Natalia's 1912 History
Located on the "Notorious Blair St." the red light district of Silverton, Natalia's 1912 is the oldest still standing bordello in Silverton. Built by John Curry (Owner La Plata Newspaper) in 1883 during the height of the mining rush. John sold the building in 1887 to Nell Castell one of the original Madams of the Red Light District on Blair Street. Within a short time Nell became known to be quite a character providing tired miners a great place to rejuvenate.
Nell had quite a history and was even implicated in a knife attack against one Frank Cooper who after refusing to dance with Nell incurred her fury!
Nell had quite a history and was even implicated in a knife attack against one Frank Cooper who after refusing to dance with Nell incurred her fury!
In 1894 the Nell Castell house was sold to Jack Matties an Austrian immigrant who had moved to America to try his luck in the booming mining town of Silverton. Current day Natalia's 1912 restaurant sits on 3 lots the Nell Castell house which was situated on the center lot and the two lots to either side. Jack Matties only owned the house on the center lot. The north lot was sold to Louisa Crawford in 1896, and later the south lot was sold to both Matties and Crawford. A budding romance ensued and in 1897 Jack and Louisa were married.
In 1901 Jack Mattise sold the dance hall to his brother Battiste Matties. Battiste went on to build the "Welcome Saloon" in 1909 (present day Natalia's 1912 Restaurant). The building maintained it's colorful history for many more years including it's transition to a make shift hospital during the flu epidemic of 1918. Battiste's secret recipe for chicken soup was credited for saving many of the sick miners being nursed back to health in the boarding house. The building was in the Matties family until 1947.
In 1901 Jack Mattise sold the dance hall to his brother Battiste Matties. Battiste went on to build the "Welcome Saloon" in 1909 (present day Natalia's 1912 Restaurant). The building maintained it's colorful history for many more years including it's transition to a make shift hospital during the flu epidemic of 1918. Battiste's secret recipe for chicken soup was credited for saving many of the sick miners being nursed back to health in the boarding house. The building was in the Matties family until 1947.
Currently the building is owned by Bill and Lucy Walko who also run Natalia's 1912 restaurant. Be sure to stop by and ask them to tell you more about the colorful history of Natalia's while enjoying lunch or dinner!
*Period photograph taken by Professor Shutterbugs located on the Notorious Blair Street.
*Historical facts are credited to the Silverton Historical Society and Allen G. Bird author of Bordellos Of Blair Street.
*Period photograph taken by Professor Shutterbugs located on the Notorious Blair Street.
*Historical facts are credited to the Silverton Historical Society and Allen G. Bird author of Bordellos Of Blair Street.