This will probably come as a huge disappointment to you (I know, me too), but the Chicken Ranch no longer exists. At least, not in Texas. There is one in Nevada though.
Started in 1844, the Texas Chicken Ranch ended up being a well-known brothel that looked like a regular old Texas farmhouse with chicken in the yard.
Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas 1937
Interesting facts:
- the local sheriff would visit the brothel every night to catch up on gossip and to hear if any of the patrons had boasted about committing any crimes. Many local crimes were solved this way.
- During the Great Depression, business suffered, so the “poultry standard” was implemented, where they charged one chicken per sexual act. They had a chicken explosion, thus earning the name “Chicken Ranch” and the madam was able to supplement their income by selling eggs and the extra chickens.
- When a new sheriff came into office, he had a telephone installed at the ranch so he could continue the tradition of checking in to get information on local crime and gossip.
- The “girls” were prohibited from drinking, getting tattoos and from going to bars and cafes in town.
- Local military bases and colleges sent men regularly to the ranch for a good time.
- Many of the “girls” were often University of Texas students.
- Prostitution was illegal in Texas.
The Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas was shut down for good in 1973. Two Houston attorneys purchased the house and had it transported to Dallas where they opened it as a restaurant, which Edna Milton, the current madam, as its hostess. This ended up closing down in 1978.
The Chicken Ranch inspired the Broadway musical, the movie Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and ZZ Top’s musical hit “La Grange.”
Movie Set - Chicken Ranch
And you can’t visit it. Only in your imagination. Sorry.
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32 Responses
Laughed out loud.
Always happy to produce a laugh!!
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That was awesome! My friend works for the current co-owners of the Chicken Ranch in Nevada.
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[...] The Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas [...]
THe Chicken Ranch in Necada has nothing to do with the original Chicken Racnh in La Grange, Texas. THe owners of the Nevada brothel simply stoldethe name and bought a few pieces of mem orabilia from the Texas brothel. The Nevada owners had nothing to do with the Texas brothel, the staff in Nevada iare and always have been totally different. I called the La Grange Chamber of Commerce and spoke to someone there about this, the La Grange Chamber has the original brothel rules, and Chicken Ranch memorabila on their walls. I told a lady at the chamber about the Nevada brothel .She was flabbergasted, because the Nevada brothel is pretending to be something it is not. It is sad that the Nevada brothel is getting credit for something hat was never theirs, and the public for the most part does not know the difference. I almost bought the Nevada Chicken ranch. This brohel has nothing to do with the original in Texas, as i said. Aritlcles such as this one need to make it plain that the Nevada Chicken Ranch has nothing to do with the original in Texas.
THe Chicken Ranch in Necada has nothing to do with the original Chicken Racnh in La Grange, Texas. THe owners of the Nevada brothel simply stoldethe name and bought a few pieces of mem orabilia from the Texas brothel. The Nevada owners had nothing to do with the Texas brothel, the staff in Nevada iare and always have been totally different. I called the La Grange Chamber of Commerce and spoke to someone there about this, the La Grange Chamber has the original brothel rules, and Chicken Ranch memorabila on their walls. I told a lady at the chamber about the Nevada brothel .She was flabbergasted, because the Nevada brothel is pretending to be something it is not. It is sad that the Nevada brothel is getting credit for something hat was never theirs, and the public for the most part does not know the difference. I almost bought the Nevada Chicken ranch. This brohel has nothing to do with the original in Texas, as i said. Aritlcles such as this one need to make it plain that the Nevada Chicken Ranch has nothing to do with the original in Texas.
I have been to the Nevada Chicken ranch. It is true that the Nevada ranch has nothing to do with the original in Texas except that the Nevada owners swiped the originall Texas brothels name, and some of its fame from Ms Milton, Edna Milton needs to take legal action if you ask me, to claim what is rightfully hers. I agree that the writer of this article needs to make it clear that the Nevada brothel has nothing to do with the original. However, maybe the writer of this article does not know the difference, either.
My wife Sherry and I just posted dupicate letters on this site., by accident. Mine was actually a different letter, but I clicked hers by accident. So if readers see two dupiicate letters on this site, they will know why, In conclusion, the Nevada Chicken Ranch does not have a damned thing to do with the Texas Ranch, The Nevada brothel owner never worked for Ms Milton, or with her. Or vice versa.Thanks.
The writer of this column said the Chicken Ranch was moved to Dallas and became a restaurant. She said the restaurant ‘closed down.” Actually. the restaurant burned down. Look at the Chamber of Commerce site of the city of La Grange. The site expalins this.-Thanks, Lester, Dallas , Texas
Actually it would probably be more accurate to say portions of the chicken ranch were moved to Dallas and used as a restaurant until it was sold to the fire insurance company. There was a SBA loan involved in there somewhere.
Some of the ruins of the chicken ranch are visible from the road. If an outlaw type were to disregard the no trespassing sign, he could conveniently climb the very sturdy gate conveniently provided by the owners of the pipeline easement that runs right by the site walk back about 50 yards and get a good view of what’s left. Of course an upstanding law abiding person would never suggest such a course of conduct.
acutally did that several months ago–most of what is left of the old house is just ruins. People have walked off with most anything that was not tied down.
Many of the old timers tell stories of when it was still operational. They were also not too saddened to see Marvin Zindler (TV news guy that publicized the story and pressed for it’s closure) pass away not too long ago.
