Search Results
Transcript of interview with Elaina Blake by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White, September 19, 2016
Date
2016-09-19
Archival Collection
Description
Coming from humble beginnings, Elaina Blake grew up in Port Orchard, Washington, where her father was in the logging industry and she involved herself in the love of horseback riding. After becoming engaged at age 16, she married the following year at 17 and moved to Las Vegas where she started as a statistical typist at the Sahara Hotel and Casino. This led to a position her to become an executive secretary at the Thunderbird where she dealt with the rampant sexual harassment that was typical of the executive office environment in the industry at the time. The rejection of those advances led her to start her career in real estate with Roberts Realty where she sold her first group of homes off of Nellis Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue. In 1976, she made the entrepreneurial move by buying into Roberts Realty, becoming an owner, and eventually buying out Young American Homes. She started giving back to the community through her service as being the first woman elected to president elect for the Chamber of Commerce in 1984 and also served on the Clark County Planning Commission for four years serving as vice chairman and chairman. She did such a wonderful job running the chamber, she was approached to run for Lieutenant Governor. Her involvement with the community increased during this time as she got involved with the United Way, saved the YMCA from closure and started the Focus School Project in 1989 with former superintendent Brian Cram where businesses adopt schools and provide money and volunteer. This project is still in operation today and has given back $8 million dollars to CCSD in volunteerism. During her time with the Chamber, she continued to work with major local builders such as Pageantry Homes, Heers Brothers, and Christopher Homes, which led to her taking another entrepreneurial milestone by taking a small team to create Blake and Associates. In 1996, Blake leveled up to become a developer starting with office buildings. As a champion for the inclusion of women, she never felt held back because of her gender and she always encouraged women in the Chamber to give more of themselves, even if it was for ten minutes because the men did so. In a male-dominated industry, Elaina Blake has been a trailblazer for women in business and the housing industry in the valley.
Text
Photographs of Happi Inn signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Archival Collection
Description
Evening and nighttime views of the Happi Inn signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 3939 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: The Happi Inn resides on the corner of Mandalay and Las Vegas Blvd, stretching east, ending at Gilles street. The property is the largest of the small roadside sites. The signage, however, is limited. Three pole signs and an internally lit cabinet comprise total signage. The two pole signs, being the tallest, reside on the north end of the property while a small vertical pole sign resides on the top of the building's roofline. The small internally lit cabinet sits over the drive, next to the main office.
Sign condition: Structure 3 Surface 4 Lighting 3 Notes: The structure of all the signs appear to be intact, with no visible, severe damage. Various lighting is out an all the signs, with the small roof line pole sign, no longer being lit. The internally lit cabinets on the sign within the pole sign furthest east, are no longer lit as well. The surfaces of the sign are intact, but are worn.
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: Two pole style pylons, reside on the north end of the property. On the rear of the property on the corner of Mandalay Bay and Gilles Street, is a simple design. A single white, steel pole, supports three, two- sided cabinets stacked on top of each other to create the shape. A small white, horizontal, rectangular, cabinet, has a white face with "Office" painted in red text, and a red arrow pointing to the west. It sits slightly off center the center pole. A tall, thin, vertical, rectangular cabinet, is painted orange, and has the world "Motel," spelled in all capital, white neon letters. Centered on top of this cabinet, another internally lit cabinet, white cabinet, crowns the sign. The cabinet has a green face with white text spelling "Happi Inn" in all capital letters. The main pole sign for the property is similar to the previous piece, but a bit more elaborate. As the white pole rises up from the ground it is met with a pair of black, cabinets, sandwiching the north and south sides of the pole. The sign itself faces north south. The cabinets are white faced with text painted upon the surface. Above the two cabinets, a double-backed cabinet is crafted into an "L" shape, facing north, and facing south it would be a "J" shape. Either way it is a horizontal cabinet, which makes a horizontal turn to the east. The foot of the character curves down to a point, while the vertical section, runs up the west side of the white pole, which continues upward. The vertical surface contains the text "Motel" that is written horizontally downward in all capital, white, painted text. The graphic text is shadowed over with neon tubing. The horizontal section has the words "vacancy" written in white all capital text, with red neon lying over the surface. The top of the sign is crowned with a double backed, six sided, geometric cabinet. The surface is green written in capital, white text, with the word "Happi" written in an arched pattern, with "Inn" written horizontally below that. Over the entrance to the driveway, stretching into the east-end of the lot, is a small, internally lit cabinet, with rounded ends. The face of sign is green plastic with "Happi Inn" written in all capitals, in a two lined text. White, scroll-type designs, flank, both sides of the text. Just past the Psychic Sessions, palmistry establishment, actually standing on the corner of the building, a vertical pole sign, rises in the sky. I single red pole shoots upward a short distance, with five double-backed square cabinets being speared through the center. Each cabinet, also red, contains 1 letter from the word "Motel, in all capitals." The letters are overlaid with neon as well/ Pointing down toward the property, an angled arrow, crafted in the same fashion and material as the cabinet, is positioned just below the east side of the cabinet containing the letter "E."
