The west side of Las Vegas, the area west of I-15 and north of West Bonanza Road, is a traditionally African American neighborhood once known as McWilliams's Township. It developed across the railroad tracks from downtown because of segregation; many African Americans arrived in the area in the 1930s, and their numbers increased dramatically after World War II. The city's laws and policies prohibited people of color from living in most parts of Las Vegas until the late 1960s. For much of its history, the Westside was chronically underserved; running water and paved streets arrived long after other parts of the city received these amenities. The city's decision to allow construction of I-15 through the district was a further detriment. Although the civil rights movement of the 1960s and its legacy have made Las Vegas a more integrated place, the Westside remains predominantly African American.
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