Based on brothel keeper Louisa Boren

I always assumed that this show was based on prominent Seattle citizen Louisa Boren (Lottie Hatfield in the series). She began running a brothel over her husband's saloon in the city's early days and went on to become one of its' most prominent business people. She also became one of the city's most notable philanthropists, funding many of Seattle's first schools. Boren Avenue is named after her.
I just assumed that the status quo would never make it past the censors, so they came up with the concept of the House Mother presiding over a dormitory of marriageable women.
yeah, right.