The Pabst Blue Ribbon sign sits near the intersection of Fremont Street and North Las Vegas Boulevard in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site address: Fremont St and Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: PBR Donated, but a part of Fremont Street East
Sign details: PBR held a revealing party when installed in 2015, right next to The Park on Fremont. YESCO manufactured the 30 feet tall sign is nicknamed Cool Blue. Previous to this sign in this location the Maharaja Hookah Cafe had their signage in the same location previous to 2013.
Sign condition: 5, just installed in 2015 so neon and paint are still in great condition
Sign form: Free Standing Sign
Sign-specific description: 30 feet tall, the sign is nicknamed Cool Blue. A 30 foot waiter holding his arm out with 3 beers on his arm and one in his hand. The beers are animated with them lighting up in order starting with the one closest to his body. His arm is resting on a PBR can. The waiters shirt and cheeks illuminate red neon while the rest of his body illuminates blue argon. The PBR beer can illuminates red and blue as well.
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Steel
Sign animation: The Beer cans on the waiters arm light up in order, starting with the one closest to his body.
Sign environment: This is located in the parking lot on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. North and Fremont St. East next to the Park on Fremont. This marks the beginning of the Fremont Street East District were other freestanding Neon signs are as well.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: 2015
Sign - thematic influences: The retro theme makes it look like a throwback to 1950s/60s advertisement. Also since it is for a beer company it shows that Neon does not always have to be for the Casinos here in Vegas. This is one of the first freestanding signs you see in the Fremont Street East District, thus showing that the Neon community downtown still is thriving and still defines our culture here.
Survey - research locations: YESCO website http://www.yesco.com/news/yesco-installs-pabst-blue-ribbon-neon-sign/ , Vital Vegas website https://vitalvegas.com/downtowns-fremont-east-gets-a-new-neon-sign-courtesy-of-pbr/ , google map roadside view
Survey - research notes: Since this is a freestanding sign it is difficult to find any specific information on a single owner or why this sign was placed there specifically.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-07-22
Sign keywords: Neon; Steel; Back to back; Monument sign

The Downtowner Motel sign sits at 129 North Eighth Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site address: 129 N 8th St
Sign owner: Robert and Ada Cohen
Sign details: Original Construction year of this building was 1935 and maintains the Art Deco design to the building. This location was originally built for a motel or apartments, but has mainly been used for motels since its construction.
Sign condition: 5- In great condition and looks as though it may have been restored or repainted recently because of how good it looks
Sign form: Double sided Porte Cochere (Facing both sides of the street)
Sign-specific description: This sign is above their two story building, as used as a directional sign for the tunnel passageway to the parking lot since there is a linear arrow pointing diagonally from the top of the sign to where the drivers would need to go. This arrow is lined with chasing incandescent light bulbs. To building side of the arrow there is a long thin red parallel trapezoid that spells out "MOTEL" in a painted white block font that is lined with Skeletal Neon that illuminates red at night. Underneath this one about a foot down is another long thin red parallel trapezoid that has white painted letters stating "Downtowners APTS." the downtowner part is a cursive font that illuminates blue at night,a and the Apts. part is in block letter that illuminates red at night.
Sign - type of display: Neon and incandescent light bulbs
Sign - media: Steel
Sign animation: Chasing
Notes: incandescent light bulbs
Sign environment: This location is on N 8th Street just a few blocks north of the Fremont Street East District, but near Ogden.
Sign - date of installation: Roadside Architecture website http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas2.html says it has been there since at least the mid 1960's
Sign - thematic influences: This sign is remnant of the vintage motorcade motel signs that one could see along any highway during the traveling era of the 50's/60's.
Sign - artistic significance: The arrow is reminiscent of the 1950's/60's directional arrows.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's Page, Roadside Architecture http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas2.html , Downtowner Motel website http://downtownerlv.com/
Survey - research notes: The building showcases remnants of Art deco style and mid-century modern architectural styles. The panels in between the doors/windows have the art deco design and then the canopies above the windows and doorways have a mid-century modern curvilinear canopies.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-06
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Chasing; Directional; Pole sign

The El Portal Gift Shop sits at 310 Fremont Street inside the Fremont Street Experience. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site address: 310 Fremont St
Sign owner: HS Family LP c/o J. Blut
Sign details: The building was constructed in 1928 (Assessor). The El Portal Theatre opened June 21, 1928 as the first building in Las Vegas to install air conditioning (Cinema Treasures). The theater closed in the 1970's and the site became El Portal Gifts and then a Native American arts and crafts store (Cinema Treasures). The current owner has received approval to turn the building into a food court and tavern (Lazara, 2017).
