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Photographs of El Sombrero Mexican Bistro sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017

Date

2017-03-03
2017-08-28

Description

The El Sombrero Mexican Bistro sign sits at 807 South Main Street. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 807 S Main St
Sign owner: Irma Aguirre
Sign details: This modest, family-owned restaurant has been in town since the 1950's. It was then sold to the current owner, Irma Aguirre, and closed for a brief moment for renovation in 2014. They have been serving favorites like burritos, enchiladas, taco, and tamales for six decades. Even with their modern updates, they are still staying as true to their past as they possibly can.
Sign condition: 5, the sign is still in beautiful condition.
Sign form: Hanging sign
Sign-specific description: The sign for the business extends out from the property towards the street. The rectangular sign is a bright blue that matches the color of the building. On the top outer corner of the sign sits a sombrero with a red and white striped band in the middle portion of the hat. The words "El Sombrero" are painted on the brim of the hat. There are skeletal neon tubes outline the hat and the words "El Sombrero." Next to this is a small sign, within the overall design of the rest of the sign, that is designed to look ripped on both sides and reads "Mexican Food" in red letters. Neon tubes outline these words. Underneath these elements of the sign is the word "CAFE" in bold white text with a thin black border. Neon tubes fill these letters as well. Extending from the bottom of the sign is a small rectangle with the building number "807" painted in black.
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Steel
Sign environment: The area that this restaurant sits is right between the Arts District and the excitement of Fremont Street. The locations nearby is a bail bond store, a supply stores for gaming, lawn equipment, and discount appliances. It is also a short distance from the North Premium Outlets.
Sign - date of installation: Circa 1950's
Sign - date of redesign/move: Possibly 2014, they closed this year to renovate the building and the sign looks different today from earlier images of the sign. Before they renovated the building the sign included some sort of striped scarf/cloth underneath the sombrero. However, after the renovation this must have been painted over.
Sign - thematic influences: The sombrero on the sign also lends itself to the name of the property and the "Mexican Food" sign within the sign explicitly tells you what type of restaurant this is. It tells you the theme right away.
Sign - artistic significance: The sign itself is very simple, but the few specific design elements of the sign are very distinct to the property. The sombrero is a nice touch to emphasize the name of the restaurant and the "Mexican Food" sign is helpful in letting both motorists and pedestrians know what type of food they serve.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas weekly article https://lasvegasweekly.com/dining/reviews/2014/nov/19/revamped-el-sombrero-cafe-mexican-downtown/ , Review Journal article https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/el-sombrero-a-mix-of-modern-classic/, asessor's page
Surveyor: Lauren Vaccaro
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-28
Sign keywords: Neon; Steel; Hanging; Cantilever construction

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Photographs of Star Motel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017

Date

2017-03-03
2017-08-21

Description

The Star Motel sign sits at 1418 South Third Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 1418 S 3rd St
Sign owner: M V Star Group LLC
Sign details: 0.33 acre lot, originally constructed in 1947.
Sign condition: 4 - The sign is in excellent condition, but it does not light up at night.
Sign form: Pole sign
Sign-specific description: The sign itself is attached to a silver pole that extends out toward 3 rd St and is planted into the ground. On the top of the pole is a bright, blue star with a smaller white star in the center. The neon tubes attached to the sign are in concentric star shapes radiating out from the center. Extending out from the star to 3 rd st and curving back towards the pole that hold the sign is a trail implying that this is a shooting star. The first third of this trail is white and then the paint changes to yellow and remains yellow for the rest of the trail. The entire trail of the star is covered with yellow incandescent light bulbs. There are three very thin steel poles on the opposite side of the star from where the trail is attached. These smaller poles run parallel to the main pole of the sign and end about the same place where the tail of the star ends at the other side of the pole. Attached to these thin poles are stars ranging in size and made out of neon tubes. About at the midpoint of the main pole supporting the sign is a minimal, bright blue arrow that has "MOTEL" painted on it in bold white letters with a black outline. Neon tubes in the shape of each letter are attached to the center of the letters. Attached to the bottom of the tail end of this arrow is a smaller, minimal, black arrow that has "VACANCY" painted on it in bold white letters. Neon tubes in the shape of these letters fill this sign as well.
Sign - type of display: Neon and Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel
Sign animation: Unknown, as it no longer lights. However according to RoadArch.com, at one time it might have flashed.
Sign environment: The property is in the heart of the Arts District. It resides next to many other small motels in this neighborhood. It is only a few blocks away from Main Street and Charleston where there are many art galleries, restaurants, and vintage boutiques.
Sign - date of installation: c. 1950s
Sign - date of redesign/move: Based on earlier photographs from the 1950's, the sign's main star that is blue with a smaller white star in the center was originally all white. Also, the white and yellow trail it leaves behind was initially all yellow as well. It is also believed that there were more stars attached to the metal bars that extend from the blue and white star and that they would have flashed.
Sign - thematic influences: A popular theme for properties during this time was the Space Age and this is sign is an example of that influential theme.
Sign - artistic significance: This sign shows an influence of the Space Age that was going on during the late 50's. Many motel signs in the city evoked the theme for the property and this sign does so for the Star Motel.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's website, Vintage Vegas, www.roadarch.com
Surveyor: Lauren Vaccaro
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-21
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Pole sign

