Lola Montez, Dancing Girl and Courtesan of the Old West

Lola Montez

Grass Valley 1853-

As mentioned in previous blog entries, the 1850's were a booming time for this area. People were emerging from back east to chase dreams of a better life. The Gold Rush was at it's peak between 1850 and 1855. We talk a lot about the Yuba Sutter area, because this is where we are from. But, it would be incomplete story telling if, on occasion, we didn't share the stories of those cities that surround us. They were as much a part of the networking that intertwines the stories of many, like the heart to it's veins and arteries...it branched out all over California's countryside interlinking so many interesting characters.

I'm about to tell you about one of my favorites who like a black satin gloved hand, spread her charm, and intrigued many with her gorgeous looks and dancing skills. This would be Ms.
Lola Montez.

Born February 17, 1821 as Marie Dolores Eliza Rosanna Gilbert, Lola became one of the most famous women of the Old West. She had fans from the U.S. all the way to Australia. The Irish born actress, courtesan,and dancer was often mistaken for being Spanish because of her style of dance. By the age of 30 she had been married and divorced from three man including being the mistress of King Ludwig I of Bavaria, who made her Countess of Landsfeld.

Lola in 1851

Lola lived a colorful life long before adulthood, moving everywhere from India, England, and Scotland. She was a problematic child who was known to throw temper tantrums, stick flowers in the wigs of elderly men during church and even on occasion run naked through the streets. The spirited and spoiled young lady was known for her outbursts and temper.

She married by the age of 16 to Lieutenant Thomas James, but was separated within 5 years. It's at this time, while in Calcutta she became a professional Spanish dancer by the name of Lola Montez. Seems her wild, spirited nature would pay off.

Lola Montez had a mesmerizing appeal. She was known for a cocky spirit and a quick wit.  She had many male suitors and admirers. Her scandalous antics became well known all around the world. A huge feat in the times before Internet.

No doubt she left a trail of broken hearts everywhere she went.

In 1851 Lola arrived in the United States. She left for Australia in '55, but returned in '57. According to Wikipedia;

"From 1851 to 1853, she performed as a dancer and actress in the eastern United States, one of her offerings being a play called Lola Montez in Bavaria. In May 1853, she arrived at San Francisco.Her performances there created a sensation, but soon inspired a popular satire, Who's Got the Countess? She married Patrick Hull, a local newspaperman, in July and moved to Grass Valley, California, in August. Her marriage soon failed; a doctor named as co-respondent in the divorce suit brought against her was shortly after murdered. 

Montez remained in Grass Valley at her little house for nearly two years.The restored Home of Lola Montez went on to become California Historical Landmark No. 292. Montez served as an inspiration to another aspiring young entertainer, Lotta Crabtree, to whom she provided dancing lessons.Lotta's parents ran a boarding house in Grass Valley, and Lotta soon attracted the attention of her neighbor Montez, who encouraged Lotta's enthusiasm for performance."

Patrick her husband died in Marysville, and is buried at the Historical Marysville Cemetery in Marysville Ca.

San Francisco, Sacramento, Marysville and Grass Valley welcomed her temper, wit and grace, and was well received in gossip and scandal by the press. She lived an uncommon life. She smoked cigarettes as a sign of liberation. She took in a grizzly bear cub as one of many pets at her Grass Valley cottage which is now a National Landmark. In fact, she was an animal lover in general and was known to look after a number of dogs, cats, songbirds, a turkey, a pig, a pony, and some goats and sheep.

The Montez Cottage, Grass Valley

In regards to the "Montez Menagerie", according to The "Montana Magazine of Western History"- 

"But the bear-because it literally bit the petite Montez hand that fed it-became the most notorious member of the Montez menagerie. The bear was, of course, only doing what came naturally, and what was to be expected in a society in which bull-and-bear fights were an entertainment alternative to the performances of faux-Spanish dancers. Bull-and-bear fights were probably the most spectacular of the blood sports introduced by Mexican miners, all of which crossed nationality lines in their popularity. Although bullfighting and cockfighting were there for Montez to see, and although their Hispanic roots might have appealed to her own self-devised biography, the grandiosity-as well as the fuzziness and outrageousness-of a pet bear must have exerted special appeal. The kinder and gentler Montez was demonstrated not only in her love of animals but in her special affection for children...."

The Star Theatre in Marysville played host to Lola and her "Tarantula Dance" (or Spider Dance, dependig on what story you're reading) on several occasions. She frequented Marysille often. Here, Nevada City and Grass Valley came her stomping grounds just before retiring from dance forever. 

She began to age rapidly soon after returning to the United States. She began showing the signs of tertiary effects of syphilis and her body began to waste away.


Marysville Daily Herald, Number 159, 8 February 1857

"Lola Montez.—Lola Montez is reported to have become so much interested in spiritualism as to be looked upon as almost demented. Whilst living in San Francisco, just prior to her departure for the East, we had occasion to call at her residence to transact some business  with a gentleman who proposed accompanying her Eastward. She sat in her little parlor, surrounded by her birds and other pets, smoking a cigarito, and we could not but wonder what had become of the attractions that were said to have fascinated kings and princes. She was pale and emaciated, and her whole appearance indicated a deep, settled affection of the lungs. A portion of her conversation was directed to the subject of spiritualism, in connection with which she had always found that "the worse the man, the better the medium!" She complained ; bitterly of what she represented as the impositions of some of her spiritual friends, and threatened an expose, that she intimated would astonish the " natives." She, however, avowed her firm belief in the doctrine that spirits could communicate with friends still in this terrestrial sphere. We were compelled to believe, from her wan and wasted appearance, that soon nothing but the memory of  "Lola" would be left as the index of the career of an intellectual but erring woman." 

She did last a few years longer despite reports of her looking to be on the verge of imminent death. She died at the age of 39 on 17 January 1861. 

A activist for women's rights. A child- advocate. An animal lover. Lola's generous nature will live on, despite her sad ending.

She is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York, where her tombstone states: "Mrs. Eliza Gilbert / Died 17 January 1861".

If you like to learn more about Lola, Here's a mini-doc about her!