Sign condition: Condition is 5. The cabinet, paint and lighting are all in top condition. A few light bulbs are missing from the light boxes on either side of the sign.
Sign form: Blade
Sign-specific description: The metal "L" shaped cabinet points inward toward the building. The cabinet is painted turquoise. Two rows of white incandescent bulbs run along the spine of the cabinet. "El" is spelled out horizontally across the top of the sign in white cursive channel letters with the interior outlined in white neon. "PORTAL" runs vertically down the cabinet in sans serif white channel letters with the interiors filled with three rows of white neon. At the bottom of the sign is a white channel arrow which is filled in by three rows of turquoise neon. The sign is inserted between two rectangular light boxes which angle out from the building to the edge of the sign. The light boxes are outlined with clear incandescent light bulbs, have a red and turquoise Native American blanket style design on each end and state "INDIAN ARTS &CRAFTS" in serif Native American style lettering. The light boxes are made to appear as if they are supported by two totem poles painted in back, white, red and turquoise.
Sign - type of display: Neon and incandescent (with lightboxes adjacent)
Sign - media: Steel (and plastic in adjacent lightboxes)
Sign - non-neon treatments: Lightboxes adjacent to sign
Sign environment: In the Fremont Street Experience. Sounded by other storefronts and casinos.
Sign - thematic influences: The El Portal building is Spanish Colonial style. The light boxes are Native American style.
Survey - research locations: Recorder's office
Survey - research notes: Cinema Treasures. (n.d.). El Portal Theatre. Retrieved from http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1888 Lazara, G. (2017 June 13). The old El Portal Theatre to become a tavern. Retrieved from http://www.ktnv.com/news/the-old- el-portal- theatre-to- become-a- tavern
Surveyor: Mitchell Cohen
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-11
Sign keywords: Blade; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Light box; Plastic

Photos show Mirage signs during the daytime. Two surveys were conducted to gather information about this sign. One was conducted in 2002 and one was conducted in 2017. PDFs are available for both surveys. See the 2017 survey PDF for additional information that is not included in the object description.
Site name: Mirage (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 3400 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: MGM Mirage
Sign details: The main attraction of the property is its spectacular exploding volcano placed among an astounding array of lagoons, waterfalls and palm trees. One of the themed hotel casinos, the architectural form takes precedence over an abundance of flashing lights and neon. Two pylon signs reside on the front of the property along Las Vegas Blvd, another on the west side of the property, two arched banner entrances are placed among them, lettering atop the towers, and various text placed among the vast stretch of landscaping are the only visible large elements of signage.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5 The structure and lighting on the signs are in excellent repair, with no apparent major physical damage. The surfaces of the pylons and assorted log text, are a bit dirty, but no more than any other establishment, considering the punishment each must undergo due to the elements as well as the live volcano.
