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Image 1 of 1: Smokey Row was the most significant red light district in Nashville during the Civil War. Before the war began, Nashville had already gained a reputation for its rampant prostitution. By the 1860s, nearly every building along a four block stretch of Church Street partook in the illicit business. As soldiers and civilians reported an increasing rate of venereal disease, the women of Smokey Row were blamed. After two major failed attempts to rid the city of prostitutes, Nashville Provost Marshal Lieutenant Colonel George Spalding (1836-1915) instituted a system of licensed prostitution.
Smokey Row was the most significant red light district in Nashville during the Civil War. Before the war began, Nashville had already gained a reputation for its rampant prostitution. By the 1860s, nearly every building along a four block stretch of Church Street partook in the illicit business. As soldiers and civilians reported an increasing rate of venereal disease, the women of Smokey Row were blamed. After two major failed attempts to rid the city of prostitutes, Nashville Provost Marshal Lieutenant Colonel George Spalding (1836-1915) instituted a system of licensed prostitution.

Smokey Row was the most significant red light district in Nashville during the Civil War. Before the war began, Nashville had already gained a reputation for its rampant prostitution. By the 1860s, nearly every building along a four block stretch of Church Street partook in the illicit business. As soldiers and civilians reported an increasing rate of venereal disease, the women of Smokey Row were blamed. After two major failed attempts to rid the city of prostitutes, Nashville Provost Marshal Lieutenant Colonel George Spalding (1836-1915) instituted a system of licensed prostitution.

Smokey Row

36.16369, -86.77884

Description

Smokey Row was the most significant red light district in Nashville during the Civil War. Before the war began, Nashville had already gained a reputation for its rampant prostitution. By the 1860s, nearly every building along a four block stretch of Church Street partook in the illicit business. As soldiers and civilians reported an increasing rate of venereal disease, the women of Smokey Row were blamed. After two major failed attempts to rid the city of prostitutes, Nashville Provost Marshal Lieutenant Colonel George Spalding (1836-1915) instituted a system of licensed prostitution.

Title Smokey Row
Creator Nashville Historical Foundation
Author Kelsey Lamkin, MTSU Student; 2018
Date 1860s
Address Church Street on First, Second, Third, and Fourth Avenues, Nashville, TN, 37219
Type District
Coverage Area 1
Source Various
Contributor Martha Reeder; Rebecca Higgins; Eliza Higgins; Union Army; George Spalding
Subject Civil War and Reconstruction; Crime; Downtown; Sexuality
Keywords Buildings, Prostitution, Smokey Row
Rights CC BY-NC 4.0