Tour Details
- Schedule: First Saturday of every month
- Available Times: 11:15 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:00 PM
- Duration: Approximately 20 minutes
- Cost: $5 per person (cash)
- Location: Upstairs at Silver Dollar Saloon
Experience one of Marysville’s most unique historic attractions. The Silver Dollar Saloon offers a guided tour of the former Grand Hotel and brothel museum, located above the iconic saloon. Learn the untold stories of California’s Gold Rush era on a short but unforgettable guided tour.
Book a Tour of the Brothel Museum
Step upstairs and explore Marysville’s hidden past at the historic Brothel Museum located above the Silver Dollar Saloon. This guided tour brings to life the stories, artifacts, and legends that shaped the Gold Rush era and the Grand Hotel’s secret history.
A Journey Into Marysville’s Gold Rush Past
Built in 1858, the Silver Dollar Saloon was once a central gathering place for miners, travelers, and musicians. Above it, the Grand Hotel operated one of the longest-running brothels in the United States — active from the 1860s until 1978. Your tour leads through restored rooms filled with original photos, documents, furnishings, and rare artifacts.
The Brothel Museum Experience
Visitors can walk through preserved hallways once used by performers and working girls, each room telling a different chapter of Marysville’s nightlife. Some guests even report encounters with the museum’s rumored resident ghost — a woman in a white gown who is said to wander the upper floor.
What You’ll See
• Authentic photographs and memorabilia from the Gold Rush era
* Restored rooms from the brothel’s early years
* Historical displays that document Marysville’s underground past
* The original upper-floor layout of the Grand Hotel
The Hidden Speakeasy
At the end of the corridor lies the preserved speakeasy, complete with its original doorbell and sensor system. These devices once alerted staff when visitors arrived for private services. Today, the speakeasy remains intact as a living piece of Marysville’s clandestine past.
Restoration and Preservation
When Joseph and Meigan Ferrie acquired the building in 2018, the upper floor was filled with decades of forgotten materials. Their restoration work carefully preserved the history, transforming the rooms into a museum honoring the women who lived and worked here, and the era that shaped Marysville.
Tour Schedule and Admission
Tours are available by reservation and on select public dates. Visitors are invited to explore the exhibits, learn from knowledgeable guides, and immerse themselves in an authentic Gold Rush experience.
Reserve Your Tour
Use the form below to book your guided visit. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a traveler, or simply curious about Marysville’s past, the Brothel Museum offers a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t find anywhere else.
Location
330 1st St, Marysville, CA 95901
Located on the second floor above the Silver Dollar Saloon.