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, flashing, oscillating
Notes: the letters inside of the letters of the tower actually oscillate.
Sign environment: The Happi Inn is part of the distinctive section of the Strip comprised of older roadside motels, met with a few of the larger resort casinos. Facing west on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Mandalay Rd., the property resides in the shadow of Luxor. To the north, vacant land reaches until ended by the Tropicana property.
Sign - thematic influences: There appears to be no apparent theme associated with the Happi Inn other than the fact that it belongs to the style and genre of the roadside motel design seen throughout the southern end of the strip.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Pylon; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint
Site address: 3939 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: The Happi Inn resides on the corner of Mandalay and Las Vegas Blvd, stretching east, ending at Gilles street. The property is the largest of the small roadside sites. The signage, however, is limited. Three pole signs and an internally lit cabinet comprise total signage. The two pole signs, being the tallest, reside on the north end of the property while a small vertical pole sign resides on the top of the building's roofline. The small internally lit cabinet sits over the drive, next to the main office.
Sign condition: Structure 3 Surface 4 Lighting 3 Notes: The structure of all the signs appear to be intact, with no visible, severe damage. Various lighting is out an all the signs, with the small roof line pole sign, no longer being lit. The internally lit cabinets on the sign within the pole sign furthest east, are no longer lit as well. The surfaces of the sign are intact, but are worn.
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: Two pole style pylons, reside on the north end of the property. On the rear of the property on the corner of Mandalay Bay and Gilles Street, is a simple design. A single white, steel pole, supports three, two- sided cabinets stacked on top of each other to create the shape. A small white, horizontal, rectangular, cabinet, has a white face with "Office" painted in red text, and a red arrow pointing to the west. It sits slightly off center the center pole. A tall, thin, vertical, rectangular cabinet, is painted orange, and has the world "Motel," spelled in all capital, white neon letters. Centered on top of this cabinet, another internally lit cabinet, white cabinet, crowns the sign. The cabinet has a green face with white text spelling "Happi Inn" in all capital letters. The main pole sign for the property is similar to the previous piece, but a bit more elaborate. As the white pole rises up from the ground it is met with a pair of black, cabinets, sandwiching the north and south sides of the pole. The sign itself faces north south. The cabinets are white faced with text painted upon the surface. Above the two cabinets, a double-backed cabinet is crafted into an "L" shape, facing north, and facing south it would be a "J" shape. Either way it is a horizontal cabinet, which makes a horizontal turn to the east. The foot of the character curves down to a point, while the vertical section, runs up the west side of the white pole, which continues upward. The vertical surface contains the text "Motel" that is written horizontally downward in all capital, white, painted text. The graphic text is shadowed over with neon tubing. The horizontal section has the words "vacancy" written in white all capital text, with red neon lying over the surface. The top of the sign is crowned with a double backed, six sided, geometric cabinet. The surface is green written in capital, white text, with the word "Happi" written in an arched pattern, with "Inn" written horizontally below that. Over the entrance to the driveway, stretching into the east-end of the lot, is a small, internally lit cabinet, with rounded ends. The face of sign is green plastic with "Happi Inn" written in all capitals, in a two lined text. White, scroll-type designs, flank, both sides of the text. Just past the Psychic Sessions, palmistry establishment, actually standing on the corner of the building, a vertical pole sign, rises in the sky. I single red pole shoots upward a short distance, with five double-backed square cabinets being speared through the center. Each cabinet, also red, contains 1 letter from the word "Motel, in all capitals." The letters are overlaid with neon as well/ Pointing down toward the property, an angled arrow, crafted in the same fashion and material as the cabinet, is positioned just below the east side of the cabinet containing the letter "E."
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, flashing, oscillating
Notes: the letters inside of the letters of the tower actually oscillate.
Sign environment: The Happi Inn is part of the distinctive section of the Strip comprised of older roadside motels, met with a few of the larger resort casinos. Facing west on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Mandalay Rd., the property resides in the shadow of Luxor. To the north, vacant land reaches until ended by the Tropicana property.
Sign - thematic influences: There appears to be no apparent theme associated with the Happi Inn other than the fact that it belongs to the style and genre of the roadside motel design seen throughout the southern end of the strip.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Pylon; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint
Mixed Content
Photographs of Desert Moon Motel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), April 18, 2017
Date
2017-04-18
2017-08-22
Archival Collection
Description
The Desert Moon Motel sign sits at 1701 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site name: Desert Moon Motel (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 1701 Fremont St
Sign owner: Jerzy and Celina Kosla
Sign details: The building was constructed in 1942 (Assessor). According to one commentator, the Desert Moon motel opened on the site in 1952 (Roadside Architecture.com). The cars on a vintage postcard of the motel appear to date from the late 1940's or early 1950's (Ebay). The same vintage postcard (Ebay) shows the motel as a member of United Motor Courts, an early motel referral chain founded in 1933 which published a travel guide until the early 1950's (Wikipedia). Based in Santa Barbara, California, United Motor Courts was made up of "a friendly group of independent owners of motor lodges..." (Historic Highways). The Quality Inn motel franchise was a spinoff of United Motor Courts (Wikipedia). The motel has been renovated by its current owner, Polish immigrant George (Jerzy) Kosla (Glionna, 2017).
