Cotton Club (Las Vegas) facts for kids
| Address | 500 Jackson Avenue Las Vegas, Nevada United States |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1944 |
| Closed | 1957 |
The Cotton Club was a special club in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was located at 500 Jackson Avenue in the West Side area. This club was a welcoming place for African Americans.
History of the Cotton Club
The Cotton Club first opened in late 1944. It started as a small bar created by Moe Taub. It was one of the very first clubs for Black people. It was also one of the first to legally open outside of downtown Las Vegas.
A woman named Sarann Knight-Preddy worked at the club. She became a keno writer there. Keno is a type of lottery game. In 1950, Sarann made history. She was the first Black woman to get a gaming license in Nevada. This license allowed her to work in the gambling industry.
In July 1947, Jodie Cannon bought the Cotton Club. He sold it to Uvalde Caperton less than six months later. However, Cannon continued to work there as the manager. Sadly, the original club was destroyed. An explosion and fire happened in May 1948. Caperton owned the club until it closed in 1957.
What Happened Later
Years later, in 1969, Sarann Knight-Preddy opened a new club. She teamed up with Margie Elliot. They called their club the Playhouse Lounge. It was located in the same spot as the old Cotton Club. However, they could not get a gaming license for their new business. After about a year, they sold the club.
The location reopened from 1970 to 1985. It was known as "Love's Cocktail Lounge" during those years.
