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Back in the day…

Gun-toting entrepreneur, Fanny Ramsley, made her way to Drumheller in 1917 to run one of the most successful bawdy houses in town. Despite the illegality of her trade, Fanny was a strong figure in the community and well known to have a heart of gold. She took great pride in this valley, donating to worthy causes, supporting destitute families, and even walking around town during the flu epidemic, calling into homes to give a shot of liquor to the sick. Her establishment was top-drawer, she kept a nice place, customers minded their manners, and the gentlemen who entered knew they had to be on their finest behaviour.

It wasn’t easy for Fanny to keep up this business and spread her hard earned wealth throughout town. She was constantly being raided by police, fined large sums of money for possessing alcohol or having girls in her house, and without any causing of trouble, she would continuously get shut down. In 1937, Fanny’s life was threatened when she was the target of extortion.

As the coal mines shut down and miners left the valley, her lucrative business eventually came to a halt, the government seized her assets, and demolished her house. Fanny died destitute at the age of 65, her funeral is said to be one of the most well attended in Drumheller.

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Back in the day…

One of the most controversial, but lucrative, establishments in the early days of Drumheller were run by the Fancy Ladies, luring in almost every man, married or single, that lived or passed through the valley. The brothels are where the little city came to life with the sound of music and the smell of delicious home cooking, liquor was flowing and gambling a plenty. But most importantly, these places brought everyone the opportunity to spend time in the company of a lady.

Drumheller was known to some of the biggest cat houses in Alberta. Located in the bush of Newcastle flats, was one particularly popular establishment known as the Blue Light, which was set up like a dance hall and both women and gambling were available for those with money. On pay day weekends, hundreds of ladies came to town on the train and worked throughout town. These eventful occasions were known there as the Blue Light Special, so alluring that there would be lineups outside the doors.

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So the story goes…

Every second Saturday, downtown Drumheller turned into a bustling little metropolis. The streets were thronged with thousands of people of all nationalities standing shoulder to shoulder, all with fresh money in their pockets. It all led to trouble. It was Pay Day!

It was a grand day of celebrations, miners and their families gathered from all the camps and communities to collect their earnings. Merchants, bars, and other business establishments drew money from the banks and assisted in cashing cheques, getting some outstanding tabs paid along the way. Some were quick and eager to spend their hard earned dollars, and some were eager to get back home as quickly as possible.

Everyone was well aware that any man who ventured into the streets alone on Pay Day was asking to be mugged, or even murdered. It was quite common in those days to be piped over the head or held up at gunpoint after cashing in, money stolen and body battered. Each Pay Day saw countless robberies, and at least a few murders. The Mounties and Police force watched on and tried to keep the piece, but in this village, with its notorious reputation, there was no stopping all the misconduct that occurred.