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EspañolANNA WILSON (MADAME)
(Redirected from Anna Wilson (Omaha))
'Anna Wilson' (May 27, 1835 - October 27, 1911) was a pioneer madame in Omaha, Nebraska. When she died she bequeathed her life savings to the City of Omaha, along with her 25-room mansion brothel, which was used as a hospital.[1] Wilson was responsible for "establishing Omaha's first serious comfort station", and was known as the "Queen of the Underworld."[2]
Little is known about Wilson's early life. Unsubstantiated rumors circulated around Omaha that she was born into an aristocratic Southern family. Wilson and her long-time partner, Dan Allen, were together in 1870, when famous Lincoln prostitute Josie Washburn worked for her.[3] Wilson reportedly assumed the role of a parent if one of the prostitutes that worked for her got married, including paying the wedding expenses.[4]
After Allan died Wilson started investing in real estate. She amassed a large amount of money, and according to one account, half her fortune was made in the last ten years of her life from the purchase and sale of real estate.[2]
By 1886, her initial career choice provided sufficient funds for her to build a 25-room mansion at 912 Douglas Street. It was a three-story, 25-room building with racy artwork.[4] She lived there until she left what was known as "the Sporting District". Wilson bequeathed the famous gabled brothel on Douglas Street to the city when she died in 1911. It became the City Emergency Hospital and for many years served as a communicable-disease treatment center. In return Wilson asked for only $125.00 a month rent until her death. The building has since been razed.[2]
In 1910 Wilson moved to a fine home at 2018 Wirt Street in the fashionable Kountze Park neighborhood in North Omaha. Anna, who was 76-years-old when she died, was said to be worth upwards of a million dollars, and claimed she didn't have one relative in the world.
Wilson is buried in Omaha's Prospect Hill Cemetery next to Dan Allen. In her will, Wilson made a clause that she should be buried under nine feet of concrete, so that the "respectable" society women of the town didn't disinter her body from her resting place by Allen and move it out of Prospect Hill.[8] An immense polished stone in the dimensions of a king-size bed rests over the double graves of Wilson and Allen.[2]
Following Anna's death, on each Memorial Day, a wreath was laid at this very spot by Mrs. Thomas L. Kimball because of Anna's generosity over the years toward the Creche Home for Children. Mrs. Kimball's son, Thomas Kimball Rogers, continued the tradition. Thomas was a prominent architect whose buildings include St. Cecilia's Cathedral, the old Public Library, and Burlington Station. After his death in 1934, the tradition stopped--and yet--over the years there have been many reports of flowers left on Memorial Day.[10]
Today the Prospect Hill Preservation Society celebrates Wilson with an annual Memorial Day event. In 2007 they held a Dixieland-style concert with music, readings and more.(2007) "Your guide to summer fun in the Midlands". ''Omaha World-Herald''. 5/17/07. Retrieved 7/18/07. The Durham Western Heritage Museum also offers tours related to the story of Anna Wilson, along with other notorious characters from the "Gritty City".[11]
★ History of Omaha
★ Founding figures of Omaha, Nebraska
1. (nd) "Founding of Omaha Subject of NET Television’s “Omaha’s First Families”". Nebraska Public Television. Retrieved 7/18/07.
2. Sherr, L. and Kazickas, J. (1994) ''Susan B. Anthony Slept Here: A Guide to American Women's Landmarks''. New York: Random House/Times Books.
3. Washburn, J. (1997) ''The Underworld Sewer: A Prostitute Reflects on Life in the Trade, 1871-1909.'' University of Nebraska Press. p. vii.
4. Palmer, J. (2006) "Omaha's Hidden History," ''Omaha World-Herald''. 9/3/06. Retrieved 7/18/07.
5. Sherr, L. and Kazickas, J. (1994) ''Susan B. Anthony Slept Here: A Guide to American Women's Landmarks''. New York: Random House/Times Books.
6. Palmer, J. (2006) "Omaha's Hidden History," ''Omaha World-Herald''. 9/3/06. Retrieved 7/18/07.
7. Sherr, L. and Kazickas, J. (1994) ''Susan B. Anthony Slept Here: A Guide to American Women's Landmarks''. New York: Random House/Times Books.
8. (nd) Prospect Hill Cemetery. City of Omaha Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission. Retrieved 7/18/07.
9. Sherr, L. and Kazickas, J. (1994) ''Susan B. Anthony Slept Here: A Guide to American Women's Landmarks''. New York: Random House/Times Books.
10. Dawes, M. (2007) Anna Wilson. Graveyards of Omaha. Retrieved 7/18/07.
11. (nd) "Durham Western Heritage Museum's Gritty-City tours" UNMC Today. Retrieved 7/18/07.
