Green Front Boarding House

These two adjoining log houses were probably built by Calvin Holly and William Douglas as dwellings in the late 1860s. By 1890, the two buildings were operated as “female boarding houses” or house of prostitution run by madames Myrtle Butler and Pearl McGinnis. During the early years, this area was Virginia City’s thriving red-light district, but by the 1890’s the Green Front was surrounded by Virginia City’s “China Town.” This building faced the Chinese Temple which stood between the two trees across the street. This property contributes to the Virginia City Historic District • Listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior • In cooperation with the Montana Historical Society