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Painting of Vegas Vic by Pat Denner, 1951

Date

1951

Description

Color watercolor or gouache painting of Vegas Vic for the Pioneer Club in Las Vegas, showing how the metal should be painted. The picture is signed 'Denner' by YESCO designer Pat Denner.
Site Name: Pioneer Club
Address: 25 East Fremont Street

Image

Mon Bel Ami Neon Survey document, August 19, 2017

Date

2017-08-19

Description

Information about the Mon Bel Ami sign that sits at 607 S Las Vegas Blvd.
Site address: 607 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Mon Bel Ami- Maudie Dog Trust
Sign details: Mon Bel Ami Wedding Chapel originally was the Silver Bell Wedding Chapel owned by nineteen year old Jim Duszynski. He moved from Toledo, Ohio and purchased the small wedding chapel for five dollars in 1958. Silver Bell wedding Chapel eventually moved across the street adding a steeple to an old masonic lodge hosting dozens of weddings. In 2002 the building caught on fire where the property was later purchased by new ownership. In 2003 the new ownership re-named Silver Bell Wedding Chapel to Mon Bel Ami Wedding chapel. The new chapel replaced the Silver Bell panel and painted over the SB. Currently the sign has been removed and donated to the Neon Museum and replaced with new signage.
Sign condition: The condition of the sign is a 5. From what I can tell the sign has been kept maintained. No paint has chipped, and the LED is still working perfectly.
Sign form: The sign is a pole sign and not attached to the building.
Sign-specific description: The sign is a pole based free standing sign. The heavy curved triangle is in the color burnt sienna made of steel. The pole itself is a faux marble with swirls circulating the pole etched into the pole. The sign is tastefully ornate, yet simple in design. The pole transitions into a Chapean Tuscan architectural feature. The typography is slightly thick and light up white at night. The actual light features surround the typography and takes the shape of the curved triangle. The light is LED based.
Sign - type of display: LED
Sign - media: Steel and concrete
Sign environment: It is next door to Graceland Wedding Chapel and near Nevada Legal Services, US Labor Department Wage and Hour Divisions, Dougie J's Cafe, Thunderbird Lounge, and Rogue Toys.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: Mid 2000's
Sign - date of redesign/move: After 2003 the ownership from Silver Bells changed and renamed the chapel to Mon Bel Ami. The Silver Bells Wedding sign was donated to the Neon Museum.
Sign - thematic influences: The design resembles faux Tuscan elements, simple yet semi- ornamental.
Sign - artistic significance: The sign resembles the early 2000's trend with faux semi ornate but sleek contemporary design within architecture. The sign is quite reminiscent of Wynn Hotel, Palazzo, and Encore.
Survey - research locations: Mon Bel Ami wedding chapel website https://www.monbelami.com/historic-wedding-chapel-sign-neon-museum-vegas/ , Asessor's Page
Surveyor: Gisselle Tipp
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-19
Sign keywords: Steel; Concrete; Pole sign; Neon

Text

Hard Rock Cafe Neon Guitar Sign Sketch

Identifier

MS-00840

Abstract

Collection is comprised of a framed sketch of the neon guitar sign that was fabricated by YESCO for the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas, Nevada circa 1990. It was hand-colored by the designer Shirley Ono, framed, and presented as a gift to Warwick Stone, Creative Director of the Hard Rock Cafe chain from 1982-1996, who commissioned the design.

Archival Collection

Photographs of Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002

Date

2002

Description

Daytime views of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site name: Welcome to Las Vegas neon sign
Site address: 5200 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: YESCO
Sign details: The sign sits as a welcome to travelers entering the Las Vegas experience via Las Vegas Blvd The sign itself resides in the middle of traffic median directly in the middle of the road.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The sign itself is a classic roadside pole design which faces North/South. It is double backed, internally lit with a border of yellow incandescent bulbs along the flat edge of its width. Across the top of the sign seven white neon circles house separate red neon letters which form the word welcome. Crowning the sign at the very peak, above the word welcome, is a seven pointed neon star comprised of orange and yellow neon. The cabinet itself is faced with translucent white plastic and treated with blue and red painted text. The South side of the sign reads with the Neon welcome word then in blue painted text "To Fabulous" in a 50's style text reminiscent of that used in the Last Frontier property, and cursive. The Words "Las Vegas" are spelled in all caps, in red block text. And below that in smaller blue text the word "Nevada" are spelled in all caps block text.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: chasing, flashing
Sign environment: The famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign sits alone at the South end of the strip and is often the very first sign a traveler encounters when entering the strip. It casts a surprisingly powerful glow over the barren median which it stands. It stands as a gateway to the extravaganza that is Las Vegas. When leaving the main drag headed south the sign has an equal effect of being a lone gateway in and out of the Strip.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign designer: Betty Willis
Sign - date of installation: 1959
Sign - thematic influences: Although it has no specific theme, it is from a specific period in Las Vegas History. It is the quintessential roadside pylon design. With an exposed steel center pole double backed marquee it is reminiscent of the common design of the roadside motor inn.
Sign - artistic significance: This sign has become perhaps the most copied icon of Las Vegas, as it was never copyrighted. It is a ubiquitous symbol of the city.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint; Graphics

Mixed Content

Handwritten notes for the Horseshoe Club neon sign (Las Vegas), circa 1960s

Date

1960 to 1969

Description

Handwritten notes with details for the neon facade of the Horseshoe Club.
Site Name: Horseshoe Club
Address: 128 East Fremont Street

