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The Moulin Rouge opened May 24, 1955. The Moulin Rouge was the first fully integrated hotel in Las Vegas, attracting prominent performers such as Pearl Bailey and Louie Armstrong — who were allowed to perform on the Strip but were banned from gambling or staying at hotels there.
By Dave Toplikar (contact) 
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 | 5:09 p.m.
Sun archives
- Does Moulin Rouge have a place in 2009? (3-12-2009)
- Beleaguered Moulin Rouge lives to fight another day (3-11-2009)
- Once again, a plan for renewing the Moulin Rouge (2-25-2008)
- Low-income residents pushed closer to streets (9-14-2006)
- Historic casino faces challenges (5-27-2005)
- Moulin Rouge revival planned (1-29-2004)
- Officials probe Moulin Rouge blaze (5-30-2003)
- Blaze is latest chapter in hotel's storied history (5-29-2003)
Historical stories
- Moulin Rouge staff features 'big names' (5-25-1955)
- Nearly finished resort hotel damaged by fire (4-7-1955)
Special coverage
Map of Moulin Rouge Museum and Cultural Center
Moulin Rouge Museum and Cultural Center
900 West Bonanza Road, Las Vegas
The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday rejected an appeal to keep the three remaining structures at the historic Moulin Rouge site in downtown Las Vegas from being demolished.
"This is a sad moment in the city's history," Mayor Oscar Goodman said before the unanimous vote.
"...There's no question that the Moulin Rouge symbolically has stood as a beacon as to the city's position as far as our history on segregation and desegregation," Goodman said. "And that's a lesson that should never be forgotten."
However, Goodman said, Councilman Ricki Y. Barlow has been adamant that the Moulin Rouge, 840 W. Bonanza Road, must be redeveloped for the benefit of the entire city and the residents who live nearby.
Goodman said he had been to several groundbreakings for projects at the historic building "that would have brought back the old days. ... Each and every one of those projects dissipated and turned into dust."
The city's Historic Preservation Committee voted in June to approve that the remaining structures at the blighted property be demolished.
The appeal of that action was made by Patricia Hershwitzky, secretary of the Moulin Rouge Museum and Cultural Center.
Hershwitzky said if the three structures were removed, it could lead to a "delisting" of the site on the national historic register.
"And the sign is not sufficient to retain that historic listing," she said.
She also said there needs to be time to investigate a claim being made that the Moulin Rouge Museum and Cultural Center has a 99-year lease on property next to the tower at the site to operate a museum.
Those making the appeal say the state granted the museum $250,000 to operate a museum on the site and that $48,000 was paid to the former owner of the site to secure a 99-year lease on property adjacent to the tower. The property owner, Jory Schoell, who represented Olympic Coast Investments, said the title to the property reflected no such lease.
However, the council decided that was a private property matter and it needed to allow the demolition of the structures to go forward so the blighted property could be sold and developed.
Hershwitzky also said that while some people see the remaining structures as a negative, she looked at them as a positive.
"It was interesting that in June of 1955, that Hank Greenspun (founder of the Las Vegas Sun) at that time wrote when the Moulin Rouge had only been open about a month that ‘there were forces or factions in town that will not stop to wreck the experiment of the Moulin Rouge,’" Hershwitzky said.
However, it was a success for the six months it was open in 1955, she said.
"It was not only the first racially integrated casino-hotel in the United States, it drew the mega-stars as well and international attention," she said. The Rat Pack, Milton Berle and other leading entertainers of the time performed there, she said.
Barlow, whose ward includes the property, said it was a "sad day" for the council to have to take that action on the property.
The hotel was created specifically as an interracial luxury resort where black performers barred from staying at Strip hotels were allowed to gamble, dine and stay in hotel rooms.
Although it was open from only May to October 1955, the Moulin Rouge later took on a civil rights role. In 1960, it was the site for a meeting of local civil rights leaders, business and civic leaders to meet with local casino-hotel operators to end the Jim Crow segregation policies of Las Vegas.
In the 1990s, the Moulin Rouge was reopened and remained open for 13 years, she said.
Moulin Rouge Fire
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Firefighters from three area fire departments battled a four-alarm blaze for more than two hours at the historic Moulin Rouge hotel and casino Wednesday. Las Vegas Fire Department investigators will begin a thorough examination of the smoldering ruins as soon as the building is safe.
It was destroyed by fire in 2003, leaving only the historic sign, tower and façade.
Barlow said that after a 2009 fire occurred at the former hotel and casino, the property, "went down really fast."
Barlow, who joined in on the unanimous vote to reject the appeal, said, "We're at a point to where the site has become a true blight to the community."
After the 2009 fire, the hotel building behind the front façade and tower was partially demolished by the fire department. The sign was moved to the Neon Boneyard museum for storage a few days before the fire occurred, Barlow said.
Barlow said redevelopment in the area hinges on the city cleaning up such blighted properties.
