The Moulin Rouge opened in 1955. It relished great success for eight months including being a cover girl for LIFE magazine. Boxing legend Joe Louis was the official greeter and one of the owners. The Moulin Rouge was an establishment on the Westside that welcomed black guests and entertainers during a time when many others didn’t. It was known for having the shortest lifespan of any Vegas hotel, but one with a strong impact. The Moulin Rouge has since closed and opened many times over the years for various reasons and became a historic site in 1992. It was built on the edge of the the original McWilliams townsite, which is more recently known as 900 W. Bonanza Road. Sadly, it burned on May 29, 2003, and whether or not it will be rebuilt remains to be seen.
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