The name Pearl de Vere resonates through the annals of Colorado history, inextricably linked with the booming gold camps of the Old West. Arriving in Cripple Creek, Colorado, amidst the economic turmoil of the 1893 Silver Panic, Pearl de Vere quickly established herself not merely as a presence, but as a legend.
Before her arrival in Cripple Creek, she was known in Denver as Mrs. Martin, where she had already cultivated a significant fortune through her services to the city’s affluent gentlemen. With Denver’s economy experiencing its first downturn, this astute businesswoman recognized the shifting opportunities and shrewdly redirected her ambitions to the burgeoning gold fields of Cripple Creek, a town ripe with wealth and a demand for sophisticated entertainment.
The Entrepreneurial Rise in Cripple Creek
Upon settling in Cripple Creek, Pearl wasted no time in securing a small frame house on Myers Avenue and promptly opening her establishment. At the age of 31, Pearl de Vere was not only celebrated for her striking red hair and undeniable beauty but also for her formidable will and keen business intellect. While much of her early life remains shrouded in mystery, historical accounts suggest she originated from a respectable family near Evansville, Indiana, who believed her to be a successful dress designer for the area’s wealthy elite.
Pearl’s parlor rapidly became the premier destination for the most prosperous gentlemen in Cripple Creek. Her carefully selected ladies were renowned for their exquisite beauty, impeccable attire, and the strict regimen of monthly medical examinations, ensuring a high standard of discretion and professionalism. Crucially, they were also exceptionally well-compensated, a testament to Pearl’s commitment to quality and the value she placed on her business.
Despite the moral indignation expressed by the “respectable” women of Cripple Creek, Pearl embraced her public profile with characteristic defiance. She frequently paraded through the camp in a small, open carriage, drawn by a team of magnificent black horses. Each outing showcased her in a different, breathtaking costume, designs that were the envy of local women and undeniably captivating to the men who gazed upon her with longing.
Navigating Social Norms and Regulations
The conspicuous presence of Pearl and her ladies on Bennett Avenue, the town’s primary shopping street, sparked considerable controversy. Persistent complaints from the community prompted Marshal Wilson to implement stringent regulations. “The girls” were restricted to shopping during designated “off-hours,” and a monthly tax of six dollars was imposed on each working lady, with madams like Pearl charged sixteen dollars per month. Yet, the continuous influx of wealth into the gold camp meant these measures did little to diminish the popularity or profitability of the parlor houses. Undeterred, Pearl continued her vibrant carriage forays through the streets, with local children often instructed to shield their eyes as she grandly passed by.
Marriage, Disaster, and The Old Homestead’s Grand Rebirth
In 1895, Pearl de Vere married C.B. Flynn, a local mill owner. However, their union did not divert Pearl from her thriving enterprise. Tragically, a mere year after their marriage, a catastrophic fire ravaged Cripple Creek, obliterating Pearl’s business, Flynn’s mill, and a significant portion of the town’s commercial district.
While Flynn, facing financial ruin, sought employment smelting iron and steel in Monterrey, Mexico, Pearl remained resolute in Cripple Creek, fiercely determined to rebuild. And rebuild she did, creating what would become the most opulent and celebrated parlor house the city had ever witnessed. Opening its doors in 1896, this magnificent two-story brick edifice was aptly named “The Old Homestead.”
Pearl spared no expense in crafting its luxurious interior. The opulent parlor boasted wallpaper meticulously imported from Paris, the finest hardwood furniture, rich carpets, shimmering crystal electric chandeliers, and elegant leather-topped gaming tables. Far ahead of its time, The Old Homestead also featured cutting-edge amenities like a telephone, an intercom system, and two fully equipped bathrooms, luxuries virtually unheard of in that era.
An Exclusive Haven for the Elite
With four beautiful girls assisting her, The Old Homestead swiftly garnered a reputation as the most exclusive and talked-about establishment in town. It attracted a discerning, wealthy clientele from as far away as Denver, with prospective guests often required to provide references before admission. At an astonishing $250 a night—a sum so exorbitant that it dwarfed a miner’s typical daily wage of $3—only the exceptionally affluent could afford its unparalleled services, making reservations almost always a necessity.
The Old Homestead became synonymous with lavish parties, featuring exotic tropical flowers, gourmet culinary delights, and the finest wines and spirits. A particularly extravagant event occurred on June 4, 1897, sponsored by a millionaire admirer from Poverty Gulch. Townspeople watched in awe as cases of French champagne, Russian caviar, and Alabama Wild Turkey were delivered, accompanied by two orchestras specially brought in from Denver, setting the stage for what many proclaimed to be “the party to end all parties.” Little did they realize how eerily prophetic this statement would prove to be.
The Tragic End of Pearl de Vere
On that fateful evening, Pearl de Vere herself was a breathtaking vision, adorned in an $800 shell pink chiffon gown, imported from Paris and exquisitely embellished with sequins and delicate seed pearls. Having perhaps indulged in too much drink, she retired to her upstairs bedroom, taking morphine to aid her sleep—a common practice of the period for many.
In the early morning hours of June 5, 1897, one of her girls discovered Pearl unresponsive in her bed, still draped in her magnificent gown, breathing heavily. A doctor was immediately summoned, but it was tragically too late. At the young age of 36, Pearl De Vere passed away.
The official coroner’s report attributed her death to an accidental morphine overdose, intended to induce sleep. While most newspapers of the time reported this as a factual account, at least one publication insinuated suicide. However, the majority of historians dispute the suicide theory, citing Pearl’s unprecedented success and the absence of any apparent reason for her to end her own life.
A Notorious Funeral and Rediscovered Grave
Pearl’s body was transferred to Fairley Bros. and Lampman undertakers. When her relatives were notified, her sister embarked on the long train journey from Indiana. Having believed for years that Pearl worked as a respectable dressmaker, she was utterly shocked upon discovering Pearl’s true profession and her dyed red hair. Incensed by the revelation and the distance she had traveled, she departed in a huff, refusing to take any responsibility for her sister’s remains.
Following this abandonment, it became apparent that Pearl was not as wealthy as the town had widely assumed. Her estate, in fact, lacked sufficient funds for a proper burial. Her devoted clientele proposed auctioning off her splendid French gown to cover the costs. However, before this could be arranged, an anonymous communication arrived from Denver, containing one thousand dollars and the specific instruction that Pearl be buried in her cherished pink gown.
Her funeral was an elaborate and theatrical spectacle. The procession was led by the Elks Band, performing the solemn Death March, and escorted by four mounted policemen. Carriages followed, filled with a diverse assembly of local businessmen, the girls from “The Row,” and numerous miners from the camp. Pearl’s lavender casket, adorned with a blanket of red and white roses, was respectfully lowered into her grave at the foot of Mt. Pisgah Cemetery, initially marked by a simple wooden slab.
The Enduring Legacy of The Old Homestead
Within just a few short years, the memory of Pearl and her humble grave faded into obscurity. It wasn’t until the 1930s, when Cripple Creek began actively promoting tourism through popular
