If you're at all familiar with 19th century euphemisms, you may recognize that the word "sporting" in the title to this 29-page 1895 Louisville guide has nothing to do with baseball (or any other sport). But if any of the veterans attending the Grand Army of the Republic Encampment that year were looking for some "high-class" and "liberal entertainment" this guide would have been very helpful.
[A guide to the houses of ill fame for the 1895 encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic in Louisville, Ky.
From the Internet Archive; Original Source: University of Louisville.]
Every one of the ladies in the guide could also supply her callers with wine and beer.
A big hat tip to Andy Hall of Dead Confederates blog for this.
I had no idea! Really. What an interesting bit of history. It puts a whole new meaning to the magazine "sporting life" which has probably been out of print forever.
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