If you lived in Pensacola at the dawn of the 20th Century, venturing south on Palafox below Government Street meant that you were looking for entertainment of an adult variety.

Known to local citizens as “The Line,” the stretch of Zarragossa Street between Baylen and Florida Blanca Streets consisted of an impressive array of saloons, brothels, and other establishments that catered to men of all classes.

Of all the characters and venues on The Line, one resident and one brothel stood out: Mary “Mollie” McCoy and her bordello named Hazel. Mollie was Pensacola’s most famous madame, operating a number of brothels during her lifetime, but Hazel was the most lavish.

This “boarding house,” located at 16 West Zarragossa just off Palafox Street had themed rooms decorated in a variety of traditional and contemporary fashions. Mollie demanded both her employees and clients act with the utmost level of decorum and also provided “guests” with selections of the finest cigars, wines, beers, and spirits.

Mollie herself was not afraid to flaunt her status in town or shy away from the public eye. Some accounts mention that the notorious madame strolled through town in fancy dresses with her hair dyed pink.

Even after The Line faded away in the early twentieth century, Mollie moved operations to the west of town where she owned and operated the Liberty Hotel. Penacola’s most infamous madame died in 1920 and is buried in St. John’s Cemetery.

Credits and Sources:

UWF Historic Trust Archives