"We have our broom and our dust pan and we're going to sweep it up, and we're going to get it clean," he said. "... We're moving in the right direction to accomplish that task."
Barlow and Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian also asked the owners to preserve the remaining pink pillars that are still inside the building for historic purposes so they can be saved. Schoell said that can be done.
Barlow said he and others in the community would like to see the old Moulin Rouge sign that's now in the Neon Boneyard come back to the site when the property is sold and new developers begin a project. Or he would like to see the city "light that sign back up" somewhere else.
"It's a true piece of the Las Vegas history," he said.
There is no "history" left in vegas...they blew it ALL UP,piece by piece floor by floor until there is NOTHING left to remember. What a true shame.
Babyboomer
Have you ever been inside the building in the 60s or 70s when it was open?
According to this report, the City of Las Vegas is going to pay for the demolition and clean up of the property so thay can give it to someone to develop it. The taxpayers on the hook again, so the property can be given, with extra tax abatements, to a private developer.
J U I C E in action, again.
Screw the taxpayer, lay off more employees to give this property to a so called developer.
What is going to happen to the lucrative unrestricted casino license for this property?
Anyone want to bet that it will sit vacant for a long, long time?
Sad moment? Yes that was when the state caved in to political pressure and agreed to spend $50 million of taxpayer money to reopen F street.
The Rouge was a beautiful property, and much fanfare accompanied it's opening in the mid fifties including a cover and major story in Life Magazine. It's significance of catering to mixed races back in the ridiculous era of segregation in this country proved that Las Vegas was a leader in sensibilities for the future. Hat to see the old place go, however it really died six months after it opened.. Hope to see the beautiful sign lit up again and placed somewhere along the strip by the museum one of these days..
Do you expect every uninhabitable hotel & casino building to be preserved as a shrine or museum? Go visit the boneyard if you want a trip down memory lane. Most of those places were demolished because they were unsafe and too expensive to maintain and remodel. So what if Frank Sinatra and Sammy played there. Life goes on. You'll need to demolish the old M/R if you want to build a new one in the same place. You have to finish one chapter before you can start another.
However sad another landmark will become just memories, Las Vegas is not, nor ever will be, the Mecca it used to pride itself on. Sustaining this grand old landmark would be like giving a transfusion to an amputated dream that once was. I'm sure it's location supported the Council's decision as well. I'm not pleased what Las Vegas has turned in to but the fact remains it's there as is.
It's a burned out building...get rid of it. The legacy of it's cultural worth will never be lost, much like the other hotel icons that have be eliminated. There is no worth in keeping it up - put it to rest and remember the impact it had for this city.
Keep the Moulin Rouge and instead demolish City Center.
Not a sad moment - No one realizes this dump was only open for 6 months in 1955. It has never been open since then
Seriously - After a property has been closed for 100 times longer than ever open - take a hint and tear it down
I'm reminded of the NBA All-Star Weekend. Another stellar moment for Las Vegas. With luck, the last one we ever see.
The question is: Even if it's not being completely demolished, what sense would it make to leave it like it is? Even if they'd turn it into a "museum-like" property, nobody would probably appreciate it much. Times have changed. Bonanza Road is full of industrial and construction businessnes and a casino museum wouldn't really fit into this neighborhood.
The fact is that somebody created a casino that was made for everybody, even mixed-races, and not "only for white people", so-to-say. I must assume that the business model didn't really succeed and not enough money was flowing to the Moulin Rouge. That's why it shut down just months after opening. Is that it? But from the historical point of view, it was one clear step against racism, and therefore deserves at least a memorial site for all the generations that will follow.
On the other hand, if you drive on Las Vegas Boulevard, a bit northbound, you will see more of the good old times. I really enjoy driving in this neighborhood and I noticed that there's a lot of space no longer used, simply deserted. But then again, if you drive on Las Vegas Blvd North, you feel these good old times come up again. Driving on by Jerry's Nugget, Silver Nugget, all the way out to the Poker Palace, you can see things that you never see if you only spend your time at Excalbiur, T.I. and all the other plastic castles. It's a different world, but definetely much closer to Vegas what it used to be.
I would have loved to see a revival of the Moulin Rouge, as this is still from the old times when I wasn't even borne. But then again, even tearing down the Stardust obviously turned out to be a big mistake. What's happening there on the never-to-be-finished Echelon site is so sad, it really ruined the good old pictures of Vegas.
From Switzerland
If tearing down these eye sores means jobs then lets do it!
The place was a dump the day it opened. Nothing will ever be built there. Who would open up any kind of business in the bottom's ??
Yes, it is a sad time when a historical landmark has to be demolished, but the Moulin Rouge is now just a burned out hulk of it's former self and is a public eyesore. As a young boy, (pre-teen), shortly after they opened, my father took our family to stay there while on vacation because he wanted to impress upon us children that just because a person has a different skin color that they are the same as everyone else. My father (God rest his soul) was raised by a black nanny and was never racially bigoted. (Yes, I'm caucasian).
