek Street served as the town’s red-light district, with brothels occupying the wooden buildings perched on wooden pilings above Ketchikan Creek. Prostitution was outlawed in 1954, and today, most of the colorful buildings of Creek Street house shops, galleries, and restaurants.
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