The ghosts of Wyoming’s frontier days haunt the famous Tivoli in downtown Cheyenne. This historic building has served many purposes; a brewery, a political campaign center, a clothing store, a classroom, and much more. But it is most famous for its day as Cheyenne’s top brothel and saloon.
In the late 1800s, this building wined and dined the rough crowd that Cheyenne is now famous for. After a nice meal and night of drinking, you could spend the evening with one of Cheyenne’s women of ill repute. These ladies of the night haunt the building and still attract large amounts of adoring fans.
Quick Facts About The Tivoli Building:
- The earliest Tivoli building was constructed in 1874. Additional floors and renovations were added in 1883 and 1892
- It is named after the Tivoli Gardens in Paris
- Tunnels run underneath the Tivoli. They are also haunted but closed to the public.
The House of Mirrors
“We select our young women from the best backgrounds. They are attractive, intelligent, and well-versed in enough subjects to provide stimulating conversation with our guests.”
These words were read by countless cowboys, outlaws, traders, and trappers as they entered the “House of Mirrors.” This upscale brothel on the main floor of the Tivoli was locally renowned for decades after its opening in 1892.
The foundations of the Tivoli were likely set in 1874. A small wooden structure that was later fortified in 1883. In 1892 the Tivoli got the facelift that we see today.
The addition included the finest antique wood and pressed brick, and two renovated stories were added to the structure. A brothel and saloon entertained travelers and locals on the first floor, and rooms were rented on the second.
Two enterprising brothers, The Richardsons, spent $15,000 on these lavish renovations. They were even the proud owners of a $2,500 “orchestration.” An antique musical instrument that replicates a whole orchestra!
Their investments paid off, but not without a price.
Violence at The Tivoli
Hard drinking, gambling, and legalized prostitution always spell out a recipe for violence. The Tivoli was no exception.
This was the town where Western legends such as Bill Hickcock, Wyatt Earp, Tom Horn, and the Gunny Sack gang would often frequent. In 1894, a shootout occurred between three gunslingers in front of the Victorian building. One of them died, and the legacy of the building as a seedy yet classy establishment was cemented.
The story of the chandelier woman is the saddest tale of violence at the Tivoli. During the days of prohibition, the main floor became a clothing. But sin still took precedence, both above and below.
The basement operated as a speakeasy, and the top floor continued to cater to the lustful men of the town. The brothel was often frequented by very wealthy men looking to get their fix for the evening.
An employee of the brothel was found hanging from a wagon-wheel chandelier one sad morning. Her main customer was one of the wealthiest men in town. She was impregnated by this robber baron of Cheyenne and either committed suicide or was murdered.
The latter seems to hold more water as her spirit is extremely active in the old building.