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia; Porte-cochère
Sign-specific description: Just north of Caesars Palace a giant pylon sign faces north/south, on the east side of the strip. Two giant square posts support a giant backlit advertisement panel, and an adorning entablature containing the channel letters spelling "Mirage." Between the two giant legs two cabinets are present to fill the space. Just below the main backlit panel an LED screen resides just above another back lit panel. The two giant legs have a series of polished metallic panels running vertically up the sides, creating a recessed channel. The sections are separated with slight overhangs. The bottom smaller panel cabinet is an advertisement for "Danny Gans" and the main panel advertises for the "Seigfried and Roy" magic show. A small banner rests between the main entablature, and the panel, reading "Magicians of the Century." The black channel letters in the main pediment spells "The Mirage," and are filled with incandescent bulbs. The lush foliage and walkways continue north where a covered awning faced with a carved wood and brass bullnose, allows pedestrians to take a moving walkway up to the resort. The landscaping continues north where it meets a driveway denoted by a low arched banner supported by a pair of square columns on either end. "The Mirage" is spelled in polished gold channel letters, with white interiors and filled with incandescent bulbs. The banner itself is sculpted into two sweeping solid shapes on the tops and bottoms, with a series of folded ribbon like scroll shapes. The center section is crafted as to allow light to pass through the negative spaces created by the rows of positive scroll shapes. The banners face east. On the faces of each of the flanking posts, two images of jumping dolphins are sculpted and finished in the same fashion. Past the gateway the thick beds of foliage and palm trees can be seen headed back along the drives. Continuing north a multi tiered lagoon rushes circulating water on and over waterfalls, while yet more green shrubbery and palm trees encrust islands and images of eroded rocks and geological formations. The beautiful imagery continues north, twisting and turning in and behind itself to create a fantastic spectacle for a passerby to be lured in and be fascinated. Approximately in the middle of the length of the expanse, the famous functioning volcano rests quietly amongst smaller rocks and waterfalls. Just past the volcano the lagoon opens up into a wide flat area of water where bronze dolphins are positioned to look as if they are jumping out of the water. Still the rich foliage dominates the landscape, until another arched gateway interrupts the expanse to allow traffic. The foliage, and lagoon landscaping, picks up again, cozily grasping the base of a smaller pylon of similar design as the first. The two reflective paneled legs rise up to connect with a horizontal piece of the same design. A large backlit cabinet advertising for Danny Gans occupies approximately three-quarters of the space between the legs. An entablature of the same design as the main pylon, yet smaller, crowns the top of the sign. The trademark font spells "The Mirage" in black channel letters and filled with incandescent bulbs. Just past the small double sided pylon, a small of recess of rocks plays home to the end marker of the Mirage. A bust of Siegfried and Roy with a tiger is ambiently lit, provided photo opportunities for tourists. An interesting function has been added to the bust. In the flower bed behind and on the sides of the object, faux boulders are places with glowing crystals protruding from the surface. The tower of rooms for the Mirage is the popular three winged "Y" configuration converging onto a center structure. On each face of each wing, giant black channel letters spell "The Mirage" in their trademark text. Each is filled with incandescent bulbs.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign animation: Oscillating
Notes: The incandescent bulbs located within text logos on the pylon sign, and upon the tower oscillate to appear as shimmering. The effect is one of the more common animations particularly among the larger, corporate casinos.
Sign environment: The placement of the Mirage right on the curve of the Strip makes the pylons visible from a good distance from either direction. The environment displayed by the mirage is that of paradise. When walking past, and up to the property, it hard not to stop and stare at the amazing foliage and spread of waterfalls, and rocks.
Sign manufacturer: Ad-Art
Sign designer: Pylons: Charles Barnard with touches from Wynn's design group Atlandia Design Group. Dolphin Archways: Barnard and Jack Dubois as well as hotel architect, Joel Bergman
Sign - date of installation: 1989
Sign - date of redesign/move: The main pylon has since been updated with a new Siegfried and Roy Back lit Mural, a new LED screen, and another back lit plastic screen featuring Danny Gans. An internally lit banner reads horizontally across the top of the giant Siegfried and Roy Mural which reads Magicians of the Century.
Sign - thematic influences: The theme is tropical island paradise. Complete with active volcano, the front spectacle of rushing waterfalls, chirping bird noises, and leaping bronze dolphins, serves as the backdrop for the simple, slim design of the property's pylon structure. The pylons were designed to reach harmony with the structure of the tower itself, rather than the island theme. The dolphins over the entrance arches however represent the tropical island theme, as well as speaking about the dolphin habitat inside.
