Arkansas' last whorehouse--destroyed!

Yes, they're going to destroy a 125 years old house. The last vestige of the most colorful and historic era in El Dorado's history. The old house was built around 1880 as a railroad station boarding house. When the oil boom hit south Arkansas a row of clapboard buildings were thrown up along South Washington Avenue and for a few years it took the name Hamburger Row--from the sidewalk hamburger stands. Around 1924-1925 these wooden buildings were taken down and brick buildings replaced them. The old house was the only substantial building on the street at that time. Instead of tearing it down, the builder of the store front on the street raised the building, put in a basement and encased the building with a brick wall completely around it. The second floor was connected to the store front. The building has a central hallway with 5 rooms on each side---It then became a whorehouse and according to locals, used as such until the late 1950s.

When the brick building was removed two weeks ago, the house suddenly reappeared after being encased in brick for nearly 80 years. It has become the biggest tourist attraction in south Arkansas since then. In fact, during the recent investigations, pictures of ghosts, orbs, and other strange occurrences have been documented.

I hate to see it go, but with the "Old is worthless" attitude around here it's domed.

I have personal reasons, since I have recently completed a novel The Queen of Hamburger Row--see earlier blog. It's a shame to lose the only piece of Hamburger Row left. But unless a miracle happens, it'll be chewed up by heavy equipment before the day is out.