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A member of my congregation, Peter Marcus, has shared with me film footage taken by his uncle, Murray Rosenberg, a newsreel photographer, in 1911 when he visited Palestine. The entire film is worth watching, but the relevant footage at the Kotel begins at about the 19 minute mark (the film is courtesy of the Spielberg archive). The film shows clearly that men and women prayed side by side at the Kotel a hundred years ago, without controversy.
The Western Wall was never considered an “orthodox synagogue” until the late 1960s when the plaza was cleared and a mechitzah (divider between men and women) was erected.
The most recent behavior of the Hareidim against “Women of the Wall” (WOW) who wish nothing except to pray and read Torah on Rosh Hodesh (the orthodox spit on the women, throw chairs, scream slanderous epithets, and behave like spoiled toddlers) is a source of shame to the Jewish people at this holiest site in Judaism.
Rabbi John Rosove's Blog 
How very interesting…thanks for sharing this. Bill
Under foreign oppressive rule of the Turks and later the British Jews were not permitted to put up a Mechiza. Still they did during the British and the Arabs reacted with riots. Truth be told the norm of Jewish prayer has always been with a divider since the time of the Temple. The original Temple built by King Solomon had different sections for men and women.
This video proves nothing. The institution of mixed seating was a new one that started by German Jewry and moved to Reform congregations in the US. It has not historical foundation in Jewish tradition.
Love this! Thanks for sending it. Best, Rachel
Dear Rabbi Rosove- I can’t tell you how many times in the past few years I have shared this posting on your blog. Finally, I have decided to thank you! The article is terrific but that archival film footage is amazing; it’s what I Googled initially, trying to find a photo of the Kotel, pre-mechitza, and then came upon your blog post. Each time the WOW issue surfaces – on FB Group pages mostly for me – I post that blogpost and the archival footage. Thanks so much for doing the work and locating it in the first place!