Personally, I would like to see all of the historical signs in the neon graveyard refurbished to their original glory. Signs like the Moulin Rouge, the Silver Slipper, the Landmark, the El Rancho, etc. and have them put up in all their glory in a nice park-like display (and illuminated of course) along with a museum depicting the places these signs came from, and this should be done on "The Strip" or close bye so it would attract the tourists.
gettocard :
Your comment is racist and insulting and a perfect example of why you need to stay in Italy please.
Isn't that where they filmed part of "Casino",where Nicky stabs the guy in the neck with the pen? Just asking.
No I have not been in the Moulin Rouge personally,but I was speaking of keeping some of the "more famous" hotels that housed all the stars we knrew from years gone by. My thoughts were they should have completely restored The sands Hotel right down to the furniture,use it as the entrance to the NEW Sands Hotel and they could have build their MEGA hotel attached in the back.But...nothing is left to look at that would bring us back to those days,nothing.
The irony of Las Vegas is that it really reflects the Biblical story about why you either choose to build your life on sand or rock. . .
Get over it.
Typical Vegas. No respect for history, and the lack of culture and abundance of kitsch continues. They should just fill the whole valley in with salt.
I drove by it a couple years back. It was built before my time, but the history speaks for itself. I'm glad I got to see the building and signs, despite the 50 years of decay. I imagine the best thing to do is salvage what they can for use in a new facility somewhere else since the fires seem to have taken their toll. Nobody in their right mind would rebuild a club or casino that far from the "action" of Las Vegas.
If it was only open for six months, someone sure lost some money on that investment.
Is the neon boneyard open to the public?
Babyboomer:
I agree; that is why I think that all of the signs in the neon graveyard need to be restored to their former glory and put on display along with a museum depicting the places these signs came from - this is OUR history, this is Las Vagas's history.
I remember, as a teenager, staying at the Flamingo Hotel - with it's huge, pink flamingo made of stucco and wire and sitting atop two 12 inch diameter well casing legs and it was placed right alongside of the two lane L.A. Highway. The Flamingo Hotel, back then, was single story, ranch-style and the pool was out in front near the highway. Look at what we have now - a glass and plastic monstrosity.
And they call this "progress" ?
I was surprised to read that the place was only open for 6 months before it was bankrupt . That has to be a record! I am really surprised it lasted 50 (!) years empty.
Dr_c : You're right,it WAS part of the history. I'm just sorry they wouldn't blend the new with the old,too late now.
I for one, am glad to see this eyesore gone. The preservationists tell us about preserving history, but they don't consider the cost of restoring these dumps in comparison to razing them. When the preservationists can come up with the money to restore the eyesores, they can do it. Until then, stay out of the way.
An empty lot will be much better than the delapidated dump that was there.
Save the signs for the boneyard, but leave the ratraps to the wrecking ball.
Vegas needs to get its act together, you don't just keep tearing down and blowing up your city because the buildings are old! Tacky, tacky Vegas, shame on you!
Old buildings are like old horses - no matter how much you love them there is a time you must put them down.
Thats right, open 6 months. What history? For whom? In reference to what? I believe the legacy of "D" street has, is, and will last longer. It too, needs to be demolished.
In ten years you will not recognize this town.
are you kidding me? you people are concerned about "saving history" but you arent concerned about the filth? the drugs and drunks and homeless and illegals that are on the street corners? the porn and immorality that make the streets unsafe, especially in this area? Get your head straight folks, non-working poor have all the time in the world to clean up these streets and houses and yards and they should be doing it..others are working 2 and 3 parttime jobs to survive and you allow others to spend their entire life trashing your old neighborhoods, sell drugs on your street corners but you worry about an old dilapidated building that was open for 6 mo when it was new- no wonder you have the problems you do
I don't consider myself a Vegan because i've only lived here for about 4yrs...but being someone who luvs history...the pieces left are apart of Vegas history and African American history. The property probably could be used for something new however, the pieces of the Moulin Rouge that can be perserved should be and maybe donated to a Museum...such as the Civil Rights Museum located in Memphis, TN, so it will be preserved and still seen by those who want to know about its history...just a thought.
generally with a rare exception all the old buildings/casinos have to be replaced. las vegas would turn into a musuem tour that means nothing to all people who never seen it in its' "hayday". father time changes all and who cares where was rudolf valentinos' hollywood house or where dean martin and rat pack drank and smoked their ass off every night and so on. just saying "wayne newton" will get blank stares from under 30 crowd.
What a shame, as it has more historical value than The Mob Museum!.....Too bad this project didn't have a Godfather.
We can remember history just fine without needlessly cluttering the landscape with debris. Just because something's old does not mean it necessarily must be maintained.