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Photographs of LV Tattoo, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017

Date

2017-03-03
2017-08-31

Description

LV Tattoo sits at 25 East Fremont Street inside the Fremont Street Experience. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site address: 25 Fremont St
Sign owner: Johnny Law
Sign details: The original construction year of the building was 1940. This tattoo parlor was opened by Johnny Law in the 2000s , and Johnny also doubles as a tattoo artist at this property as well. There are about 9 main tattoo artists and piercers at this parlor that is housed in the Fremont Street Experience. Since they are on the second floor on the corner of Fremont and First St. their guests can watch the zip line that goes down Fremont, but they can also watch the First Street Stage which holds concerts regularly.
Sign condition: 5-Very good condition and shines bright
Sign form: Sign in Window
Sign-specific description: Their sign is placed within the windows of their second floor storefront. There are 6 windows and each one has a big letter in each which spells out "TATTOO" in double lined red skeletal neon letters.
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Steel
Sign environment: This property is on the second floor of the building on the South corner of Fremont and First St. Below the Tattoo shop is a gift shop. This property has the remnants of the Famous Pioneer Club with Vegas Vic to the West. The Golden Nugget across the street to the East of this property. Also to the North is the First Street concert venue.
Sign - date of installation: 2015
Sign - thematic influences: Use of red Neon shows the classic design particularly with the skeletal neon.
Sign - artistic significance: No specific era presented, but shows how a modern store can use a classic design style. Also it shows how the classic neon is still alive on Fremont and every company has down there has neon.
Survey - research locations: LV Tattoo website, assessor's website
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-31
Sign keywords: Neon; Steel; Building-front design

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Photographs of ABC Stores sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017

Date

2017-03-03
2017-09-01

Description

The ABC Stores sign sits at 23 East Fremont Street inside the Fremont Street Experience. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site address: 23 Fremont St
Sign owner: Sidney and Minnie Kosasa
Sign details: The idea of the ABC stores originated in Hawaii with their first store opening in Waikiki in 1964 as a traveler convenience store selling groceries, cosmetics and souvenirs. The company now has location here in Las Vegas as well as Guam and Saipan. The owners wanted a name that everyone could remember so they named it ABC. The building that houses this ABC Store on Fremont was originally constructed in 1940. The property opened as the ABC Stores in November of 2001.
Sign condition: 5- relatively new and in good condition.
Sign form: Flat bullnose sign, though nearly a canopy sign
Sign-specific description: Above their entrance are big silver plumes that are all lined with chasing incandescent. At night these plumes look like a iridescent pearl color. There is one big plume in the middle and two on either side of the big one. On the middle plume there is a blade sign stating "ABC (vertically) Stores (horizontally)" which is also lined in incandescent on the roadside portion of the sign. The blade portion is a backlit plastic sign. Above the silver plumes is "ABC STORES" in channeled block font letters. These letters are outlined in blue neon (argon) and have gold colored incandescent that are flashing.
Sign - type of display: Neon, incandescents and backlit plastic signs
Sign - media: Plastic and steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Neon, incandescents and backlit plastic signs
Sign animation: Chaser for the incandescents on the plumes and flasher on the incandescents in the ABC letters above the plumes.
Sign environment: This property is on Fremont in between Main and First Street. To the east would be the site of the old Famous Pioneer Club and La Bayou was to the west, but has been torn down in the past year. Across the street was the Glitter Gulch.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: 2001
Sign - thematic influences: The plumes that this location has look very similar to the 1970's Raul Rodriguez Flamingo feathers.
Sign - artistic significance: Could be reminiscent of the 1970's Flamingo Feathers designed by Raul Rodriguez. Though it is also remnant of the old showgirl outfits with their plumes and big feathery outfits.
Survey - research locations: ABC website http://www.abcstores.com/about/ , Acessor's Page, contact with Lovella Joy C. Romulando the Assistant Property manager.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-01
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Plastic; Steel; Chasing; Flashing; Bullnose

