Historic Homes of Denver: Historic Homes and Buildings - Jennie Rogers & the House of Mirrors

Jennie Rogers was one of Denver's early "Madams" and she had a temper.  Jennie Rogers was a tall, pretty woman.  Standing 6 feet tall, she never hesitated to use her stature to ruthlessly intimidate and blackmail Denver businessmen that had visited her "soiled doves".

Jennie Rogers once went so far as to bury a human skull in the backyard of one of her customers yards.  Jennie's lover was the Denver's Police Chief, and he "discovered" the skull.   The man faced legal prosecution, or, handing over a ton of hush money to Jennie Rogers.  The man paid Jennie the money.
                                                                                                     
With the money that she got from the episode with the skull, Jennie Rogers built a 2 story building at 1942 Market St that became a luxury brothel called the "House of Mirrors".  It opened for business in 1889 with 16 bedrooms, four parlors, a ballroom and was finished with ornate woodwork, crystal chandeliers, expensive oriental carpets and lace curtains.  It got the name "House of Mirrors" because of the mirrors on the ceilings and walls of the front parlor.

Early brothel's in Denver were quite brazen.  Being little more than tents or tepees along Cherry Creek.  Denver's original prostitutes were Indian women.  The first white woman to become a "soiled dove" in Denver was the 19 year old former wife of a minister.  The girls became known by names such as Mormon Ann, Red Stockings, Liver-Lip Lou, Cockeyed Liz and more.  Early whore houses would posts signs that said such things as:

         "Men Taken in and Done For"

Consequently, when Jennie Rogers built the House of Mirrors, it became a very popular Parlor House and created a rivalry in competitor Mattie Silks.
Mattie Silks was a Denver Madame and in 1911 Jennie Rogers sold the House of Mirrors to her.                                                        


Only the most beautiful women worked at the House of Mirrors.   Bouncers protected the girls, and the parlors were enjoyable and comfortable areas with fine dining, piano players, bartenders and gambling tables.

City Police and officials were regular customers, and thus looked the other way.  The House of Mirrors was a busy and popular place for over two decades until the citizens of Denver advocated moral reform and the House of Mirrors was closed. 
                                                                       







Sold many times since closing as a brother, the House of Mirrors has been used in many capacities.  At one point the House of Mirrors was used as a Buddhist Temple.  Today, however, the House of Mirrors can be visited as a popular Denver tourist destination.