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The entrance of the Moulin Rouge Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, circa 1955.
Courtesy of the Clark County Museum

Moulin Rouge

900 West Bonanza Road, Las Vegas, Nevada

Opened in 1955.

The Moulin Rouge was popular when it opened in 1955, and for good reason. As the first racially integrated resort in Las Vegas, it served as a safe space for African American communities during segregation when Black entertainers were barred from hotels.

The Moulin Rouge became one of the city's earliest establishments to fully integrate its staff, guests, and performers. Although it operated for only about six months, the Moulin Rouge represented a significant step toward desegregation in public spaces during the Civil Rights Movement, which is still felt in the diverse city of Las Vegas.

People:

• Dr. James B. McMillan, 1917-1999
  • Dr. James B. McMillan moved to Las Vegas in 1955, making history as the first Black dentist in Nevada and the first to perform dental implants in the state. While serving as President of the Nevada National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in March 1960, he negotiated with local leadership with a demand to end segregation or prepare for a major protest on the Strip. This successfully led to the desegregation of Las Vegas public venues before federal laws took effect.

Learn More:

• https://www.nps.gov/places/nevada-moulin-rouge-hotel.htm
• https://news3lv.com/news/local/video-vault-james-mcmillan-leads-fight-against-segregation-on-las-vegas-strip
• https://www.ccsd.net/about/newsroom/new-details/~board/ccsd-newsroom/post/ccsd-highlights-its-namesakes-dr-james-b-mcmillan#:~:text=He%20was%20the%20founder%20of,for%20minorities%20locally%20and%20statewide

For questions or comments, please reach out to the Clark County Museum at ccmuseum@clarkcountynv.gov.