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Photographs of 4 Queens signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017

Date

2017-03-03
2017-09-17

Description

The 4 Queens Hotel & Casino sits at 202 Fremont Street inside the Fremont Street Experience. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site name: Four Queens Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 202 Fremont St
Sign owner: Four Queens Inc.
Sign details: Construction began on November 16, 1964, opening on June 2, 1966. The casino is named after the builder's, Ben Goffstein, four daughters.
Sign condition: 5, this signage is in excellent condition and well maintained
Sign form: Decorated Shed
Sign-specific description: A bullnose sits over the main corner entry, with the "4 Queens" at the very top of the bullnose, and the bullnose itself is of gold and black strips. The 4 has red crown at the very top of the number. The rest of the property is surrounded by a neon canopy with various can letters that spell "Four Queens," "Hotel & Casino."
Sign - type of display: Neon, Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel
Sign animation: Flickering incandescent lights
Sign environment: Property faces Fremont Street, near other larger casino properties.
Sign - date of installation: c. 1966
Sign - thematic influences: The property also decided to wrap a good portion of the building with neon in the 1960s, similar to that of the Golden Nugget and Binion's Horseshoe
Sign - artistic significance: The theme of the property seems to represent a playing cards with the name of the 4 Queen, since there is also 4 queens in a traditional deck of cards.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's website, Vintagelasvegas.com
Surveyor: Lauren Vaccaro
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-17
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Bullnose; Flickering

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Photographs of Las Vegas Hostel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017

Date

2017-03-03
2017-09-09

Description

The Las Vegas Hostel sign sits at 1322 East Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site address: 1322 E Fremont St
Sign owner: Downtown Lodging LLC
Sign details: This building was originally constructed in 1973 for commercial living accommodations and motel purposes. Previous to the Las Vegas Hostel opening in late 2014/early 2015 it was USA hostel whom used the sign box that the Las Vegas Hostel currently uses today. They have 38 rooms of different variety and 158 beds as a cheaper option that the hotels. They also offer packages to do tours of surrounding places such and the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam. They also claim to be the only Hostel in Las Vegas with a pool.
Sign condition: 4.5- The sign box was recently repainted and the plastic portion of this sign is relatively new and both still are in good condition
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: This sign has a reddish/pink steel beam base. There are two sign boxes the top one is a rectangle shape and the bottom one is a oval-rectangular shape. Currently the top rectangle box does not have any signage in it but if it did it would be a plastic or steel sign that would be down lit by an LED spotlight. The bottom one has a plastic back lit sign with the hostel's logo. Their logo entails "Las Vegas Hostels" in modern bright colored block fonts. The "Las" letters are a bright orange, the "Vegas" letters are a magenta pink, and "Hostels" in a bright light blue.
Sign - type of display: Plastic Back lit sign
Sign - media: Steel and Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: LED and Plastic back lit signage
Sign environment: On the Intersection of East Fremont St and 14th street. A few blocks from the Fremont East District but is in a neighborhood with many different motels though many of them are currently closed
Sign - date of installation: The sign boxes have been up like this since at least 2007 but with different logos within the sign boxes
Sign - date of redesign/move: Late 2014/ early 2015 they repainted the beam and boxes of the sign and inserted the Las Vegas Hostel logo.
Sign - thematic influences: Since this sign was re-purposed and redesigned it shows how Vegas is constantly changing but can reuse old signs from previous properties.
Sign - artistic significance: The bright colors in the sign show that they are going for a modern vibe which works since they opened in the past few years and have events such as pool parties that appeal to the youth that comes through Vegas.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas Hostel Website http://lasvegashostel.net/en_US/rooms/, Assessor's page, google maps satellite and roadside view
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-09
Sign keywords: Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Pole sign

