From the Las Vegas: Snapshots of History Photograph Collection (PH-00425)

From the Las Vegas: Snapshots of History Photograph Collection (PH-00425)

The sign for The Griffin sits at 511 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 511 Fremont St
Sign owner: Aaron Chepenik and Jonathan Hensleigh
Sign details: Opened in February of 2007 as a medieval British pub/ tavern style bar. This location brought on a wave of revitalization of the East Fremont District especially since many new bars/restaurants started to open in this area after this bar did.
Sign condition: 5- still looks relatively new
Sign form: Blade and overlay neon on building
Sign-specific description: Placed above the entrance their brick building the letters The Griffin Cocktails is painted with white block letters outlined with black paint is painted on the building itself. These letters have skeletal neon surrounding the letters. The Griffin letters are yellow tubes and do illuminate green at night, the word cocktails lights up white. To the left of the entrance but still on the building is a green painted griffin drinking a painted white martini ( also all outlined with black paint) The neon tubing outlining the griffin is a yellow tubing but glows green at night ( possibly argon inserted to make it glow green). The Blade is placed a little left of the entrance and hangs off of the building by two blue steel beams, but in between the beams is a beautiful swirl design. At the top of the Blade there is a green griffin sipping a martini (same design as the one painted on the building). At the base of the griffin is white THE letters painted with skeletal neon. Then below is the blue portion of the blade spelling out GRIFFIN in a Britannic looking font in white channeled letters which do illuminate white at night. This part of the blade is outlined in neon ,possibly argon, since it does illuminate blue at night. On the side of the blade ( if you're looking from the road) there are about 14 red curved neon tubes lining the sign.
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Steel and Brick Wall
Sign - non-neon treatments: Using the brick wall as a portion of the sign is a design not seen often in Vegas.
Sign animation: Oscillation of red neon tubes on the side of the sign.
Sign environment: Located in the Fremont East District in between Las Vegas Blvd. and 6th St. This location has The Vault to the East of it and The Smashed Pig Gastropub to the west. It is across the street from the Park and Evil Pie. In the middle of the street right in front of the Griffin Bar is the Martini Glass sign.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign designer: Owners Aaron Chepenik and Jonathan Hensleigh-Aaron stated that the blade portion of the sign was inspired by the old Boulder Club Blade sign
Sign - date of installation: Slightly before they opened so late 2006/early 2007
Sign - thematic influences: Griffin shows that it has a medieval and kind of fantasy kind of feel since its interior does have that cool medieval tavern vibe to it, especially with their fireplaces. Using their brick wall as a part of the sign is a cool innovative way to use their space and stay true to their theme.
Sign - artistic significance: Medieval theme. The blade is a prominent theme in the 50s/60s, though their blade sign was inspired by the Boulder Club (opened 1931-1960) blade.
Survey - research locations: Acessors page, outreach to owner Aaron Chepenik
Survey - research notes: Possible use of argon within their yellow painted tubes, similar to the Yucca Motel signs leaves.
Survey - other remarks: The Blade does look very similar to the Boulder Club blade, so its awesome to see modern properties paying homage to the ones that are no longer around.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-15
Sign keywords: Oscillating; Steel; Neon; Blade; Fascia; Building-front design

Treva Roles is one of six children born to Louis and Katherine Smith, and spent her childhood in Erie, Pennsylvania and Chicago, Illinois. During the Great Depression, Treva’s father used his entrepreneurial skills and creativity to turn his traveling salesman profession into a lucrative family business selling personal inventions. Eventually, he decided to sell the business, and buy a motel out west and “retire.” The motel ended up being the Fair Price Motel in Las Vegas, and Treva soon moved out to help the family run it. Her parents lived on Fremont Street. Shortly after moving to Las Vegas, Treva met Ralph Roles, a local fireman, whose family lived on West Charleston Blvd. The two were married just three months later. While on their honeymoon, Treva’s parents purchased the Del Mar Motel, and soon thereafter, Treva and Ralph purchased the Rummel Motel. Treva and Ralph owned and operated the Rummel Motel for 20 years, selling to Taiwanese investors in 1979. Treva and Ralph raised their three sons, all of whom are now chiropractors. In 2000, the couple fulfilled a dream of living on a golf course when they moved to Sun City Anthem. Two years later, Ralph lost his battle with Alzheimer’s. Treva’s current community activities include playing mahjong and involvement with the Women’s Club at Sun City Anthem.