From the Alamo to the Astrodome, the history  of Texas is filled with colorful and legendary institutions.  Possibly the most interesting and unique is the world famous and historic Chicken Ranch of La Grange.  With its roots in the frontier days before Texas became a state, this fascinating brothel grew, changed and developed with the land and its people over the ensuing 130 years.

The Chicken Ranch - the oldest continuing brothel in the United States - served over six generations of Americans in Texas during a transitional period that stretched from cowboys to astronauts.  Those who sought the favors of the working girls included farmers, cowboys, ranchers, soldiers, politicians, businessmen and just “plain folk.”  Today, The Chicken Ranch is comfortably settled in its new location in Pahrump, Nevada, just outside of Las Vegas.  Following is an analysis of three distinct stages in the life of The Chicken Ranch - together they weave a tale that exemplifies traditional American initiative and enterprise at their finest.