Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Recalling some odd neighbors

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003 | 8:14 a.m.

Never one to avoid the sensational, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has now raised the specter of legalized prostitution for Las Vegas.

I can't seem to get too excited over the mayor's pronouncements. Perhaps it is because I witnessed the influence of prostitution in my youth.

In Yerington, where I was born and raised, there were two houses situated along the river bank. We really never knew what they were, although we did question our parents about the red light flashing over the door. It was all very subtle.

I do recall the "girls" shopping in town and dropping by the soda fountain where I worked. I loved to see them come in because they were the only ones who left good tips.

And, who could forget the scandal when one of the town's most eligible bachelors married a prostitute? She became a pillar of the church and an upstanding citizen.

Those days are long ago and far away. I relate the story only to note that prostitution has been legal in many counties for years.

But legalized in present-day Las Vegas? I simply don't know. It is a big business to control in a densely populated area.

Even with licensed brothels, there is no guarantee prostitution will go away. Some johns would rather strike up a deal with a pretty barfly or through a casino host than be involved in an all-for-business situation as practiced in a house that is not a home.

For an interesting study of the oldest profession, read Gabe Vogliotti's "Girls of Nevada."

Friday is Halloween. It's also the 139th birthday of the state of Nevada. Compared to Eastern states boasting more than 200 years of existence, Nevada is still a teenager, although one of the fastest-growing states in the country.

Nevada's early economy was based on mining and agriculture. Today it is gaming and tourism that keep the wheels of fortune turning.

For students of Nevada history, several books are outstanding. I like the novel-like presentation of "Desert Challenge" by Charles Lillard. Dr. Effie Mona Mack's "Our State: Nevada" is extremely well documented. However, like Nevada's official song, it does not explore in depth the history of Southern Nevada.

"Home Means Nevada" by Bertha Raffeto became Nevada's official song in 1933. The lyrics contain references to Northern Nevada -- the Kit Carson trail, Truckee River, Sierra Nevada. It's almost as if Southern Nevada didn't exist, and in truth there was very little here in 1933.

For a revealing insight into Southern Nevada's critical role in Nevada politics, I recommend "Nevada's Turbulent '50s" by Mary Ellen Glass.

For a quick and handy reference to Nevada's political history, Secretary of State Dean Heller's publication is superb.

Started as an information pamphlet by Secretary of State William Douglas in 1910, it has been published periodically since. Latest editions include history and election results from the beginning of statehood.

A fun book for Nevada trivia collectors is Ken Bouton's collection of Nevada Trivia, available in book stores.

Try reading some of these to get a feel for our state.

And Happy Halloween, or Nevada Day, or both.