In this episode I intervew Author Amberrose Hammond on the subject of prostitution and madams of the Gilded Age in Grand Rapids, and also cover a few stories of Kalamazoo and Grand Haven.  The Gilded Age refers to the period of time between the end of the Civil War, and the turn of the century where there was an economic boom, but it implies that underneath the glitter and gilded surface of the era, there were still a lot of troublesome issues that marked the time, such as poverty, unemployment and corruption.  

In the city of Grand Rapids, between 1885 to 1900, there was a rise in houses of prostitution in the city run by madams, and funded by a network of Johns and silent partners, creating a lot of intrique.  Many of the stories Amberrose reveals come from her research into her book: Wicked Grand Rapids, which is available online.

For more information on Amberrose Hammond, visit: https://mysteriousmichigan.com/

To purchase her book: Wicked Grand Rapids: click here

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/