From the 1950s to the early 1960s, Las Vegas experienced significant growth amidst America's economic boom. Tourists contributed approximately $200 million annually to the city's profits, leading to a rapid increase in resorts along the Strip. The city proudly declared itself the "Entertainment Capital" of the country. However, this prosperity was not equally shared, particularly among African Americans.
African Americans constituted a small portion of Las Vegas' population from its founding until World War II. The establishment of a magnesium plant in 1943 led to an influx of African Americans from across the country seeking employment. By 1944, the African American population had surged to over 3,000, a significant increase from just 178 three years prior.
Despite their contributions, these 15,000 African Americans, comprising 10% of the city's population, were confined to a segregated area known as the "Westside." This area, originally J.T. McWilliams' Las Vegas Townsite, was separated from Fremont Street by a "cement curtain" barrier across the railroad tracks. In the late 1950s, conditions remained largely unchanged, with the ten-square-block area starkly contrasting the glamorous resorts of the Strip. The Westside lacked basic amenities such as running water, working sewage lines, and paved streets.
African Americans were prohibited from owning or selling businesses or homes outside the Westside. They were primarily employed in "back-of-the-house" jobs in casinos and downtown resorts, positions with minimal customer contact. Even these jobs were not always guaranteed. While Las Vegas thrived on their labor, African Americans were excluded from many of the city's pleasures. This segregation created a dilemma for resort owners, as many sought-after performers were African American, including Nat King Cole, Dinah Washington, Lena Horne, and Sammy Davis Jr.
Sammy Davis Jr.
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The Moulin Rouge Hotel: A Beacon of Integration
In May 1955, the first integrated resort, the Moulin Rouge Hotel-Casino, opened on the southern border of the Westside. Built at a cost of $3.5 million, with partial ownership by boxer Joe Louis, the resort was designed to cater to African Americans who were barred from the Strip resorts. To compete with the more prominent Strip establishments, the Moulin Rouge added a third nightly show. After their performances on the Strip, headlining entertainers would often visit the Moulin Rouge to continue their acts, bringing their audiences with them. As Sammy Davis Jr. once recalled, "In Vegas for 20 minutes, our skin had no color."
The Moulin Rouge Hotel
African American entertainers began to assert their rights, refusing to perform unless they were allowed to stay in the resorts and African Americans were permitted in the audience. This growing pressure, combined with activism, led to significant changes.
The Fight for Desegregation
In early 1960, Dr. James McMillan, President of the Las Vegas chapter of the NAACP, issued an ultimatum to Las Vegas authorities. He demanded the desegregation of the city, threatening a protest if his demands were not met. Initially resistant, officials eventually agreed to meet with McMillan, fearing the negative impact on Las Vegas' tourist industry.
On March 25, 1960, the day before the scheduled protest, NAACP members met with Las Vegas' mayor and influential businessmen. Mediated by editor Hank Greenspun, the meeting resulted in an agreement to lift all Jim Crow restrictions and desegregate the city. While full integration, including residential desegregation, took over a decade, this agreement marked a significant step forward, predating nationwide desegregation efforts.
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The Role of Churches in the African American Community
African American churches have always been central to their communities, serving as places of worship, hubs of civil rights activism, and sacred spaces for social and moral support. Many played pivotal roles during Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, and other social justice actions. For example, Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, was the site of the first registration of Alabama State University students in 1887. In 1954, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. became the church’s pastor, leading the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) and organizing the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church
Churches in the Historic Westside
In Las Vegas, churches in the Westside have been a refuge born out of racism and segregation. Though Black churches have sprung up throughout Las Vegas, the Westside remains the epicenter and attracts people from across the valley. Historically, Westside churches have been a kind of connected body, rather than isolated worship centers, leading the community and connecting it to outsiders - notably local government and political candidates.
When people left their homes to come to the city - many from places like Fordyce, Arkansas and Tallulah, Louisiana - they would sometimes bring almost their entire church congregation. The Westside and its churches grew explosively in the 1940s, because of job creation from World War II.
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Black churches have been an instrumental tool for voter turnout since World War II, but especially during the Civil Rights Movement that eventually removed voting barriers, such as poll taxes. For many, churches are the heart of the Westside.
The city’s HUNDRED (Historic Urban Neighborhood Redevelopment) Plan aims to bring the community economic development and social services, such as job training opportunities and educational centers. But these services exist to some degree in the Westside already - because of the churches.
Preservation Efforts
Despite their cultural and historical importance, civic leaders often neglect the preservation of African American churches. These churches face the risk of being displaced and losing their historical significance as urban development and gentrification reshape the landscape. Organizations like African American Historical Research and Consulting (AAHRC) empower these churches to become their own storytellers and advocates for a comprehensive historical narrative through research, consultation, and innovative approaches.
Instructors, students, and practitioners can use public history in several ways to protect and preserve African American churches, which are irreplaceable symbols of our collective heritage. Oral histories of congregants, pastors, and community members can document the church’s role in the community and ensure its stories are not lost. Partnering with academic institutions, museums, and cultural organizations can help these churches access resources, such as grants and expertise in historic preservation. Moreover, educating the broader public about the historical and cultural significance of African American churches can build support and empower local communities to lead preservation efforts reflective of the community’s needs and values.
In 2019, the Nevada Preservation Foundation received a $50,000 grant from the National Trust’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund to commission an in-depth historic context survey of the neighborhood. Local preservationists hope to protect the area’s remaining historic fabric.
Key Figures in Las Vegas' Black History
Several key figures have shaped the history of the African American community in Las Vegas:
- John Howell: One of the first landowners in the Las Vegas Valley, he contributed to agricultural and economic development.
- Helen J. Stewart: A pioneer rancher who donated land for the Historic Westside School.
- Mary Nettles: A property owner and spokesperson for the Black community, she was a founder of the Las Vegas branch of the NAACP.
- Paul R. Williams: A renowned architect who designed homes in the Berkley Square housing development.
- Dr. Charles I. West: The first Black surgeon on staff at Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital, he was a champion for civil rights.
- Dr. James B. McMillan: President of the local NAACP chapter, he played a crucial role in desegregating Las Vegas.
- Charles Kellar: An attorney who worked to free up jobs for Blacks through a consent decree.
- James “Jimmy” Arthur Gay III: A communications professional and civil rights advocate.
Landmarks in the Historic Westside
Several landmarks in the Historic Westside reflect the community's rich history:
- Historic Westside School: Originally Las Vegas Grammar School #1, it educated Paiute, White, Latino/Latina, and Black students.
- Berkley Square: The first Black housing development in Las Vegas, designed by Paul R. Williams.
- Moulin Rouge Hotel: The first integrated hotel-casino in Las Vegas, it symbolized peace and positive change.
- Harrison House: The only known surviving example of an African American boarding house in Las Vegas.
Legacy Park
