50 Years Ago July-August: The Chicken Ranch Closed

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TxTarpon
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8:37a, 8/1/23
ABC 13 Video Link

[url=https://abc13.com/marvin-zindler-chicken-ranch-best-little-*****house-in-texas-la-grange/13578568/][/url]
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50 years ago: ABC13's Marvin Zinder investigated the Chicken Ranch in 1973 Marvin Zindler's investigation into prostitution inspired 'The Best Little *****house in Texas'

The expose that aired in late July and early August of 1973 launched Marvin's legendary career as an investigative reporter. The story it revealed it inspired the Broadway musical and movie, "The Best Little *****house in Texas," ultimately starring Dolly Parton, Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise. Texas' own ZZ Top paid homage to the story with a wink and a nod in the song "La Grange," also released in 1973.

It all started when Action 13 received an anonymous complaint about alleged houses of prostitution. Marvin Zindler enlisted the help of ABC13 photographer Larry Conners, who approached Edna Milton -- the madam of the ranch -- on camera about the type of business she was conducting on the property.




Winners of the aTm vs tu game got a treat there after the game.
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BQ78
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9:17a, 8/1/23
AG
I've been told Brenham was preferred by Aggies. Free beer while you waited, as opposed to Miss Edna who charged.
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p_bubel
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9:25a, 8/1/23
I've always been surprised by how recent some of these brothels operated out in the open. San Antonio didn't have its "Sporting District", one of the largest in the nation, shut down until the Second World War.
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Rabid Cougar
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10:01a, 8/1/23
AG
Waco lost theirs, The Reservation or Two Street, in 1917 when the the War Department chose Waco for Camp MacArthur. Told the city to clean it up or miss out. City was making $12,000 a year on licenses and fees.

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BillYeoman
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12:43p, 8/1/23
I heard Post Office St in Galveston had more prostitutes per capita than any other city in the world at one time
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aalan94
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5:04p, 8/1/23
AG
In fact, it was NOT Marvin Zindler who first reported on the Chicken Ranch. A friend of mine (older lady) was a student reporter at Texas State University, and they basically wrote the stories that alerted Zindler to the ranch. Of course, it was an open secret, but until the student journalists covered it, no one in the big publications/media had gone there.

edit: Texas State, which was Southwest Texas State at the time.
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TRD-Ferguson
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5:42p, 8/1/23
AG
No love for the one west of Sealy???
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Gunny456
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In reply to TRD-Ferguson • 7:54p, 8/1/23
MAROON
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9:17p, 8/1/23
AG
I think it's funny they claim Zinder uncovered them. Hell everyone was fully aware they existed. The one in Sealy was literally on the I-10 service road
What do you boys want for breakfast BBQ ?.....OK Chili.
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chick79
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9:57p, 8/1/23
AG
When I was in high school in the early 70s there were massage parlors (aka brothels) in Frisco. At the time Frisco was a one traffic light town of about 5,000.
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Bighunter43
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In reply to TRD-Ferguson • 6:37a, 8/2/23
AG
TRD-Ferguson said:
No love for the one west of Sealy???


That would be the Wagon Wheel Motel.....we used to take our hats off in remembrance when we passed by on the way to coaching school in Houston. In addition, I remember many times in the 70's seeing Sheriff JT Flournoy drinking coffee at "his" booth at the Bon Ton in La Grange!
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TxTarpon
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In reply to chick79 • 1:12p, 8/2/23
chick79 said:
When I was in high school in the early 70s there were massage parlors (aka brothels) in Frisco. At the time Frisco was a one traffic light town of about 5,000.
So true!
Oh I heard the stories and saw the structures of some that remained years later.
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BQ78
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In reply to TxTarpon • 1:25p, 8/2/23
AG
And the high school mascot was the coons!

Those days are long over, man.
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CanyonAg77
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10:37a, 8/3/23
AG
Anyone heard the rumor that Zindler requested male prostitutes and shutting it down because they wouldn't accommodate him?
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BigJim49 AustinNowDallas
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11:59a, 8/3/23
AG
Hattie's in south Austin on the old San Antonio road was famous for many years!
BigJim49AustinnowDallas
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Cen-Tex
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12:46p, 8/3/23
AG
In 1973, when the Chicken Ranch was making state and national news, the radio station in La Grange offered locals the opportunity to call-in and voice their opinion about the closing. There were a few callers that were in favor of the closing, but the majority voiced concern mainly about 'outsiders' meddling in local affairs. I recall a woman calling in to the radio station stating that when she is sick and can't perform her 'wifely duties', it gives her husband a place where he can get relief.
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ChoppinDs40
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In reply to chick79 • 10:12p, 8/16/23
AG
chick79 said:
When I was in high school in the early 70s there were massage parlors (aka brothels) in Frisco. At the time Frisco was a one traffic light town of about 5,000.


The one across from La Hacienda still stood and operated until the early 90s.

I was born in 87 and grew up around Frisco. I remember it vividly.
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Jugstore Cowboy
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8:45a, 8/19/23
AG
This guy who wrote "Inside the Texas Chicken Ranch" used to post here:

https://www.jaymeblaschke.com/

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AggieZUUL
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In reply to Rabid Cougar • 11:30a, 9/1/23
AG
Rabid Cougar said:
Waco lost theirs, The Reservation or Two Street, in 1917 when the the War Department chose Waco for Camp MacArthur. Told the city to clean it up or miss out. City was making $12,000 a year on licenses and fees.


adjusted it a bit for ya...



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Bunk Moreland
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In reply to p_bubel • 9:56p, 9/4/23
p_bubel said:
I've always been surprised by how recent some of these brothels operated out in the open. San Antonio didn't have its "Sporting District", one of the largest in the nation, shut down until the Second World War.


https://www.clarionledger.com/story/magnolia/2019/11/13/natchez-mississippi-brothel-owner-nellie-jackson-mississippi-madam/4164682002/

One in Natchez ran until 1990 when a drunk customer who was refused service showed back up and lot the 87 year old madam on fire (and himself by accident)
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gigem70
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6:23p, 9/20/23
AG
I heard from " a friend " that the one outside of Brendam was far superior to the Chicken Ranch.
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Ciboag96
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8:12p, 9/20/23
Where was the one "outside Brenham" located?
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Build It
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4:42p, 9/30/23
AG
A neighboring ranch is currently for sale. Used to be a fly in hunting ranch. All the photos of the guests in "clown cars" being driven to the chicken ranch still hang in the old lodge.

I didn't buy it but it was a really cool visit.

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