Nevada Brothels
Chicken Ranch
Chicken Ranch (Nevada)Walter Plankinton opened the Nevada Chicken Ranch in 1976,[37] as close to Las Vegas as legally possible. He encountered strong opposition from local law enforcement and other brothel owners.[38] In 1978, the Chicken Ranch was burned to the ground, allegedly by arsonists. The twelve prostitutes and two employees barely survived. Plankinton reopened with a new set of trailers 5 days later.In 1982, Plankinton sold the Chicken Ranch for $1,000,000 to Kenneth Green, a San Francisco businessman, and Russel Reade, an ex-teacher. Reade, who had contributed $25,000 towards the purchase, became the manager. Around 15 women were working at the ranch at that time. On February 8, 2006, the ranch accepted a purchase offer for $5.2 million.
Sheri’s Ranch
Sheri’s Ranch Unlike other brothels in the state, it styles itself as a resort, with upscale rooms and furnishings, sports bar, tennis courts, a spa and outdoor swimming pool. In January 2001, the business was purchased by Chuck Lee, a retired Chicago homicide detective of 20 years, former owner of an AT&T retail store, and car dealership owner from Las Vegas, Nevada. Author Lora Shaner, a former madam of the brothel, wrote a 1998 book about her experiences, Madam: Chronicles of a Nevada Cathouse, reissued and extended in 2001 as Madam: Inside a Nevada Brothel.
Mustang Ranch
The original Mustang Ranch was forfeited to the federal government in 1999 following owner, Joe Conforte’s convictions for tax fraud, racketeering and other crimes. In 2002, the brothel’s furniture, paintings and accessories were auctioned off. The Bureau of Land Management sold the Ranch’s pink stucco structures on eBay in 2003. Bordello owner Lance Gilman purchased the buildings for $145,100 and moved them to his Wild Horse Adult Resort & Spa five miles to the east, where the relocated and extensively renovated buildings eventually became the second brothel located at that complex. However, the rights to the name Mustang Ranch, which Gilman had hoped to use for this new brothel, were tied up in a court battle with David Burgess, the owner of the Old Bridge Ranch, nephew of Joe Conforte, and manager of the Mustang Ranch from 1979 until 1989. In December 2006, a federal judge ruled that Gilman was the “exclusive owner of the Mustang Ranch trademark” giving him the rights to use the name and branding.
Ely City Council restricted brothels to one area on the outskirts in 1959. At one stage the brothels covered three blocks and employed over 400 women. The two remaining brothels are located in “Bronc Alley” red-light district in High Street.
Stardust Ranch
In 1999 the City Council voted 3-2 to shut down the Stardust but Mayor Robert Miller overturned this decision because of the economic benefits the brothel brought to the city.
Big 4 Ranch
One of the oldest brothels in Nevada, it was built in the late 1880s and opened as Rainey’s dance hall. In 1939 it became a brothel, named the “Big 4” after the four men who co-owned it. The brothel closed in 1999 and was bought by the owners of the Stardust Ranch