Throughout the 19th century, the Port of New Orleans was one of the busiest in the country. In addition to the vast amount of goods that passed through the port, close to half a million immigrants came through the port in the 20 years prior to the Civil War, and many of them didn’t make it past Gallatin Street. Its location immediately adjacent to the river made it a prime spot for sailors looking for housing, drink, and entertainment. And, the Port of New Orleans during this time was never empty, which provided a constant flow of men and women through Gallatin Street’s infamous boarding houses, brothels, and saloons.

If the women sex workers didn’t die of disease, they often died from violence at the hands of drunken patrons or angry bar owners. But, the women weren’t always the victims. Sometimes they were the aggressors. In 1859, three prostitutes were charged with larceny after stealing from a patron of Archy Murphy’s brothel. Another woman, Mary Jane Jackson, was known for her hot-headed temper which often lead to her assaulting her customers. She was described as “a husky, full-bodied strumpet” with a “mop of flaming red hair,” which lead to her famously being known as Bricktop.

Bar brawls were common, robberies in the many brothels and cribs were frequent, and murders were a daily occurrence. Gallatin Street was a place where full-grown men simply disappeared in the night, never to be seen again. It was considered so dangerous that to even walk down this street at night was risking your life.

All except the most corrupt of police avoided Gallatin Street. Understaffed and underpaid, the police officers often demanded favors from the prostitutes, demanded bribes, or worked with the local bar owners and criminals.