Josie Arlington
Encyclopedia
Josie Arlington was a brothel madam in the Storyville
district of New Orleans, Louisiana
.
on Customhouse Street in 1895.
The establishment, formally named Chateau Lobrano d'Arlington but locally known as The Arlington, was famous for its opulence. As an expensive "$5.00 House" it offered about ten or twelve girls at any time, as well as a live sex 'circus' that could be viewed for an extra fee. Though it had a reputation for depravity, Josie claimed that no virgin was ever defiled or exploited by her business.
The Arlington was damaged in a fire in 1905. The madam and her girls were taken in temporarily by Tom Anderson, a saloon keeper and friend/lover of Arlington's. Anderson's establishment gained the nickname 'The Arlington Annex' as a result. Arlington closed the business in 1909 and retired. Many of her assets were bought by Tom Anderson.
, in a tomb designed by Albert Weiblen
. The famous grave features a bronze female figure which has been said to leave its post at the door of the monument and walk around the other graves. The grave quickly became a tourist attraction, which left Arlington's family mortified. The body was later moved to another location within the same cemetery.
The monument still stands, and deceased members of the Morales family are now held within it. The bronze female figure is thought to symbolize a virginal girl being turned away from the Arlington door, following Arlington's claim in life that no woman's innocence was taken on the grounds of her establishment.
Storyville
Storyville was the red-light district of New Orleans, Louisiana, from 1897 through 1917. Locals usually simply referred to the area as The District.-History:...
district of New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
.
Early life
Arlington was born Mary Deubler in New Orleans to German parents. Though very attractive and shrewd, Arlington was known to be short-tempered and violent. She began working as a prostitute in 1881, supporting her family on her earnings, and opened a brothelBrothel
Brothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
on Customhouse Street in 1895.
Storyville era
In 1898, when Storyville became established, Arlington moved her operations to a four-story frame mansion 225 North Basin Street. The house, now demolished, can be easily identified by its distinctive onion-domed cupola. Its renovation reportedly cost $5,000.The establishment, formally named Chateau Lobrano d'Arlington but locally known as The Arlington, was famous for its opulence. As an expensive "$5.00 House" it offered about ten or twelve girls at any time, as well as a live sex 'circus' that could be viewed for an extra fee. Though it had a reputation for depravity, Josie claimed that no virgin was ever defiled or exploited by her business.
The Arlington was damaged in a fire in 1905. The madam and her girls were taken in temporarily by Tom Anderson, a saloon keeper and friend/lover of Arlington's. Anderson's establishment gained the nickname 'The Arlington Annex' as a result. Arlington closed the business in 1909 and retired. Many of her assets were bought by Tom Anderson.
Death and burial
Arlington died in 1914 and was buried at Metairie CemeteryMetairie Cemetery
Metairie Cemetery is a cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. The name has caused some people to mistakenly presume that the cemetery is located in Metairie, Louisiana, but it is located within the New Orleans city limits, on Metairie Road .-History:This site was previously a horse...
, in a tomb designed by Albert Weiblen
Albert Weiblen
Albert Weiblen was a German-born American architect and sculptor. His company, the Albert Weiblen Marble & Granite Company, was based in New Orleans and specialized in monuments and burial structures.-Life and career:...
. The famous grave features a bronze female figure which has been said to leave its post at the door of the monument and walk around the other graves. The grave quickly became a tourist attraction, which left Arlington's family mortified. The body was later moved to another location within the same cemetery.
The monument still stands, and deceased members of the Morales family are now held within it. The bronze female figure is thought to symbolize a virginal girl being turned away from the Arlington door, following Arlington's claim in life that no woman's innocence was taken on the grounds of her establishment.