The Haunted Mother Harvey's Bordello

The original “Sin City,” Galveston had a reputation for vice. Off-duty dockworkers would prowl the town in search of love, and Mother Harvey had just the girl. Restless, Satin-clad, and looking to make a buck, the ghosts of Galveston’s Red-Light District are licensed to tease.

Did you know?

• Galveston was known as “Pleasure Island,” with law enforcement aware of the prostitution, gambling, and drinking happening openly in establishments.
• Mollie Waters, the woman who built the home eventually taken over by Mother Harvey, became one of the city’s most successful madams, amassing a fortune and retiring as a millionaire in 1906.
• The thriving port town of Galveston was run by infamous Italian mobsters Sam and Rosario Maceo. Sam was the brains of the operation, while Rosario (aka “Iron Glove”) was the enforcer.
• Galveston’s Red-Light District was known as “The Line,” with brothels conveniently located on the once-thriving Postoffice Street.

The Making of a Ghost

Death at the Bordello

Given the age of Mother Harvey’s Bordello (established in 1886), it’s no surprise a few deaths have taken place in the building. Especially unexpected ones. But out of all the sudden deaths, “Mr. Insurance Man’s” has been the most notable.

Rumor has it, a well-respected Galveston insurance agent frequented the brothel. He would park his quirky 1921 Dodge Roadster automobile in the nearby alley and walk up to the bordello to enjoy a hot cup of joe with the ladies.

He kicked-off every day surrounded by beautiful women, just how he liked it. One day, his early-morning Rendez-Vous must’ve gotten a little too steamy because his heart gave out. He had a massive heart attack and croaked right on the kitchen table.

Dead Man in the Bordello

Mother Harvey knew that the news of a respectable family man dying inside a cathouse would spread like wildfire. His reputation would forever be tarnished, and his family would have to pack-up and move to escape the embarrassment.

She called her contact at the police station (yes, madams had friends in high places) and the two came up with a plan.

The body was stuffed into the trunk of a police car and taken to Kempner Park. There, the corpse was placed on a bench along with a brown paper bag with bread crumbs to make it look as if he had passed away while feeding pigeons.

Haunting the Bawdy House

After the insurance man’s death, patrons at the brothel began to see what looked like the shadow of a man standing in the narrow hall. This was strange as men were escorted to their respective rooms and escorted out after they were “finished.” And let’s face it, no one went to Harvey’s bordello to hang out in the hallway.

Customers began reporting the sighting to Mother Harvey, noting that they’d also seen him outside in the alley. .

The misty-man was causing quite a stir with some patrons even refusing to stay for the service they’d already paid for.

It wasn’t until one of the girls saw the apparition that the man’s identity was confirmed, it was “Mr. Insurance Man.”

Some say he’s lingered looking for his belongings. When his body was moved, the police officer forgot to grab his hat and keys. But to be honest, he probably just chose to spend eternity in the company of vibrant young women.

No Days Off

Since this was a popular bordello, it’s no wonder that the house is rumored to be haunted by the spirits of working girls.

These particular ghost sightings are rare, but Galveston locals swear they’ve seen what look to be women peeking out the windows at night. Whether these are genuinely ghostly apparitions or just nosey neighbors is yet to be determined.

Sadly, the majority of the brothels that once stood on “The Line” have since been demolished. Lucky for us, the building that housed Mother Harvey’s Bordello is still standing.

Before It Was Mother Harvey’s

It was the year 1868 when Mollie Waters arrived in Galveston. At the ripe age of twenty-five, she left the Voodoo-dazed city of New Orleans and headed west. Once on the island, she came face to face with the flourishing immorality of Galveston, and she wanted a piece of the pie.

This lady-turned-pimp went straight to work, purchasing various plots of land all over town. Out of her many properties, she chose the corner of Postoffice and 26th Streets to build a grand, multi-bedroom home.

Good Golly Miss Mollie

Although Mollie advertised the structure as a boarding house for women, few were fooled by her charade, and soon, all of Galveston was aware there was a new cathouse in town.

Ms. Waters was a savvy businesswoman who tailored the new construction to her business, down to the last detail.

The house had approximately 14 rooms upstairs, all connected by a long hallway, which helped control the traffic of customers. It also included multiple entrances, one of which had a porch that hid visitors’ faces for those who wanted to remain anonymous. (*cough* married men *cough*)

Ms. Waters knew the direction she wanted to take with her establishment from the get-go. She wasn’t about to run some worn-out joint, this was upscale, prostitution at it’s finest.

While girls working at other ill-reputed houses waited in the parlor for men to venture in, the girl’s at Madam Waters’ wore satin lingerie under evening gowns, and only met with clients by appointment.

The Bordello’s Infamous Madams

Waters made a killing in the business of love and by the time she retired in 1906, she was officially a millionaire. Following her retirement, Waters leased the building to Corinne Pearce who renamed it “The Club.”

Pearce was relentless. While she ran “The Club,” she had a disagreement with a customer and stabbed him to death. She was charged with the murder but ultimately acquitted for her crime.

A few years later, in 1918, the building was put on the market and purchased by Hazel Harvey, who was often referred to as “Mother Harvey” for her maternal attributes and affinity for teaching young men how to dance.

How Love Was Made At Mother Harvey’s

Once Mother Harvey took over, customer satisfaction was taken up a notch. A couple of knocks on the door meant there was a client and the madam would rush to the anteroom to inspect the man through a peephole.

If he passed inspection, he would be led by Harvey to the lavishly decorated sitting room, where he would relax on the beautiful Victorian furniture.

The sitting area included a small bar that only served wine, beer, and whiskey. The client was encouraged to buy a drink or two, and dance a number on the wooden floor before being taken upstairs.

After a quick drink and a two-step, men were led upstairs and - regardless of what service they’d paid for - were given a night to remember. This was all under the strict supervision of the madam of course, who installed transoms above the bedroom doors to make sure the women weren’t being murdered in their boudoirs.

From Mother to Mary

Mother Harvey retired in the 1930s and sold her house to Mary “Gouch-Eye” Russel, who eventually became the most influential madam in Galveston.

Gouch-Eye appealed to students, painting prostitution as a way for women to feel empowered and own their sexuality, rather than as a means for survival.

The women who supplied the increasing demand for sex work on the island made their mark in the city’s controversial history. Unbothered by the social confines of the time, these clever madams proved that you can indeed put a price on love.