Legendary Moulin Rouge Hotel Celebrates 70 Years as Pioneering Racially Integrated Casino

The property was first built in 1954, and though the gambling venue was open for less than six months on the Historic Westside, it left a lasting impression on Las Vegas. During its brief but significant run, the venue hosted a lineup of legendary Black entertainers, including Sammy Davis Jr. and Dinah Washington. Over the decades, the property changed hands and went through multiple devastating fires.

In 2017, the property caught on fire several times, ultimately making the property unsalvageable, according to the City of Las Vegas. The famous neon sign is still on display at The Neon Boneyard.

Now, the frame of the original Moulin Rouge marquee sign still stands on an otherwise empty, vacant lot, according to the City of Las Vegas.

One of the most memorable aspects of the Moulin Rouge was its neon sign, which became an iconic symbol of the hotel. The sign was designed by Betty Willis, one of the few female sign designers of her time. Born in 1923 in Overton, Nevada, she developed an early interest in art and design. After attending art school in California, she returned to Nevada and began her career in the neon sign industry.

Willis, who later gained fame for creating the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, spent considerable time researching Parisian-style fonts to capture the essence of the original Moulin Rouge in Paris.

Her work on the sign was a testament to her talent and vision. She meticulously drew the sign design by hand, ensuring that it captured the elegance and allure of the famed Parisian cabaret. Her ability to blend artistry with functionality set her apart in the industry.

The Legacy of the Moulin Rouge

Although the Moulin Rouge Hotel & Casino had a brief operational period, its legacy endures. The hotel’s commitment to racial integration paved the way for significant social change in Las Vegas and beyond. It demonstrated the power of entertainment as a force for inclusivity and progress.

We are honored that the Moulin Rouge sign is preserved and displayed at The Neon Museum in Las Vegas. The museum, dedicated to collecting and preserving historic Las Vegas signs, re-illuminated the Moulin Rouge sign in its original configuration, allowing visitors to appreciate its beauty and historical significance.

The restoration of the sign involved meticulous work, including testing intact neon units on the sign, and creating etchings of the sign to blow new units to achieve its iconic pink hue.

The Moulin Rouge Hotel in Las Vegas may have been short-lived, but its impact was profound. As the first racially integrated casino in the United States, it played a crucial role in the civil rights movement and set a precedent for inclusivity in the entertainment industry. The hotel’s iconic sign, designed by Betty Willis, remains a symbol of its legacy, preserved for future generations to admire.