Sign condition: The sign is Condition 4, good. The paint appears slightly faded but there is no flaking or peeling. The cabinets, reader boards, and fiberglass moon are all in good condition. The neon is intact.
Sign form: Pole sign
Sign-specific description: The sign pole and metal cabinets are painted pink. The design and lettering are the same on both sides of the sign. The trapezoid-shaped lower cabinet extends horizontally toward the street. It contains a rectangular white plastic lightbox which states "FREE ADULT MOVIES" in red sans serif letters and "FLAT SCREEN TV'S in smaller black san serif letters. To the left of the letters is the black silhouette of a female figure. On the metal below the plastic screen are clear sans serif neon letters which spell out, "NO VACANCY" in red when illuminated. The upper metal cabinet hangs from the street side of the pole. White painted san serif letters, covered by clear sans serif neon letters which glow red when illuminated, run vertically down the cabinet to spell out, "XXX MOVIES". Five metal cabinets attached to the street side of the sign run vertically to spell out, "M-O- T-E- L" in white painted sans serif letters covered by yellow sans serif neon letters. On top of the pole is a white p
Sign - type of display: Neon, Lightbox
Sign - media: Steel, Plastic, Fiberglass
Sign - non-neon treatments: Lightbox
Sign environment: East Fremont Street, surrounded by other motels.
Sign - date of installation: c. 1950s
Sign - date of redesign/move: The now pink or faded red sign cabinets were painted blue in a 2003 photograph
Sign - thematic influences: Desert, Space Age, Western
Sign - artistic significance: The current sign appears to have taken the Western/Lunar theme from the previous sign and transformed it into a 1950's/1960's Space Age/Lunar theme
Survey - research locations: Assessor's website
Survey - research notes: Ebay. Las Vegas NV Desert Moon Motel roadside Nevada vintage linen postcard ca 1940s. Retrieved from https://picclick.com/LAS-VEGAS- NV-Desert- Moon-Motel- Roadside-Nevada- 141923576051.html Glionna, J. M. (2017 April 23). Motel, once a haven, now a crime-ridden jungle in downtown Las Vegas. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las- vegas/downtown/motel-once- a-haven- now-a- crime-ridden- jungle-in- downtown-las- vegas/ Historic Highways. (2007 July 14). Archive for the "Motel Associations" category: Looking for a motel in 1933. Retrieved from https://historichighways.wordpress.com/category/motel-associations/ Roadside Architecture. com (n.d.). Las Vegas Signs: Desert Moon Motel. Retrieved from http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas.html RoadsidPeek.com. (n.d.). Downtown motels Las Vegas: Desert Moon Motel. Retrieved from http://www.roadsidepeek.com/roadusa/southwest/nevada/vegas/lvmotel/lvdownmotel/index5.htm Wikipedia. (n.d.). Motel: 2.6 R
Survey - other remarks: A postcard circa early 1950's features a different sign with a saguaro cactus and quarter moon (Ebay). The current sign appears to have taken the Western/Lunar theme from the previous sign and transformed it into a Space Age/Lunar theme, which may indicate that the sign dates from the date from the late 1950's or 1960's.
Surveyor: Mitchell Cohen
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-22
Sign keywords: Neon; Steel; Plastic; Fiberglass; Pole sign; Light box; Sculptural
Site name: Desert Moon Motel (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 1701 Fremont St
Sign owner: Jerzy and Celina Kosla
Sign details: The building was constructed in 1942 (Assessor). According to one commentator, the Desert Moon motel opened on the site in 1952 (Roadside Architecture.com). The cars on a vintage postcard of the motel appear to date from the late 1940's or early 1950's (Ebay). The same vintage postcard (Ebay) shows the motel as a member of United Motor Courts, an early motel referral chain founded in 1933 which published a travel guide until the early 1950's (Wikipedia). Based in Santa Barbara, California, United Motor Courts was made up of "a friendly group of independent owners of motor lodges..." (Historic Highways). The Quality Inn motel franchise was a spinoff of United Motor Courts (Wikipedia). The motel has been renovated by its current owner, Polish immigrant George (Jerzy) Kosla (Glionna, 2017).
Sign condition: The sign is Condition 4, good. The paint appears slightly faded but there is no flaking or peeling. The cabinets, reader boards, and fiberglass moon are all in good condition. The neon is intact.
Sign form: Pole sign
Sign-specific description: The sign pole and metal cabinets are painted pink. The design and lettering are the same on both sides of the sign. The trapezoid-shaped lower cabinet extends horizontally toward the street. It contains a rectangular white plastic lightbox which states "FREE ADULT MOVIES" in red sans serif letters and "FLAT SCREEN TV'S in smaller black san serif letters. To the left of the letters is the black silhouette of a female figure. On the metal below the plastic screen are clear sans serif neon letters which spell out, "NO VACANCY" in red when illuminated. The upper metal cabinet hangs from the street side of the pole. White painted san serif letters, covered by clear sans serif neon letters which glow red when illuminated, run vertically down the cabinet to spell out, "XXX MOVIES". Five metal cabinets attached to the street side of the sign run vertically to spell out, "M-O- T-E- L" in white painted sans serif letters covered by yellow sans serif neon letters. On top of the pole is a white p
Sign - type of display: Neon, Lightbox
Sign - media: Steel, Plastic, Fiberglass
Sign - non-neon treatments: Lightbox
Sign environment: East Fremont Street, surrounded by other motels.
