Prostitution

When people began leaving the river valley for the prairie level, Coalbanks became known as "the bottoms". This area was composed of a predominantly male population and their substantial mining payroll attracted numerous ladies of ill repute who were willing to sell sex for money. Earlier prostitution was provided by the near-by native tribes whose men would sometimes bring their daughters or wives to prostitute themselves for money. Later in the 1890's, as economic depression was felt, Lethbridge became a single resource town - a miners town. This provided the right conditions for the unofficial establishment of a red light district called "The Point". The Point was a segregated district occupied solely by brothels, and its success varied with the local economy. At its peak, near the turn of the century, up to 40 prostitutes worked in the brothels. Over the years the district would change locations, but a separate area for prostitution would remain in Lethbridge until 1944.

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