Harrison Boarding House

Harrison's Guest House, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016, holds historical significance as an African American boarding house in Las Vegas, Nevada. Genevieve Harrison, drawn by defense industries during WWII, migrated from Texas to Nevada in the 1940s, capitalizing on the economic opportunities arising from the wartime labor influx and the presence of Black entertainers in nearby casinos. The house served as lodging for African American entertainers, including Nat King Cole, Pearl Bailey, and Sammy Davis, Jr. In an era marked by racial segregation in Las Vegas, especially during and after WWII, boarding houses like Harrison’s were crucial for African Americans facing limited accommodation options.

(Submitted by Shirley Beauchemin Thurston)