Sign - date of installation: c. 1950s
Sign - date of redesign/move: The now pink or faded red sign cabinets were painted blue in a 2003 photograph
Sign - thematic influences: Desert, Space Age, Western
Sign - artistic significance: The current sign appears to have taken the Western/Lunar theme from the previous sign and transformed it into a 1950's/1960's Space Age/Lunar theme
Survey - research locations: Assessor's website
Survey - research notes: Ebay. Las Vegas NV Desert Moon Motel roadside Nevada vintage linen postcard ca 1940s. Retrieved from https://picclick.com/LAS-VEGAS- NV-Desert- Moon-Motel- Roadside-Nevada- 141923576051.html Glionna, J. M. (2017 April 23). Motel, once a haven, now a crime-ridden jungle in downtown Las Vegas. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las- vegas/downtown/motel-once- a-haven- now-a- crime-ridden- jungle-in- downtown-las- vegas/ Historic Highways. (2007 July 14). Archive for the "Motel Associations" category: Looking for a motel in 1933. Retrieved from https://historichighways.wordpress.com/category/motel-associations/ Roadside Architecture. com (n.d.). Las Vegas Signs: Desert Moon Motel. Retrieved from http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas.html RoadsidPeek.com. (n.d.). Downtown motels Las Vegas: Desert Moon Motel. Retrieved from http://www.roadsidepeek.com/roadusa/southwest/nevada/vegas/lvmotel/lvdownmotel/index5.htm Wikipedia. (n.d.). Motel: 2.6 R
Survey - other remarks: A postcard circa early 1950's features a different sign with a saguaro cactus and quarter moon (Ebay). The current sign appears to have taken the Western/Lunar theme from the previous sign and transformed it into a Space Age/Lunar theme, which may indicate that the sign dates from the date from the late 1950's or 1960's.
Surveyor: Mitchell Cohen
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-22
Sign keywords: Neon; Steel; Plastic; Fiberglass; Pole sign; Light box; Sculptural
Mixed Content
Photographs of Fantasia signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Archival Collection
Description
Daytime and nighttime views of the Fantasia gift shop on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 2800 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: Fantasia on the Strip is located north of the Circus Circus, among the smaller properties located the northern end of the Strip before Sahara Avenue. The building faces east, only separated from the street by a small parking lot, which runs along the front of the property. The two-story building is adorned with a building length message cabinet, and sculpted, patterned raceways. The sign extends north across a drive designating parking in the rear. A small pole sign also sits on the east edge of the property.
Sign condition: Structure 3 Surface 4 Lighting 4 The Fantasia establishments signage looks decently weathered up close, for the colors and paint treatments are in good condition. The structure of the sign has a couple of anomalies that are apparent. The pole sign on the street side of the property has no face on the triangular portion of the surface. The far right hand side of the building fascia makes an uncomfortable transition into the support structure from the ground.
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: The design is a building front, message cabinet running the length of the facade of the building, facing east. The white, steel, paneled front cabinet contains Blue and red plastic text. The larger fonts run the entire length of the sign and read "Souvenirs, T-shirts, Gifts, Indian Jewelry, Moccasins, Liquor," in an "old west" style text seen on properties such as the Frontier. This arrangement's color is blue. The bottom line of text is smaller and is broken up into three separate phrases and distributed evenly across the surface. The left side reads, " Jewelry, Belts, Hats, Cactus" in red cursive. The center is blue western font, reading "Las Vegas Souvenirs." The right hand side is red cursive again reading "Sundries, Food, Beer Wine, Ice." The bottom and top edges are lined with yellow raceways with incandescent bulbs. The top edge is created by a repeating series of raceway arches, matching the finish of the other edges. The top edge of repeating arches continues north past the edge of the cabinet onto a smaller, much thinner cabinet. The thinner cabinet looks as is if it is a continuation of the main sign with pieces cut out of it. The arches continue to the end of the extension and down connecting to a steel I-beam linked to the ground. The smaller plane reads "park in rear" in red, plastic, all capital, letters. Raceway arrows protrude through the bottom of the sign, pointing through the entrance it creates for traffic. The arrows are arranged on the bottom edge as if they are extensions of the imaginary points created by the meeting of the downward strokes two sides of two arches. Across the very top of the main banner, a narrow, red, steel cabinet reads the word "Fantasia" in white script. The script is surfaced with neon. Near the street, on the northern portion of the property, a pole sign holds an internally lit cabinet. The frame of the cabinet is a blue raceway whose western edge is fashioned into an arrow shape. White plastic comprises the face of the sign, which faces north south, and does not reach into the arrow section. It is a skeleton of a frame, with nothing in the middle. Translucent vinyl lettering is present on the face of the sign and reads "Liquor, Moccasins, Indian Jewelry 1/2 off," in all capital letters.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: Chasing
Notes: The only animation present is the animation of the incandescent bulbs on all the raceways surrounding the signs. The bulbs chase each other from left to right.
