Diamond Street: The Story of the Little Town With the Big Red Light District

From Library Journal
Hudson, New York, population 8000, is a town whose handsome Colonial and Victorian architecture boasts a grander past. Hudson was first an important port and then a successful industrial city. One of its most lucrative industries was prostitution, and from the 1780s until state police closed down its operations in 1950, Hudson was known far and wide as the place to go for a good time. This work chronicles the history of prostitution in Hudson, along with the social conditions and political corruption that allowed it to flourish. Hall has produced a lively and engaging local history, written in a conspiratorial tone that immediately draws in the reader. His liberal use of anecdotes gleaned from interviews and personal papers and 40 period photographs enliven this tale of sin in a small town. Essential for regional collections and an entertaining addition to social history collections.Wendy Knickerbocker, Rhode Island Coll. Lib., ProvidenceCopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
The true story of Hudson, New York..."Hat" Benton had black girls and white customers. Evelyn Whites' brothel had walls lined in velevt. Mae Healey's operation was "sponsored" by the brother of a local VIP and Vera Faith ran an ad in a local charity program. It read "Vera's. Come on up boys. Sports mercahndise." That said it all.


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Hudson, New York, population 8000, is a town whose handsome Colonial and Victorian architecture boasts a grander past. Hudson was first an important port and then a successful industrial city. One of its most lucrative industries was prostitution, and from the 1780s until state police closed down its operations in 1950, Hudson was known far and wide as the place to go for a good time. This work chronicles the history of prostitution in Hudson, along with the social conditions and political corruption that allowed it to flourish. Hall has produced a lively and engaging local history, written in a conspiratorial tone that immediately draws in the reader. His liberal use of anecdotes gleaned from interviews and personal papers and 40 period photographs enliven this tale of sin in a small town. Essential for regional collections and an entertaining addition to social history collections.-Wendy Knickerbocker, Rhode Island Coll. Lib., Providence


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