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Old Bridge Ranch

 

old bridge ranch brothel cathouse

The remains of the Old Bridge Ranch (which sit on the site of the original Mustang Ranch) amidst a picturesque Nevada landscape.

Sitting in the Truckee River valley of northern Nevada lies the Old Bridge Ranch, a legal brothel that operated near the storied Mustang Ranch – in fact, the Old Bridge Ranch was built on the site of the original location of the Mustang Bridge Ranch, and over the years has acted as compliment and competition to the Mustang.

Popular for being one of the nearest brothels to the Reno area, Old Bridge owner David Burgess was the nephew of Sally Conforte (the wife of colorful Nevada brothel operator Joe Conforte). It was Joe Conforte who operated brothels in trailers near the intersection of three counties in northern Nevada before prostitution was legal in the state. When unwanted attention from the authorities came to his brothel, he would move it over county lines, until eventually he was able to successfully petition the county to pass the state’s first brothel ordinance while he ran the Mustang Ranch in 1971.

When the original Mustang Ranch was burnt down, it was rebuilt in a new location about 150 yards away, while the Old Bridge Ranch was later constructed in the place of the original.

Containing 26 rooms, along with a VIP room, bar and parlor, and dispatching and security offices, the Old Bridge Ranch was the second largest brothel in Storey County, behind the Mustang and its 56 bedrooms. Whereas the Mustang was large and well-lit, the Old Bridge was darker and of a more intimate scale.

When the Mustang Ranch was forfeited to the federal government following Conforte’s conviction on charges of tax fraud and racketeering, the IRS claiming that he owed $13 million in back taxes and penalties, and his subsequent fleeing to South America to avoid sentencing, the Old Bridge found itself as the sole operating brothel in Storey County, taking in many of the Mustang’s workers who were housed in temporary trailers outside of the main house and would sleep in shifts while reserving the main building’s bedrooms for the increased business.

Burgess had managed the Mustang Ranch from 1979-1989. Years later while running the Old Bridge, following the confiscation of the Mustang Ranch by the IRS and its subsequent auctioning of the property and assets, Burgess changed the name of the Old Bridge Ranch to the Mustang, resulting in a court battle with the owner of the nearby Wild Horse Saloon who bought and transported the old Mustang buildings to his Wild Horse property. Lance Gilman, owner of the Wild Horse, eventually won and Burgess changed his brothel’s name back to the Old Bridge Ranch.

In 1998, Burgess’ brothel operator’s license was revoked for being a member of the Hells Angels, though the Nevada State Supreme Court ruled that this didn’t violate any conditions of maintaining a brothel and his license was returned two years later.

In 2008, while traveling across the country in an RV, Wyoming police pulled over and performed a search of Burgess due to expired tags, with the subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly turning up drugs and child pornography. Though some contend that these were planted. (The story of Burgess’ arrest and trial is an interesting tale in itself. An introduction can be found here.) Burgess was eventually found guilty of possessing and transporting child pornography and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Storey County officials amended the brothel licensing laws specifically to deal with Burgess’ associates acting as non-licensed silent owners of the brothel, effectively shutting down operations at the Old Bridge Ranch. Shortly after, the brothel would close down and to this day remains abandoned.

{  A more detailed account of this story is available in the book, Framing Dave Burgess: A True Story About Hells Angels, Sex and Justice.  }

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The main parlor area and bar of the Old Bridge Ranch.
old bridge ranch, abandoned brothel, storey county, joe conforte, nevada
Outside entryway.
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The bar. In the dark closet were all of soda and liquor on tap, while down the light corridor were several bedrooms.
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A standard bedroom at the ranch.
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Hot tub suite.
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VIP. (On a later visit, this mattress had been stolen.)
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Kitchen area.
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Ranch recreation.
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Night at the rural ranch.

or see our other blog posts here.

18 Comments
Ivy Rogers
02:43 November 6, 2016

I worked there for a short time in the 1990's. A combination of the scariest and THE time of my life.

    Tim
    23:09 April 13, 2017

    I remember Ivy well. Blonde...wanted a house and kid. She told me the last time that she made her goals. Very nice lady.

      Robert
      12:33 August 2, 2022

      I was a cook there for 2 separate years, loved the job , 7 days on -7 days off, money /pay was really good. I worked for Yvonne Regis, very nice family to work for , and it was a family run business, The girls were very nice people/normal except for the job they did , but hey - it’s a job. Never seen anything illegal, did meet Sonny one time . If it ever happens again - I’d love to work there again .