Sign environment: The fueling station resides on the northern edge of the strip before Sahara Avenue. Directly to the east, across the street is the Sahara Hotel Casino, but is flanked by smaller non-resort related properties. Along with the other two properties to the north and to the south, they seem as functional aspects for tourists and patrons of the larger properties of the Circus Circus and the Sahara. Almost dwarfed by the two nearby giants the properties can easily go unnoticed without the treatment of the illumination.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - thematic influences: There is no real theme associated with the property other than being a typical Las Vegas strip shopping establishment. The unique array of raceways and chasing incandescent bulbs are reminiscent of the countless canvass of the same design technique seen all of the strip, yet retain a hint of originality with it's arched pattern. Another widely used element , present in the design, is the internally lit message center. These two simple elements are used in conjunction to create a unique display typical to the Las Vegas Strip. It fits into the context of the Las Vegas strip as one of the many gift shops, but stands out as one of the larger ones, with the most vibrant signage.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Pylon; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint
Site address: 2800 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: Fantasia on the Strip is located north of the Circus Circus, among the smaller properties located the northern end of the Strip before Sahara Avenue. The building faces east, only separated from the street by a small parking lot, which runs along the front of the property. The two-story building is adorned with a building length message cabinet, and sculpted, patterned raceways. The sign extends north across a drive designating parking in the rear. A small pole sign also sits on the east edge of the property.
Sign condition: Structure 3 Surface 4 Lighting 4 The Fantasia establishments signage looks decently weathered up close, for the colors and paint treatments are in good condition. The structure of the sign has a couple of anomalies that are apparent. The pole sign on the street side of the property has no face on the triangular portion of the surface. The far right hand side of the building fascia makes an uncomfortable transition into the support structure from the ground.
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: The design is a building front, message cabinet running the length of the facade of the building, facing east. The white, steel, paneled front cabinet contains Blue and red plastic text. The larger fonts run the entire length of the sign and read "Souvenirs, T-shirts, Gifts, Indian Jewelry, Moccasins, Liquor," in an "old west" style text seen on properties such as the Frontier. This arrangement's color is blue. The bottom line of text is smaller and is broken up into three separate phrases and distributed evenly across the surface. The left side reads, " Jewelry, Belts, Hats, Cactus" in red cursive. The center is blue western font, reading "Las Vegas Souvenirs." The right hand side is red cursive again reading "Sundries, Food, Beer Wine, Ice." The bottom and top edges are lined with yellow raceways with incandescent bulbs. The top edge is created by a repeating series of raceway arches, matching the finish of the other edges. The top edge of repeating arches continues north past the edge of the cabinet onto a smaller, much thinner cabinet. The thinner cabinet looks as is if it is a continuation of the main sign with pieces cut out of it. The arches continue to the end of the extension and down connecting to a steel I-beam linked to the ground. The smaller plane reads "park in rear" in red, plastic, all capital, letters. Raceway arrows protrude through the bottom of the sign, pointing through the entrance it creates for traffic. The arrows are arranged on the bottom edge as if they are extensions of the imaginary points created by the meeting of the downward strokes two sides of two arches. Across the very top of the main banner, a narrow, red, steel cabinet reads the word "Fantasia" in white script. The script is surfaced with neon. Near the street, on the northern portion of the property, a pole sign holds an internally lit cabinet. The frame of the cabinet is a blue raceway whose western edge is fashioned into an arrow shape. White plastic comprises the face of the sign, which faces north south, and does not reach into the arrow section. It is a skeleton of a frame, with nothing in the middle. Translucent vinyl lettering is present on the face of the sign and reads "Liquor, Moccasins, Indian Jewelry 1/2 off," in all capital letters.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: Chasing
Notes: The only animation present is the animation of the incandescent bulbs on all the raceways surrounding the signs. The bulbs chase each other from left to right.
