In 1997 construction was begun on a new Science Museum building in the city of St. Paul. During the course of site preparation, it became apparent that significant archaeological resources existed there. The city therefore gave archaeologists a month to explore and salvage them. The area, most recently occupied by the city morgue, once included Eagle, Franklin, and Washington streets and had for many years housed St. Paul's red light district. Public interest mounted when archaeologists uncovered the foundations of a brothel operated by Nina Clifford, the city's most famous madam.

This building, at 147 South Washington Street, cost Nina Clifford $12,000 to build in 1888. Her bordello, which operated until 1929, catered to St. Paul's elite business establishment. Photo by Scott Anfinson of the Minnesota Historical Society.