Preservation group lists at-risk sites

Tuesday, May 13, 2003 | 10:47 a.m.

The first integrated hotel-casino in Las Vegas, cottages used by railroad employees at the turn of the century and prehistoric examples of rock art top a nonprofit preservation group's list of at-risk sites that could be lost to development.

Preserve Nevada, associated with the National Trust for Historical Preservation, released its annual list of sites this week. It includes the Moulin Rouge hotel-casino, built in 1955 for black entertainers who were not allowed to stay at the Strip locales where they performed.

Also on the list are the Las Vegas railroad cottages, built between 1909 and 1912. While 64 homes were originally constructed only a few remain.

At least 11 rock art sites, scattered throughout the state, are also threatened with development, transfer of land from federal to private ownership and increased tourism, according to the preservation group. The locations of the sites are kept secret to discourage vandals.

The Silver State Lodge, which catered to tourists seeking quickie divorces in the 1950s, is at risk because the current owner wants to raze the structure and build high-density rental units, according to Preserve Nevada.