Nevada Biltmore / Shamrock Hotel, Las Vegas, 1949-1950
Owners of the hotel at North Main and Bonanza Road announced in 1949 they would be the first in Las Vegas to open their doors to the African American community. The news that did not sit well with city leaders who enforced a strict Jim Crow policy. Liquor and gaming licenses were pulled from the hotel. The story of the ‘Black Biltmore’ is told at KNPR by Bob Stoldal.
“the ill-fated operation of the Nevada Biltmore hotel as a colored resort for the past five weeks ended abruptly today, as the place was ordered closed by Homer W. Snowden, a stockholder of the Texas-Nevada corporation, which has attempted to operate the hostelry since May 1” - Review Journal 7/19/49
The hotel changed hands and reopened as the Shamrock in 1950. Ownership and management changed again through the early-mid 50s, and they were closed by decade’s end. Shopping mall Desert Aire Center was built in its place in 1960.