The Everleigh Sisters: Those Place's Thursday

Aida Lester Simms was born 21 Feb 1864 in Green County Virginia, US her sister was Minna Simms born13 Jul 1866 in Green County, Virginia. Their parents were, George Warren "Montgomery" Simms (1834-1915) & Virginia "Jennie" Madison (1838-1876).

They owned and ran the Everleigh Club in Chicago, IL, it was a high class brothel. They were shrewd  business women. Below are photos of The Everleigh Club.

Photos from Wikipedia 

The sisters toured brothels in many cities, before they relocated to Chicago. Cleo Maitland, a madam from Washington D.C., suggested they contact Effie Hankins in Chicago. They bought her brothel located at 2131-2133 South Dearborn Street. The sisters fired all the girls and redecorated the entire building, with silk curtains, damask chairs and oriental rugs, mahogany tables, gold rimed china. Perfume fountains in every room. $15,000 gold-leaf piano for the music room, mirrored ceilings, a library filled with books and art.

Once the club opened, Ada who was the quiet one, over saw the cleaning and renovating and all the business transactions. While Minna taught the new girls charm and culture. She was the social butterfly of the two.

The came up with the name Everleigh from their grandmother who always signed her letters "Everly Yours"  Her last name was Early.

Ada in 1895

Minna in 1895

Ada & Minna

(All photos from Wikipedia) 

 In March of 1902 Prince Henry of Prussia came to the United States and visited the club. He came to collect a ship that was built for his brother, German Kaiser Wilhelm II. The sisters planned a bacchanalia for the visiting prince, dancing and dining included.

Chicago Vice Commissioner wanted the Everleigh Club shut down as well as cleaning up the red light district in 1910. He ordered it shut down 24 Oct 1911. The sisters packed up and retired to New York City and retired with an estimated Million Dollars in cash. They traveled to Europe, Ada was 45 years old when the brothel closed and Minna was 47.

Their brothel was torn down in 1933 and now stands a housing Authority's Hillard Homes. (See photo below). Such a shame to lose such a beautiful piece of history, even if it was a brothel.

Ada died in 1960 and Minna died 1948.

Minna said "If it weren't for married men, we couldn't of carried on at all, and if it weren't for cheating married women, we could of made another million."

I found a drink that was made in their honor called Butterfly Punch.

1/4 C spiced run

1/2 C white rum

1/2 C pomegranate liqueur

1 large lemon, thinly sliced

1 bottled chilled demi sec Champagne

Stir first three ingredients together in a pitcher or a punch bowl with ice. Add Champagne and stir gently once more.

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