    Steve
    21:54 November 18, 2017

    I also worked there as cook from June/96 - February or March/97. I left to cook at Mustang II because, like you, it was turning really bad in 97. David Burgess's MC club was an Oakland Hell's Angels prospect club, and Ingrid Burgess, (separated from David?) was hooked up with the Angel's Treasurer, and this guy was scary. The Angels would come in in full force on the weekends to party. It didn't help matters that I was doing a lot of meth . We may have been there at the same time, Ivy. Brandy was the Day Manager. You got sick one day and I carried you to the runner's car. Even though you were as tall as me, I was surprised that you were as light as a feather. Hope things are well for you, Lady. Steve

    Jim
    22:55 June 1, 2018

    Hi Ivy I was one of your customers. Loved you so pretty and soft. Old Bridge was my fav.

    Cathy
    00:57 January 19, 2020

    Ivy I would like 2 have short chat about some of things that went on, nothing personal or even sexual doing research for a project

Elaine Goldman
20:41 September 23, 2017

I stumbled up in the building while out being bored and just doing a little exploring with my boyfriend. Not sure at first where we were, we decided to check it out. Windows broken, doors barely hanging on their hinges- it was clear this place had seen Berger days. Going inside, and realizing where we must be, I felt kind of haunted but saddened at what used to be. You could tell their departure must've been hasty, for alot of personal items still littered the floor. I'm sure we haven't been the only curious to brave going inside ( a couple rooms looked like the night have been occupied by a homeless person at one time or another. Leaving the building we got a huge surprise as we were met by two officers, guns drawn shouting "hands behind your heads, and get down on your knees" . We somehow managed to leave without handcuffs, but what an ordeal. Had there been any no trespassing signs, we would never have gone in. Anyways, it's sad that it's just been left to decay&fall apart like it has. Would be nice to see it fixed up&in operation again. If I had the $, I would do it myself!

    Dave
    20:28 January 9, 2020

    I was a customer here back in 2001. I wanted to go back and check out the ruins and maybe get a souvenir. You’re a story scares me though that I must be hidden security around there

      Jason
      16:24 February 1, 2020

      I was there yesterday. There’s no security there, but it’s located about 1 mile from the sheriffs dept and I imagine they patrol it fairly regularly. There’s really nothing else on the road so anyone driving around there is probably up to no good. I parked my motorcycle behind the building out of site, only saw one car pass while I was on site. It’s a sketchy place to be in alone. I won’t go back unarmed.

Teresa Robles
03:06 November 30, 2017

I too worked there..first as a maid then I also worked the floor. I had to quit my maid job so I could work the floor because there was no fraternizing. I loved both jobs.. my goal was to be a madam..instead my whole life changed forever.... I was there the day they lost their license...Such a sad day at the OBR....It truly breaks my heart to see these pictures..very intimate times that was completing me are lost forever.........

Bruce
00:09 July 31, 2018

Went there once after grad 1992, made a friend that I talked to for about a year, name was Ane. Tall lady. Always wondered how her life turned out?

Brian
05:38 January 14, 2019

Used to go there a lot, the girls were the best! Friendly and down to earth, not cocky or stuck up. It was a great place ,really miss it. Hope all the girls that worked there have a nice life now.

Bryon
04:35 June 7, 2019

Used to go there a lot and the girls were the best looking and down to earth. Had a lot of good times there, hope all the girls are having a good life now. Really miss those days.

Amber
00:39 November 9, 2019

I worked there in the 1990s, I remember you Ivy! We shared a bathroom between our rooms. I can't believe what the place looks like. I was only there maybe a year. The place changed me for the better. I learned what true friendship was. I'll never forget the place.

    Cathy
    01:04 January 19, 2020

    hi Amber I'm doing some research on OLB, any chance we can email each other so I can get couple questions answered, nothing personal or sexual would like a little history from someone who was there

Jesy Tate
20:32 January 10, 2021

Sally Conforti‘s real name is Jesse Burgess she’s my great aunt. I must say I had my first birthday all the way up until my early 20s at the mustang Ranch. It was told me that they referred to me as a brothel sprout. They still reside in my family‘s old trailer park in Lockwood I sure miss the old days.

Vance
22:06 November 21, 2022

Some little short blonde took me out to the caves on that property

    Mark Sly
    14:34 September 14, 2023

    Wow,I worked there in the late 80's early 90's .started out as a night runner, then Jay asked me to barten grave yard. Best time of my life. Sex,drugs and rock and roll. Hard to believe it's been 30 years. Best wishes to all.

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