Oregon Experience: Lola G. Baldwin
The War Years
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During World War I, the federal government instituted the "American Plan" to ensure that American fighting men were the "cleanest and brightest" in history. Part of the effort included setting up so-called "sanitized zones" within five miles of any training camp. Within the sanitized zones, the federal government regulated liquor and all aspects of vice including prostitution.
The federal government asked Detective Lola Baldwin to supervise vice preventive efforts around all training camps along the West coast and Arizona. She was granted a leave of absence from the Portland Police Department and moved temporarily to San Francisco.
 The Oregonian, April 14, 1918 |
During the war Baldwin lobbied for federal money to build a venereal detention home for older diseased prostitutes – where they could receive medical attention, education and rehabilitation. The Cedars opened in 1918 on land purchased near Troutdale, Oregon. The federal government used it as a model to set up other venereal detention hospitals around the country.
The Cedars was controversial. Critics charged that the women were being denied their civil rights. In fact, women could be picked up on the suspicion of prostitution and held for indeterminate sentences to keep them away from the troops. Many women attempted to escape. The Cedars closed in 1923.
During her time in San Francisco, Detective Baldwin also recognized and captured a bank robber wanted in Portland. The story made headlines and Baldwin was given a $5,000 reward. She used the money to set up a trust fund help support the bank robber’s young wife and family while he was incarcerated. See the article.
- Gallery
- View a collection of Lola Baldwin photos, early 20th century Portland and the Portland Police Department
- In Lola's Words
- Excerpts of her writing on women police and moral issues of her day
- The War Years
- More about Baldwin's activities during WWI
- Resources
- Find out more about the life and legacy of Lola G. Baldwin
© 2013 Oregon Public Broadcasting.