Sign environment: The fueling station resides on the northern edge of the strip before Sahara Avenue. Directly to the east, across the street is the Sahara Hotel Casino, but is flanked by smaller non-resort related properties. Along with the other two properties to the north and to the south, they seem as functional aspects for tourists and patrons of the larger properties of the Circus Circus and the Sahara. Almost dwarfed by the two nearby giants the properties can easily go unnoticed without the treatment of the illumination.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - thematic influences: There is no real theme associated with the property other than being a typical Las Vegas strip shopping establishment. The unique array of raceways and chasing incandescent bulbs are reminiscent of the countless canvass of the same design technique seen all of the strip, yet retain a hint of originality with it's arched pattern. Another widely used element , present in the design, is the internally lit message center. These two simple elements are used in conjunction to create a unique display typical to the Las Vegas Strip. It fits into the context of the Las Vegas strip as one of the many gift shops, but stands out as one of the larger ones, with the most vibrant signage.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Pylon; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint
Mixed Content
Photographs of Aladdin Casino Hotel and Resort signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Archival Collection
Description
Daytime and nighttime views of the Aladdin Hotel Casino and Resort signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site name: Aladdin Hotel (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 3667 Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Aladdin Gaming LLC
Sign details: Just north of Harmon across the street from the Harley Davidson café, the stretch of the Aladdin property begins. The facade of the building is a pedestrian designed attraction, for it replaces the sidewalk. One must pass along the elaborate array of landscaping, to be confronted by the massive replication of the ancient Persian city, fully realizing it's Arabian Nights theme. Various signage does adorn the Aladdin property, Including a small one sided message board, resembling a miniature pylon, two jumbo LCD screens adorned with text, and entrance signs cover a couple of entrances.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5--All signage is in good repair.
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: The first sign you come upon is a small single sided pylon , which houses a message cabinet, and a channel letter logo for the Aladdin. Two poles rise out of a flowerbed, supporting a purple-faced message cabinet reading about valet and parking service. Incandescent bulbs surround the box along the border. Above that section, Aladdin is spelled in red channel letters, filled with red neon. They are hung upon the remainder of space on the upper portion of the cabinet, which only rises an additional 10 inches or so above the internally lit cabinet. The top of the cabinet is adorned with a three-tiered sculpted steel section mimicking the classic shape of the Persian spire seen so often in the property. Each section is finished in a different color: gold, pink and purple. Two neon tubes run the circumference of the tops of the poles, just underneath the negative Persian spire shape, which supports the internally lit cabinet. Neon tubes also border the tops and bottoms of each section of the sign as well as following the contour of the sculpted edges. This sign faces southwest and is found on the south end of the property and is the first sign you see walking on the property headed north. The first casino entrance is seen north of the previous sign and is above an entrance. The negative space of a Persian arch, preceding the entrance is occupied by a sign which designating an entrance. It is essentially one giant pan channel, with a smaller positive shaped cabinet in the center. Aladdin is spelled in gold polished channel letters with blue plastic faces. Another sign, of this sort, is also further down the face of the building. Translucent red ruby shapes run horizontally across the bottom. As the building steps up in various places, a larger, higher elevation, approximately in the center of the complex, plays host to two LCD screens facing northwest and southwest on the surface of the wall. Above each screen, Aladdin is spelled with larger red translucent letters, backed with white neon. When the light is visible, it creates a halo of white light around the text.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Matrix
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign animation: Chasing
Notes: The only Animation which I see present are in the pan channels occupying the negative Persian arch shape over two of the entrances on the west face of the building. The red plastic jewel shapes chase from either side to meet in the middle.
Sign environment: The Aladdin property lies between Harmon avenue and the Paris Hotel, on the east side of the strip. Headed North from Harmon, on the east side of the street, the pedestrian is enveloped by the properties façade, for it replaces a standard sidewalk. Once inside the path along the façade, it curves to and fro, mostly toward the casino entrances. Tall shrubbery and bushes separate the pedestrian from Las Vegas Blvd, creating a world all to it's own.
Sign architect of record: Nadel Architects, Contractor: Adp/Fd, Fluor Daniel
Sign - date of installation: 2000
Sign - thematic influences: The theme surrounding the Aladdin is centered around the Arabian Nights theme of an ancient Persian city or palace. Restaurants and storefronts are cased in with faux stone facades topped with bulbous towers and Persian spires. The significance lies in the lineage of the Aladdin transformed through the years since its change of management in 1966. It stands today holding the same theme but designed to fit in with the themed mega resorts currently present on the strip. The exterior is completely engulfed in themed architecture but draws references not only to its past self but other desert fantasy themed resorts such as the Desert Inn and the Sahara.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Steel; Plastic; Neon; Incandescent; Matrix; Pylon; Fascia; LCD; Internally illuminated
Site name: Aladdin Hotel (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 3667 Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Aladdin Gaming LLC
Sign details: Just north of Harmon across the street from the Harley Davidson café, the stretch of the Aladdin property begins. The facade of the building is a pedestrian designed attraction, for it replaces the sidewalk. One must pass along the elaborate array of landscaping, to be confronted by the massive replication of the ancient Persian city, fully realizing it's Arabian Nights theme. Various signage does adorn the Aladdin property, Including a small one sided message board, resembling a miniature pylon, two jumbo LCD screens adorned with text, and entrance signs cover a couple of entrances.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5--All signage is in good repair.
