Green Lantern
95 High St. Ely Nevada 89301
Ely is a city of 5000 in eastern Nevada. Brothels have operated in the Ely community for over 100 years. They did not become legal until 1959, when the Ely city council passed an ordinance that restricted the red-light district to an area on the outskirts of the city, near the railroad tracks. At one time the brothels extended three blocks and had more than 400 working ladies; but in recent years only the Stardust, Green Lantern, and Big 4 have been active. They operated in Ely’s “Bronc Alley” red light district on High St.
The Big 4 is the oldest Ely brothel and one of the oldest brothels in the state. It was probably built in the late 1800’s. It started out as a dance hall named Rainey’s, then in the 1930’s it changed it’s name to Big 4 because the brothel was co-owned by four men. The house was small and usually had less than five ladies. The Green Lantern began operations in the 1950’s. It was the most impressive of the three houses. It had a large bar and more women than the other two houses. It was shut down for a short time in 1995 on drug related charges. The Green Lantern and Big 4 permanently closed a couple years ago. The owner of the Stardust Ranch bought the Big Four, but has no plans to reopen it.
Today the Stardust is the only brothel that is still open. The Stardust was nearly shut down in August 1999 after the city council voted 3-2 to close down to the brothel. Mayor Robert Miller vetoed the city council because of the economic benefits from tourists, customers, and brothel employees.
[siblings]