From 1961 to 1981, the La' Belle brothel operated in Lovelock, Nevada, where legalized prostitution formed part of the state's history. Owned by Irene York and located "across the tracks" at 140 9th Street, La' Belle, named from French-inspired wording for beautiful woman, was regarded as a first-rate brothel in a "Small but Wild" town. It was unusual in allowing women to enter as "guests," unlike other "houses" in the state. Locals remembered the "ladies of the night" sunbathing on La' Belle's roof during non-business hours, and on one occasion a group of high school boys placed a stolen construction sign in front reading, "Caution Men and Equipment at Work."