Sign - artistic significance: The main pylon was the first of its kind to feature a full color illuminated photographic pictoral. Designed by Rosco, it was billed as the largest of its type in the world. The resort's themed spectacular was also the first of it's kind in regards to its extravagance and unique functionality. Approximate 125,000 people visited the property on its opening day. The resort fits well into the theme of design of the large, corporate property, after all it was one of the pioneers of such a movement in Las Vegas. The Mirage also set the standards for the now frequently seen element of the attraction spectacle, and the standard of quality on the Las Vegas Strip
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Oscillating; Pylon; Fascia; Porte-cochère; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic

Dining at the Frontier Hotel, April 13, 1969. Pictured L-R: Mrs. Bonnie Gragson, Mrs. John Meier, Las Vegas Mayor Oran K. Gragson, John Meier, U. S. Alaska Senator Mike Gravel. The location where the photograph was taken is unknown. Oran Kenneth Gragson (February 14, 1911 - October 7, 2002) was an American businessman and politician. He was the longest-serving mayor of Las Vegas, Nevada, from 1959 to 1975. Gragson, a member of the Republican Party, was a small business owner who was elected Mayor on a reform platform against police corruption and for equal opportunity for people of all socio-economic and racial categories. Gragson died in a Las Vegas hospice on October 7, 2002, at the age of 91. The Oran K. Gragson Elementary School located at 555 N. Honolulu Street, Las Vegas, NV 89110 was named in his honor. Maurice Robert "Mike" Gravel (born May 13, 1930) is a former Democratic United States Senator from Alaska, who served two terms from 1969 to 1981, and a candidate in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. He served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1963 to 1966 and also became Speaker of the Alaska House. Gravel was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1968. John H. Meier (born September 28, 1933) is an American financier and business consultant now living in Vancouver, Canada. He is noted for his involvement with Howard Hughes, his behind-the-scenes involvement in events that precipitated President Richard M. Nixon's resignation, and his work in the environment. During the Watergate hearings, one man wanted to tell a spellbound nation secrets about the Nixon White House, the CIA and Howard Hughes. He could have told them why the burglary happened, but that was not what the Committee wanted to hear. To keep him from telling his secrets, he was persecuted, jailed and forced into exile in Canada. Investigative reporter Gerald Bellett detailed everything in a book called Age of Secrets. In a revised edition for the first time is an excerpt from John Meier's diary on the Robert F. Kennedy Assassination. John Meier is the first person to reveal everything from the Hughes Organization, and Robert Maheu’s, involvement with the assassination, to Thane Cesar ’s connection to Jack Hooper.

Daytime views of the Glass Pool Inn signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 4613 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: Located on the very south end of Las Vegas Blvd the Glass Pool Inn boasts a Pylon/Pole sign along the east side of the Strip. Both the sign and the adjacent lounge, which holds vestiges of wall signs, are directly Northwest of the famed glass Portaled pool, where the establishment takes its name.
Sign condition: Structure 3 Surface 2 Lighting 2
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The Glass Pool's main sign is a double-backed, double poled, internally lit pylon design. The top portion, a sculpted internally lit marquee in the classic kidney pool shape, reads "Glass Pool Inn." A smaller sign of similar water referenced design, sits below the main marquee. They are both contained in sheet metal framed painted blue. The bottom portion is comprised of a incandescent bulb LED matrix center, a Sheet metal message center containing a small plastic readerboard with vinyl letters, and a red neon sign for vacancy. The boxes or the message centers are also blue sheet metal.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: none
Sign environment: The Glass Pool Inn sits on south end of the strip among the small dying hotels of Las Vegas Blvd's earlier history, it is one of the first signs you see traveling North on the strip entering town. Just north lies the beginning of the main flood of architecture from the modern strip; while to its south are the beginnings of the strip and the spawning new growth of Las Vegas. The Glass Pool stands in the unique position of being in that gateway of entering the Las Vegas Strip
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: 1953
Sign - date of redesign/move: In 1989 when Steve Wynn was establishing the Mirage, there was another property which also had the name: the small southern Strip, roadside motel. When Wynn acquired the name the original Mirage simply changed its name to the Glass Pool Inn. The original sign was left in place, and simply remodeled to fit the new name of the motel. Permitted by the county to refurbish in December of 1988.
Sign - thematic influences: Water and the pool itself, kidney-shaped design.
Sign - artistic significance: The Glass Pool is an artistic artifact of the older smaller strip hotels. Artistically it is reminiscent of the roadside pole sign used to attract traffic. It represents one of the last strip roadside motels in that portion of the Strip.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint