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FIRST 60 YEARS - ESTABLISHING A LEGACY (1844-1904)
Prior to becoming a state, the Republic of Texas was dominated by strong leaders
such as Sam Houston and a changing population as Easterners moved west and
immigrants from Central Europe migrated to the new land to escape famine and
persecution.
It was against this background of frontierism and social change that a brothel - which
was not to become known as The Chicken Ranch until the 1930s - opened its doors
and beds to accommodate and serve the local farmers, ranchers and cowboys.
During the Civil War, soldiers from generals to privates got a brief respite from
fighting by visiting the brothel and enjoying a little rest and relaxation. Following the
War, cowboys on long cattle drives found the brothel a pleasant diversion from the dust on the trail. The brothel
became an integral part of the life and times of Texas’ early frontier heritage.
A TALE OF TWO WOMEN (1905-1973)
The modern history and the evolution of the still unnamed brothel into a famous
Texas institution began in 1905 with the arrival of Ms. Faye Stewart (alias Jessie
Williams and renowned as Miss Jessie) as its new owner and Madam - a description
which fit her in the classic sense. Over the next 40 years, this dynamic woman -
described as strong, generous and smart with a country rough-hewn charm but
shrewd with a backwoods tenacity - brought the brothel into the modern era and
made it a profitable business. She sowed the seeds for future success by making
peace with the community - and most importantly - with law enforcement officers.
By becoming a friend, ally and supporter of the Loessin brothers - who would reign as
Faye County Sheriffs for the next four decades, she ensured that the illegal brothel would operate without legal
interference.
During her tenure as Madam, she instigated the brothel’s philanthropic policy of supporting local charities and the local
business community. During the Great War (World War I), she sent cookies to local residents fighting overseas. She also
began the practice of having the girls receive weekly health check-ups (which is currently a requirement for a legal
brothel).
Ms. Jessie also was responsible for moving the brothel from a battered downtown
hotel in 1915 to its permanent location in La Grange - a sprawling white structure set
among live oaks at the end of a gravel road on an 11-acre site midway between
Houston and Austin. And, during her tenure as Madam, the brothel received its name
“The Chicken Ranch”. During the great depression of the 1930s, money was scarce so
Miss Jessie allowed the ladies to accept produce and livestock in lieu of cash. As a
result, the brothel had so many Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds in its backyard that
they raised poultry to supplement their income and food supply. From this chicken
barter system, the legendary name evolved.
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