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: The first sign you come upon is a small single sided pylon , which houses a message cabinet, and a channel letter logo for the Aladdin. Two poles rise out of a flowerbed, supporting a purple-faced message cabinet reading about valet and parking service. Incandescent bulbs surround the box along the border. Above that section, Aladdin is spelled in red channel letters, filled with red neon. They are hung upon the remainder of space on the upper portion of the cabinet, which only rises an additional 10 inches or so above the internally lit cabinet. The top of the cabinet is adorned with a three-tiered sculpted steel section mimicking the classic shape of the Persian spire seen so often in the property. Each section is finished in a different color: gold, pink and purple. Two neon tubes run the circumference of the tops of the poles, just underneath the negative Persian spire shape, which supports the internally lit cabinet. Neon tubes also border the tops and bottoms of each section of the sign as well as following the contour of the sculpted edges. This sign faces southwest and is found on the south end of the property and is the first sign you see walking on the property headed north. The first casino entrance is seen north of the previous sign and is above an entrance. The negative space of a Persian arch, preceding the entrance is occupied by a sign which designating an entrance. It is essentially one giant pan channel, with a smaller positive shaped cabinet in the center. Aladdin is spelled in gold polished channel letters with blue plastic faces. Another sign, of this sort, is also further down the face of the building. Translucent red ruby shapes run horizontally across the bottom. As the building steps up in various places, a larger, higher elevation, approximately in the center of the complex, plays host to two LCD screens facing northwest and southwest on the surface of the wall. Above each screen, Aladdin is spelled with larger red translucent letters, backed with white neon. When the light is visible, it creates a halo of white light around the text.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Matrix
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign animation: Chasing
Notes: The only Animation which I see present are in the pan channels occupying the negative Persian arch shape over two of the entrances on the west face of the building. The red plastic jewel shapes chase from either side to meet in the middle.
Sign environment: The Aladdin property lies between Harmon avenue and the Paris Hotel, on the east side of the strip. Headed North from Harmon, on the east side of the street, the pedestrian is enveloped by the properties façade, for it replaces a standard sidewalk. Once inside the path along the façade, it curves to and fro, mostly toward the casino entrances. Tall shrubbery and bushes separate the pedestrian from Las Vegas Blvd, creating a world all to it's own.
Sign architect of record: Nadel Architects, Contractor: Adp/Fd, Fluor Daniel
Sign - date of installation: 2000
Sign - thematic influences: The theme surrounding the Aladdin is centered around the Arabian Nights theme of an ancient Persian city or palace. Restaurants and storefronts are cased in with faux stone facades topped with bulbous towers and Persian spires. The significance lies in the lineage of the Aladdin transformed through the years since its change of management in 1966. It stands today holding the same theme but designed to fit in with the themed mega resorts currently present on the strip. The exterior is completely engulfed in themed architecture but draws references not only to its past self but other desert fantasy themed resorts such as the Desert Inn and the Sahara.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Steel; Plastic; Neon; Incandescent; Matrix; Pylon; Fascia; LCD; Internally illuminated
Mixed Content
Photographs of Alan Albert's signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Archival Collection
Description
Daytime and nighttime views of the Alan Albert's restaurant signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 3763 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: Following the alleyway created between the Walgreen's and Fatburger establishments, you can find the entrance to the secluded Alan Albert's. The restaurant is located on the Fatburger (north) side of the drive, found headed east down the south side of the building. The building quickly stretches out to the south and then continues east again. Signage is located on this extension of wall. The signage includes a logo wall sign, a neon back-lit glass block wall, as well as three small steel boxes adorned with crafted neon. Signage is also located on the Walgreen's dominated pylon out front.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 4 Lighting 5 Note:The structure of the sign is intact, and appears to be complete in all its parts. The surface of the sign is worn by the weather, but no worse than any other property.
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: The small face created by the south extension creates the space for the entrance to Alan Albert's. The sign hangs off this wall above a pair of large wooden doors, created with brown painted channel letters in a text specific to the establishment. They are painted white on the exterior. The channel letters are steel, outlined with white neon and filled with incandescent bulbs. White neon tubes underline each word. Almost the entire wall is created of translucent glass blocks. Behind the glass blocks there are tubes of red neon running vertically and horizontally along the open sections of the blocks create a glowing background grid of red light. The entire sign is supported with steel brackets, which are hung from the top of the roof hooking onto the wall of the building. The letters are hung at an angle pointing from the bottom toward the top right hand corner of the building. Below the main text on the right hand portion of the sign are three horizontal steel boxes hung consecutively, supporting text sculpted out of neon. The top box reads "Steaks," the second reads "Seafood," and the third reads "Prime-rib." On the Multi-use pylon the Alan Albert's signage only plays second fiddle to the dominant Walgreen's sign. It is four lines of text with the two lines of "Alan Albert's" filling the top spots. Below that "steaks, seafood, prime rib," sits above the text "so delicious intimate." The top two lines are spelled in brown channel letters, filled with incandescent bulbs, and bordered on the face with red neon. A narrow polished channel underlines each line of text and is lined with a single tube of white neon. The bottom two lines of text are smaller script channel letters lined with red neon. Below this collection of letters and bulbs, a backlit selection of signs also adds to the list. "Lobster House" is spelled in closed channel letters with red faces. A narrow internally lit green cabinet, with rounded ends, is treated with white script.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic; Glass
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Oscillating
Notes: The incandescent bulbs inside the interior of the main text, oscillate rapidly. The effect is the shimmering effect seen so often throughout neighboring properties. It can be seen in the main building texts of properties such as the Monte Carlo and the Mirage. The Alan Albert's text on the Walgreen's pylon near the street is animated as well. The incandescent bulbs animate with an oscillating pattern steady burn on, then flash off, then on, off then starts to oscillate once again.
