The hundred or so “establishments” that composed Lemont’s Smokey Row between 1893 and 1897 called themselves saloons, clubs, gambling halls, brothels, or dance halls. They had names like The Standard Club, The Big Casino, The Palace Saloon, The King of Hearts, Ted Boyle’s Place, Jawoski’s Place, Mazzie’s Place, and The Silver Dollar. Typically, in addition to liquor and gambling, women were part of the “trade”, and entertainment such as nude dancing was readily available.

The women and the saloons changed their names as frequently as they changed their clothes.