LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The Moulin Rouge Hotel and Casino, which opened 70 years ago on May 24, 1955, holds a significant place in history as the first racially integrated hotel and casino in Las Vegas and the United States.
Situated on the Historic Westside of Las Vegas, the Moulin Rouge was a trailblazer for integration in the city. The location was in the 900 block of West Bonanza Road.
The hotel-casino was renowned for its opulent design and a spectacular showroom that attracted audiences with performances by legendary African American entertainers such as Sammy Davis Jr., Dinah Washington, and Louis Armstrong.
This was during a time when the Las Vegas Strip remained segregated.
Despite its brief operational period, closing in October 1955, the Moulin Rouge played a crucial role in the desegregation of Las Vegas and contributed significantly to the civil rights movement.
In recognition of its historical importance, the Moulin Rouge Hotel was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
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