Sign environment: Alan Albert's sits tucked away from the bustle of the main street, guarded on both sided by Walgreen's and the Fatburger establishments. Besides the adjacent archway advertising for the Ginseng BBQ establishment, the signage for the Alan Albert's is the main attraction in the immediate space.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - artistic significance: The significance of the Alan Albert's establishment fits in with other facilities on the Strip such as The Rosewood Grill, and Battista's Hole in the Wall, and the Peppermill. Considering that most dining establishments are located on the interior of the properties, these stand as excellent quality, intimate restaurants seen by and available to the pedestrian public. Like the everyday establishments dressed to fit in the Las Vegas Strip such as the neighboring Walgreen's, Alan Albert's is a non-casino dressed up to fit in with the local surroundings. The incandescent bulbs also contain the most common animation seen on the strip. The surface of the wall is turned into a blurry illuminated canvas with glass block wall, backed by a grid of red neon. The surface is a one of a kind for the properties in this survey and the genre that it represents.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Oscillating; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Paint; Graphics; Steel; Plastic; Glass; Fascia
Site address: 3763 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: Following the alleyway created between the Walgreen's and Fatburger establishments, you can find the entrance to the secluded Alan Albert's. The restaurant is located on the Fatburger (north) side of the drive, found headed east down the south side of the building. The building quickly stretches out to the south and then continues east again. Signage is located on this extension of wall. The signage includes a logo wall sign, a neon back-lit glass block wall, as well as three small steel boxes adorned with crafted neon. Signage is also located on the Walgreen's dominated pylon out front.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 4 Lighting 5 Note:The structure of the sign is intact, and appears to be complete in all its parts. The surface of the sign is worn by the weather, but no worse than any other property.
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: The small face created by the south extension creates the space for the entrance to Alan Albert's. The sign hangs off this wall above a pair of large wooden doors, created with brown painted channel letters in a text specific to the establishment. They are painted white on the exterior. The channel letters are steel, outlined with white neon and filled with incandescent bulbs. White neon tubes underline each word. Almost the entire wall is created of translucent glass blocks. Behind the glass blocks there are tubes of red neon running vertically and horizontally along the open sections of the blocks create a glowing background grid of red light. The entire sign is supported with steel brackets, which are hung from the top of the roof hooking onto the wall of the building. The letters are hung at an angle pointing from the bottom toward the top right hand corner of the building. Below the main text on the right hand portion of the sign are three horizontal steel boxes hung consecutively, supporting text sculpted out of neon. The top box reads "Steaks," the second reads "Seafood," and the third reads "Prime-rib." On the Multi-use pylon the Alan Albert's signage only plays second fiddle to the dominant Walgreen's sign. It is four lines of text with the two lines of "Alan Albert's" filling the top spots. Below that "steaks, seafood, prime rib," sits above the text "so delicious intimate." The top two lines are spelled in brown channel letters, filled with incandescent bulbs, and bordered on the face with red neon. A narrow polished channel underlines each line of text and is lined with a single tube of white neon. The bottom two lines of text are smaller script channel letters lined with red neon. Below this collection of letters and bulbs, a backlit selection of signs also adds to the list. "Lobster House" is spelled in closed channel letters with red faces. A narrow internally lit green cabinet, with rounded ends, is treated with white script.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic; Glass
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Oscillating
Notes: The incandescent bulbs inside the interior of the main text, oscillate rapidly. The effect is the shimmering effect seen so often throughout neighboring properties. It can be seen in the main building texts of properties such as the Monte Carlo and the Mirage. The Alan Albert's text on the Walgreen's pylon near the street is animated as well. The incandescent bulbs animate with an oscillating pattern steady burn on, then flash off, then on, off then starts to oscillate once again.
Sign environment: Alan Albert's sits tucked away from the bustle of the main street, guarded on both sided by Walgreen's and the Fatburger establishments. Besides the adjacent archway advertising for the Ginseng BBQ establishment, the signage for the Alan Albert's is the main attraction in the immediate space.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - artistic significance: The significance of the Alan Albert's establishment fits in with other facilities on the Strip such as The Rosewood Grill, and Battista's Hole in the Wall, and the Peppermill. Considering that most dining establishments are located on the interior of the properties, these stand as excellent quality, intimate restaurants seen by and available to the pedestrian public. Like the everyday establishments dressed to fit in the Las Vegas Strip such as the neighboring Walgreen's, Alan Albert's is a non-casino dressed up to fit in with the local surroundings. The incandescent bulbs also contain the most common animation seen on the strip. The surface of the wall is turned into a blurry illuminated canvas with glass block wall, backed by a grid of red neon. The surface is a one of a kind for the properties in this survey and the genre that it represents.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Oscillating; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Paint; Graphics; Steel; Plastic; Glass; Fascia
Mixed Content