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Photographs of Siegel Suites sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017

Date

2017-03-03
2017-09-17

Description

The Siegel Suites sits at 1500 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site address: 1500 Fremont St
Sign owner: Siegel Suites
Sign details: 0.50 acre lot, construction date was 1980. Prior to the property becoming Siegel Suites in Jan. 2013, it was the Sunflower Apartments.
Sign condition: 5 looks in good condition, no broken pieces, looks clean, and no graffiti.
Sign form: Back to Back Monument Sign
Sign-specific description: Double sided sign with what looks like a plaster covered pole to hold it up, small pedestal at the bottom. Plexi-glass or plastic on the cabinet portion with the words "SIEGEL SUITES Fremont 1" on the top portion then " FLEXIBLE STAY LIVING" under that. Royal blue background and edges, yellow outlining around the sign with a double crescent moon symbol on the top, white font for wording but yellow and blue outlining the words. The support pole of the sign is a cream yellow color with a stone gray colored base, the address painted on the support pole in a royal blue.
Sign - type of display: Internal lighting
Sign - media: Steel, plastic and plastered mount
Sign environment: Property is surrounded by other motels, convenience stores and local businesses.
Sign - date of installation: c. 2014
Sign - date of redesign/move: Current sign replaced Sunflower Apartments sign in c. 2014
Sign - artistic significance: Typical alternate living space for temporary living, details on building insinuate a barn like look or old European Tudor style homes.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's website
Survey - research notes: https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/courts/man-indicted-in-death-of-mother/ https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/courts/one-arrested-one-victim-identified-in-double-shooting-at-sunflower-apartments/ http://www.mynewplace.com/apartment/sunflower-apartments-las-vegas-nv-200602277975
Surveyor: Danny Jacobs
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-17
Sign keywords: Steel; Plastic; Back to back; Internally illuminated; Pole sign

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Photographs of Cash for Cars sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017

Date

2017-03-03
2017-09-27

Description

The Cash For Cars sign sits at 1716 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 1716 Fremont St
Sign owner: California Auto Sales
Sign details: This location was built in 1971
Sign condition: 3- The sign has a lot of damage on the road side of the sign.
Sign form: Pylon that has characteristics of a blade
Sign-specific description: This roadside pylon has a long yellow thin round base that the sign hangs off of like a blade. It has 4 pieces of steel that connect it to the red portion of the sign. The main portion of the sign is all outlined in a red steel rectangle that contain incandescent light bulbs. Then from the top down there are 8 plastic rectangles that are back lit by reader boards that each say something different but all in the same font. The first one is a silhouette of a car followed by "Cars", " Direct", another silhouette of a car, "Great", "Deals", their phone number , then their address. Below the plastic back lit signs is a round steel sign with white painted letters stating, "Cash for Cars" in neon. This circle has a white border in incandescent light bulbs as well.
Sign - type of display: Neon, Plastic, incandescent and a plastic reader board
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Backlit plastic portion of sign and reader board
Sign animation: Chaser for incandescent light bulbs
Sign environment: This location is on the east side of Fremont near Bruce St. and has many different motels near it, but is close to a residential area.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: Has been up since at least 2007
Sign - thematic influences: This sign has similar traits to the Genuine Auto Parts sign.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's page, google maps satellite and street view
Survey - research notes: On google maps road view you can see the sign in the 2007 view but it must be a lot older than that since even in that year it had quite a bit of damage but no other photos or records were found finding its exact year of installation.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-27
Sign keywords: Blade; Neon; Plastic; Incandescent; Chasing; Reader board; Pole sign