★ Anna Wilson's Grave on FindAGrave.com
'Anna Wilson' (May 27, 1835 - October 27, 1911) was a pioneer madame in Omaha, Nebraska. When she died she bequeathed her life savings to the City of Omaha, along with her 25-room mansion brothel, which was used as a hospital.[1] Wilson was responsible for "establishing Omaha's first serious comfort station", and was known as the "Queen of the Underworld."[2]
| Contents |
| Biography |
| Legacy |
| See also |
| References |
| External links |
Biography
Little is known about Wilson's early life. Unsubstantiated rumors circulated around Omaha that she was born into an aristocratic Southern family. Wilson and her long-time partner, Dan Allen, were together in 1870, when famous Lincoln prostitute Josie Washburn worked for her.[3] Wilson reportedly assumed the role of a parent if one of the prostitutes that worked for her got married, including paying the wedding expenses.[4]
After Allan died Wilson started investing in real estate. She amassed a large amount of money, and according to one account, half her fortune was made in the last ten years of her life from the purchase and sale of real estate.[2]
By 1886, her initial career choice provided sufficient funds for her to build a 25-room mansion at 912 Douglas Street. It was a three-story, 25-room building with racy artwork.[4] She lived there until she left what was known as "the Sporting District". Wilson bequeathed the famous gabled brothel on Douglas Street to the city when she died in 1911. It became the City Emergency Hospital and for many years served as a communicable-disease treatment center. In return Wilson asked for only $125.00 a month rent until her death. The building has since been razed.[2]
In 1910 Wilson moved to a fine home at 2018 Wirt Street in the fashionable Kountze Park neighborhood in North Omaha. Anna, who was 76-years-old when she died, was said to be worth upwards of a million dollars, and claimed she didn't have one relative in the world.
Wilson is buried in Omaha's Prospect Hill Cemetery next to Dan Allen. In her will, Wilson made a clause that she should be buried under nine feet of concrete, so that the "respectable" society women of the town didn't disinter her body from her resting place by Allen and move it out of Prospect Hill.[8] An immense polished stone in the dimensions of a king-size bed rests over the double graves of Wilson and Allen.[2]
Legacy
Following Anna's death, on each Memorial Day, a wreath was laid at this very spot by Mrs. Thomas L. Kimball because of Anna's generosity over the years toward the Creche Home for Children. Mrs. Kimball's son, Thomas Kimball Rogers, continued the tradition. Thomas was a prominent architect whose buildings include St. Cecilia's Cathedral, the old Public Library, and Burlington Station. After his death in 1934, the tradition stopped--and yet--over the years there have been many reports of flowers left on Memorial Day.[10]
Today the Prospect Hill Preservation Society celebrates Wilson with an annual Memorial Day event. In 2007 they held a Dixieland-style concert with music, readings and more.(2007) "Your guide to summer fun in the Midlands". ''Omaha World-Herald''. 5/17/07. Retrieved 7/18/07. The Durham Western Heritage Museum also offers tours related to the story of Anna Wilson, along with other notorious characters from the "Gritty City".[11]
See also
★ History of Omaha
★ Founding figures of Omaha, Nebraska
References
1. (nd) "Founding of Omaha Subject of NET Television’s “Omaha’s First Families”". Nebraska Public Television. Retrieved 7/18/07.
2. Sherr, L. and Kazickas, J. (1994) ''Susan B. Anthony Slept Here: A Guide to American Women's Landmarks''. New York: Random House/Times Books.
3. Washburn, J. (1997) ''The Underworld Sewer: A Prostitute Reflects on Life in the Trade, 1871-1909.'' University of Nebraska Press. p. vii.
4. Palmer, J. (2006) "Omaha's Hidden History," ''Omaha World-Herald''. 9/3/06. Retrieved 7/18/07.
5. Sherr, L. and Kazickas, J. (1994) ''Susan B. Anthony Slept Here: A Guide to American Women's Landmarks''. New York: Random House/Times Books.
6. Palmer, J. (2006) "Omaha's Hidden History," ''Omaha World-Herald''. 9/3/06. Retrieved 7/18/07.
7. Sherr, L. and Kazickas, J. (1994) ''Susan B. Anthony Slept Here: A Guide to American Women's Landmarks''. New York: Random House/Times Books.
8. (nd) Prospect Hill Cemetery. City of Omaha Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission. Retrieved 7/18/07.
9. Sherr, L. and Kazickas, J. (1994) ''Susan B. Anthony Slept Here: A Guide to American Women's Landmarks''. New York: Random House/Times Books.
10. Dawes, M. (2007) Anna Wilson. Graveyards of Omaha. Retrieved 7/18/07.
11. (nd) "Durham Western Heritage Museum's Gritty-City tours" UNMC Today. Retrieved 7/18/07.
External links
★ Anna Wilson's Grave on FindAGrave.com
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