The Dumas Brothel
Butte, Montana’s red-light district comes back from the dead at this historically haunted bordello
Ghost Stories of
Dumas Brothel
- Disembodied voices and whispers are heard
- Apparitions and shadow figures are encountered
- Unknown forms purportedly appear in photos taken in the building
- Sudden feelings of sadness and unease are encountered in the basement
- Strange knocks and thumps have been heard in the building at night
A Wild West Staple:
History of Dumas Brothel
When someone thinks of a classic Old West town, they probably picture a saloon, a blacksmith, and a town jail. But there’s one other fixture of 1800s-era Old West towns that many people forget: the brothel.
In many western American towns, prostitution was once as big a business as gold mining or oil drilling.
These days, many historic brothels are long gone, due to a lack of interest in preservation. But in Butte, Montana, the Dumas Brothel’s firm brick frame still stands.
The nearly forgotten hotel was once the longest operating bordello in the entire US. And though its bedrooms are empty now, one thing remains the same. Dumas Brothel still comes alive at night.
Timeline of The Dumas Brothel's History
Swipe or use timeline points to see The Dumas Brothel through the years
1890
Built in 1890, Dumas Brothel began life in what was then a rough mining community. Butte’s resident miners often took to spending much or all of their pay at local brothels and saloons. At Dumas, the first floor operated as an inviting social parlor. Meanwhile, employed ladies entertained their patrons in the upstairs bedrooms. While Butte was home to many bordellos, Dumas stood out from the other local establishments. It quickly became known for catering to more elite clientele and offering higher quality service.
1900
Somewhere between 1900 and 1910, Dumas Brothel expanded their operations. While at first, bedrooms were only on the second floor, the basement was redone into partitioned “cribs” in this era. These tiny, simple rooms allowed Dumas to cater to lower class citizens while still keeping the upstairs rooms exclusive. These updates helped keep Dumas successful through the early 1900s. During this time, many other brothels in the west closed as prostitution was progressively banned.
1943
The basement cribs closed in 1943, but the rest of the business continued to thrive. Even as Montana outlawed prostitution, operators at Dumas paid police to allow the business to stay open. This kept Dumas’ doors open all the way until 1982, when charges of tax evasion shuttered the operation for good. In the years since, owners have tried opening museums and other businesses inside. But it remains largely unused as of 2025. At least, unused by the living. Ghosts of old world Butte apparently still make lively use of the old building.
Is Dumas Brothel Haunted?
The most common reports of paranormal activity at Dumas Brothel are of mysterious apparitions. Many visitors claim to see a woman’s figure lingering through the halls and rooms on the second floor.
Not much is known about this woman, but she is thought to be an early 1900s prostitute who committed suicide in the building. Some witnesses say that the woman will often be seen carrying a large package or suitcase as she drifts by.
Dumas Brothel’s Phantom Prostitutes
Other shadowy forms can purportedly be spotted all through Dumas Brothel.
Most of the time, these shadow figures are largely featureless silhouettes. But, some visitors and past owners note encounters with shadow figures wearing hats or trailing long dresses behind them. Beyond that, however, these forms never seem to have identifying features.
Sometimes, even when not visible to the naked eye, Dumas’ phantoms may still appear in photos taken in the building.
Photos taken around the brothel sometimes show odd anomalies. Often, these forms are nothing more than balls or blobs of shadow. But, they will disappear mysteriously even if another photo is taken moments later.
Ghostly Whispers & Sudden Knocks
Strange sounds are another common report at Dumas Brothel. Plenty of tourists and ghost hunters claim to hear soft, whispering voices around the building. Purportedly, it often sounds like secrets being shared from the brothel’s employed ladies.
Additionally, strange knocks and thumps are also frequently noted. Many ghost hunters who explore the brothel record these bumping knocks, only to investigate the areas and find empty rooms and halls.
Cribs Give Some Visitors the Creeps
At times, the Dumas ghosts manifest through sudden mood changes. People will sometimes report intense feelings of heaviness or sadness when touring the building.
Most often, this is encountered in the basement, close to the old cribs. The cribs were the roughest areas of the brothel during its operation. Many witnesses figure the feelings to be residual energy from the spirits down there.
Dumas Brothel:
Butte’s Most Haunted?
Over forty years after it closed its doors, Dumas Brothel’s history endures. And it has its ghosts to thank for that. Ghost stories are some of the biggest draws to Dumas Brothel today. Few tours are able to take place in the building now, but nighttime ghost hunts are still a popular offering.
Anyone interested in booking their own exploration at Dumas Brothel can reach out to them at info@hauntedbrothel.com or via their website.
Investigators from far and wide travel to Butte hoping to capture the building’s unexplained activity on record. Dumas Brothel is quickly becoming one of the more well-known spooky stop offs in all of Montana. And between reports of shadow figures and claims of unknown bumps in the night, it’s easy to see why.
The Dumas ghosts sure seem to know how to make an evening memorable.