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Photographs of Octapharma Plasma sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017

Date

2017-03-03
2017-09-02

Description

The Octapharma Plasma center sits at 1732 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 1732 Fremont St
Sign owner: Octapharma Plasma Inc.
Sign details: The original construction year of the building is 1977. This located opened as an Octapharma plasma donation facility in 2010. Octapharma was created by Wolfgang Margurre in Switzerland in 1983 to create plasma products to help save lives.
Sign condition: 4-Relatively recent renovation of their roadside sign and their entrance sign still has bright colors
Sign form: Roadside sign and entrance sign
Sign-specific description: The roadside sign is a long thin steel rod coming out of the ground with a sharp tip. (almost looks like a big toothpick coming out of the ground) This portion of the sign used to be red from the previous owners of this property when it was named "Pyramid". After 2011 Octapharma had this portion of the sign painted blue for them. Close to the sharp tip of this sign there is a sign box that holds plastic backlit signs. For Octapharma it is a white plastic background with blue "Octapharma Plasma" in block type letters. Above their entrance they have blue plastic channeled letters spelling out "Octapharma Plasma" which is backlit making it illuminate blue at night.
Sign - type of display: Back lit plastic sign
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: LED and Plastic back lit signs
Sign environment: This property is far East Fremont on the intersection of Bruce Street which is about a block from the main intersection of Eastern and Fremont St. This location has many motels surrounding it as well as some convenience stores.
Sign - date of installation: Main roadside sign was repurposed for Octapharma around 2010 so this sign does date back to at least 2007
Sign - date of redesign/move: Roadside Sign redesigned for Octapharma around 2010, with repainting the red portion of the roadside sign blue.
Sign - thematic influences: This style of sign is very similar to the sign that PublicUs has which is just about a block West of this company. These signs are similar with both being re-purposed and repainted when their company started to use their sign as well as the thin steel base and the back lit plastic sign.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's page, Octapharma website http://octapharmaplasma.com/donor/center/18536 , google map satellite and roadside view for images and transition of signage
Survey - research notes: Octapharma has research and donation centers in 113 countries to help create plasma based medicine to help cure people with immune disorders, as well as burn victims.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-02
Sign keywords: Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Roadside; Building-front design; Pole sign

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Photographs of Sterling Gardens sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017

Date

2017-03-03
2017-08-31

Description

The Sterling Gardens sits at 1808 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 1808 Fremont St
Sign owner: PROVIEW SERIES 19 LLC
Sign details: 1947 was the original construction year of the building for motel/ commercial living accommodations and has been that since its construction under many different names most recently known as the Bonanza Lodge Motel before the Sterling Gardens renovated and reopened in 2013. This boutique hotel is known for their Western Themed room as well as a retro 1960's themed room as well.
Sign condition: 5 - renovated sign
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: This roadside pylon has a rectangular base that holds a reader board box that they can add or take out different plastic backlit advertisements. On the back corner of this portion there is a black blade that comes out that has white squares that encase the blue mid century modern font that spell out "STERLING" vertically. On both the left and right side of the "G" there are two blue diamond shapes lined with skeletal neon. Under the vertical letters of "STERLING", horizontally is "Gardens" spelled out in green skeletal neon. Next to the cursive gardens word they have a small red skeletal neon "No Vacancy" sign.
Sign - type of display: Neon and backlit
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Reader board
Sign environment: On the far East side of Fremont this location is surrounded by many other motels and boutique hotels.
Sign - date of installation: Original from Bonanza - c. 1950s
Sign - date of redesign/move: 2013 when it became the Sterling Gardens
Sign - thematic influences: Since this sign was a repurposed sign it shows how many of the motels on East Fremont have been around since the 40's/50's but have changed names and ownership many times, but they still keep the older signs and just fit it to their own needs.
Sign - artistic significance: The font that they use for the letters "Sterling" is a classic Mid century modern font that you could have seen for an older diner or movie theater/drive in.
Survey - research locations: assessor's website
Survey - research notes: Sterling Gardens Website http://www.sterlinggardenshotel.com/
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-31
Sign keywords: Neon; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Reader board; Roadside; Pole sign

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