Harvey Girl History
Yup, fiction can be based on real stuff
The first mystery we’re getting into is a historical set in 1891. It’s about a young socialite that leaves the comforts of her NYC privileged life to become a Harvey Girl in hopes of finding her missing father. And if you’ve never heard of a Harvey Girl, they were waitresses that helped tame the Wild West.
Harvey Houses were fine dining establishments right at the train station, along the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railway line. Around the same time, graphic artist Charles Dana Gibson created the ideal woman — the Gibson Girl. Since both of these “girls” were well known in the late 1890s, they are in my mystery. Ain’t history fun?
So you don't think Harvey Girls help settle the West? They were mostly educated women and a lot of them married and never went back home. I believe that was the point. A point I did not create so you aren't offending me. If it's wrong, I want to know.
So, a Harvey Girl was “a waitress that helped tame the West.” Any euphemisms in that sentence? Asking for a friend 😉