Most of the locals tolerated the place as the madam traded locally and gave lost of money to local charities
Today I found what appears to be an authentic token from the original Chicken Ranch in La Grange,Texas!It is gold in color and very thin.The back side of the token reads “GOOD FOR ALL NIGHT” with two small hearts.The front reads “THE CHICKEN RANCH” at top, and “LA GRANGE,TEX “on bottom, and has a chicken and a rooster kissing with a heart above their heads.Anyone have any idea what it would be worth to a collector? Email me at ,sirromancealot@ymail.com
you can buy em all day long on e-bay for 2-5 dollars
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Is there a oilwell & pump now, where the old house was???
You say some of the ruins of the Chicken Ranch are visible from the road. What is the name of the road or number of the road?
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No, the oil well is about a mile east of the old house.
It is off of Rocky Creek Road
Local -
Can you give specific directions? Is it North or South of Rocky Creek Road, how far East of 71, are there any markers, etc.?
Also how certain are you that is the site?
If I might interrupt?
The road the Chicken Ranch is on is now only accessible by going down various back roads. It used to be connected with Highway 77 going east out of La Grange, but when the bypass was built they cut that access off.
It might be possible for you to locate this property, though there are those of us who actually knew where it was that can’t find it now. There should be a warning added in here right now, though.
We, as a county, have been experiencing serious theft to our outlying properties, so be very wary of traveling willy-nilly down our country roads. There is an ‘ask first, then shoot’ policy at the moment, but if the crimes continue much longer that might reverse. More than one person has looked down the barrel of a rifle lately while explaining their business to a rancher or farmer. So be extremely sure you know where you are going when traveling our back roads right now!
That being said I give you an alternative – head into town, sit down at any of our restaurants and start asking the waiters and waitresses questions. In no time at all they will spot someone willing to tell all they know about not only the Ranch but other tales, as well. Monument Hill, the Brewery, the Antiques Fairs, fishing, Opry night, fairs, rodeos! Sorry, no houses of ill-repute at present.
There are more historical markers in Fayette County than in any other state in Texas. We have lived out loud around here for a very long time. Come visit when you get a chance!
(And to shamelessly plug my book while here, you can read stories about Fayette County in my book, titled “From Slut Puppies To Whore Dogs: One Woman’s View of Texas Men”, available at http://stores.lulu.com/fwfproductions)
I visited the site back in the 80′s the back entrance was still standing and there were about 4 ways in and out of the place. you could also see where they had built long add ons which were most likely bedrooms. you could definitely see it was a chicken farm
What memories, I was a young Air Force Airman in 1970, straight out of basic training at Lackland AFB, TX (San Antonio TX), I was reassigned to Bergstrom AFB, TX, near Austin, I was in the Security Police Squadron, I had only been there a couple months when one of the young sergeants suggested we take a trip to La Grange TX. and visit the Chicken Ranch, being young only 19 and from rural Minnesota I thought we where going to a KFC type of establishment, dumb me, there where 5 of us that took the trip that evening, when we arrived in town we stopped at a small gas station, while we put gas into the car an older and pretty fat guy walked over to our car and asked “You Boys heading for the Ranch”? our driver said we sure are, and the older man said “Have fun but stay out of trouble”, later we found out he was the Mayor of La Grange. Anyway, that night I became a real man, in talking to most of the young ladies at the ranch, I found out most of them were working there way through college, talk about a tuition assistance program that was it.
my mom worked there. she told me the story today. thats why im looking all of this up.
ok.. I was checking out Google Earth, and tried to find the location of the ranch. I found a spot that seems I think could be the right place. It resembles what I saw in a recent photo of the remains of the house. To those of you who know where it is, could I be right in guessing that it is near Ruether rd?
no.
You can see it on google earth. do a little online reading. The road it is on is stated in this blog.
the oil storage tanks are only 300 yards or so away.
I don’t want to reveal more, as i don’t want the neighbots to have trespassers.
It is VERY obvious, of you look at the online photos, and use the info provided here.
Shhhh.
I have a token from the ranch but what I would like to know is if these tokens are in fact or where they ever used at the ( chicken ranch ) if anybody knows please respond
i have 2 coins from the original chicken ranch, the coins were given out to valued customers, i have these coins because my dad was a valued customer, just saying. you can also find these coins online for sale for a few dollars.
Having just been there this week, I think anyone looking for something other than a complete ruins will be a bit disappointed. The old former kitchen unit (it looks like) is little other than a collapsed shell.
It is not hard to find, however. From the junction of US 77 and Texas 71 go southeast on the north access road of 71 for 2.3 miles. Turn left onto Rocky Creek Road. Go about 1,900 feet to the gate (on your right). The remains of the building is about 250 feet down the old road.
The property, however, is fenced in. You can see part of the remains from the gate.
I am doing research on Edna Milton and need to find out if she is dead or alive. This is essential to the work I am doing. Everything just mentions that she seems to have disappeared. I believe she would be 82 now if still alive. Can you help me?
My Uncle Glen (Red) Davidson was married to Miss Edna in the 60′s 70′s period.
Not sure if it was Miss Edna or not, but the last Madam of the Chicken Ranch died just last week.
Haaa. Some distant memory. almost 50 years ago. I think she called herself Sharon. My No 1. As a dacapo I and a new friend of mine drove like crazy across Texas in a Cadillac with a broken power-steering belt. We pulled the steeringwheel both in the curves. And to find the little access road I drove down to the railway underpass and turned. Yes I thought is was where the oil cistern now are. 1967 or -68. But first we looked for something called Roses(?) but that had burned down.