Moulin Rouge Historic Site

On May 24, 1955, the groundbreaking Moulin Rouge Hotel and Casino debuted at 900 Bonanza Road in Las Vegas, marking a pivotal moment in American hospitality. Positioned as “the nation’s first major interracial hotel,” it shattered racial barriers with its integrated accommodations and entertainment. Opening to enthusiastic mixed crowds, the inaugural night featured performances by African American talents like the Honeytones and the dynamic duo Stump and Stumpy, with Joe Louis, the esteemed former heavyweight boxing champion, as the casino host.

Prior to the Moulin Rouge’s arrival, African American entertainers faced segregation, limited to performing without access to public spaces and lodging only in segregated boarding houses on the Westside. However, the hotel’s inclusive vision attracted a stellar lineup of performers, including Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole, within months of its grand opening.

Despite its initial success, the Moulin Rouge’s lights dimmed just six months later, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with rumors and speculation. Nonetheless, its brief yet impactful existence served as a catalyst for change. The hotel’s integration inspired political activism, culminating in historic negotiations at the very venue on March 26, 1960. In a poignant twist of fate, the now-closed Moulin Rouge became the site where agreements were reached to integrate the famed Las Vegas Strip, shaping the city’s future and cementing its place in the annals of civil rights history.

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