Image

Blue Angel Motel Neon Survey document, August 12, 2017

Date

2017-08-12

Description

Information about the Blue Angel Motel that sits at 2110 Fremont St.
Site address: 2110 Fremont St
Sign owner: Bartsas Mary 22 LLC
Sign details: Motel was originally constructed c. 1956. Sits on a 2.54 acre site. Property was later changed to Club 2110, but now is vacant.
Sign condition: Unknown - Angel is being repaired by City Centennial Commision and YESCO, and will believed to be placed on medium of Fremont and Charleston once restored. 4 - Arches were repainted at unknown time from original blue to a deep forest green, "Blue Angel" was removed and "Night Club" was put up in blue angels place. "Motel" wording on flag portions of the sign was painted over and replaced with "Club 2110". doesn't have any form of lighting, appears to be in decent condition.
Sign form: Angel - Sculpted Pole Sign/ Monument Sign, Arches: Pole sign with protruding arches on either side. Originally the left side arch would have rested on the Blue Angel motel building, but when it was torn down so was the connection, so it is free hanging off the pole support system.
Sign-specific description: Angel: Pole sign with sculpture of Angel on top. Was internally illuminated, her skin, hair, halow, pole, wand, used to illuminate. Two flag signs hung off of angel pedestal, one read "Motel" other would read "Blue Angel" on opposite sides of the pole. Would of glowed with blue neon. Arches: Repainted by new owner: Arcs protruding on either side of the pole with the words "Night" and "Club" on each other arches. There are flag like components going down the pole support with stars on the opposite side of each component. Slight directional tool of the flags that point downwards to the ground. The stars do not have any lighting system of their own (no neon or bulbs). Each flag component is double sided with painted on graphics.
Sign - type of display: Neon, and internally illuminated plastic
Sign - media: Steel, fiberglass
Sign animation: Possible rotation of the angel?
Sign environment: The property is surrounded by other motels, shopping centers and gas stations
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign designer: Betty Willis
Sign architect of record: C. 1956
Sign - date of installation: C. 1956
Sign - date of redesign/move: Angel - 2014 repaint, 2017 refurbishment, c. 2014 repaint of arches
Sign - thematic influences: Believed that angel was modeled after Marilyn Monroe
Sign - artistic significance: 1950s pop culture themes - Marilyn Monroe and Disney-esque angel
Survey - research locations: Motel site, www.roadarch.com, UNLV photo collections, assessor's website
Surveyor: Danny Jacobs
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-12
Sign keywords: Sculptural; Neon; Steel; Fiberglass; Pole sign; Internally illuminated; Incandescent

Text

Photographs of Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 1, 2017

Date

2017-03-01
2017-09-09

Description

The world famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada" sign sits at 5200 South Las Vegas Boulevard. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site name: Welcome to Las Vegas neon sign
Site address: 5200 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: YESCO
Sign details: The sign was originally installed 1959, quickly became an iconic sign for Las Vegas. Betty Willis never trademarked the sign. Betty Willis died at 91 in 2015. Betty Willis also designed the Moulin Rouge and Blue Angel Motel signs. The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a 25 foot sign which is considered smaller than a lot of the other signs in Las Vegas.
Sign condition: 5, Taken care of by YESCO and Clark County
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The base of this sign is a blue rectangle outline. The main portion of the sign is a white rhombus shape. Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas written in red and blue on a translucent white background. The word "Welcome" is spelled in red skeletal neon on Silver Coins with each letter on its own coin. On the back of the sign it states Drive Safely Come back Soon. This plastic portion of the sign is surrounded by incandescent light bulbs. On the top left portion of the sign where the blue base of the sign comes out of the top of the sign is the famous red star that is outlined in neon.
Sign - type of display: Incandescent, Neon and back lit plastic.
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic back lit portion
Sign animation: Chaser for Incandescent light bulbs on the border of the sign.
Sign environment: This sign is in the median of Las Vegas Blvd. near the South most end of the Strip. This location has Mandalay Bay to the west of it and the airport to the east.
Sign manufacturer: Western Neon
Sign designer: Betty Willis
Sign - date of installation: 1959
Sign - date of redesign/move: Mid 2000s redesign of the median to accommodate parking for visitors.
Sign - thematic influences: This sign is designed in the Googie style. This sign also has symbolism with the words Welcome, as each letter is on a silver coin to represent Nevada as the Silver State.
Sign - artistic significance: One of the most Significant signs for Las Vegas. It is easily recognizable and ingrained as part of Las Vegas culture.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas Sun article https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/21/fabulous-las-vegas-sign-garners-historic-designati/ , Vegas website https://www.vegas.com/attractions/on-the-strip/welcome-las-vegas-sign/ http://www.lasvegaswhereto.com/welcome-las-vegas-sign/ Neon Museum Tour outline , Vintage Vegas http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/welcome+to+fabulous+las+vegas
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-09
Sign keywords: Chasing; Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Incandescent; Neon; Pylon

Mixed Content

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

Mixed Content

Photographs of Glass Pool Inn signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002

Date

2002

Description

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

Mixed Content

Photographs of Madame Tussaud's signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002

Date

2002

Description

Daytime and nighttime views of Madame Tussaud's museum signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site name: Venetian (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 3377 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum is located inside the Venetian Hotel and Casino. Located at the southern end of the property, it is tucked away at the end of a long stretch of escalators. Even though it is not in complete plain view, the facility is directly in the line of pedestrian traffic. The escalators serve as one of the main causeways into the Venetian for the traveler headed north on the east side of the strip. The facility is also advertised by an architecturally integrated building sign, and an LED screen that are in plain view from the street. A the end of the bay of escalators, a platform folds out, containing the vibrant entrance to the Wax Museum. Flanking the large opening designated as the entrance, are six free standing sculpted cabinet, advertising for Madame Tussaud's, lining up three on either side of the door. Standing underneath the entry, are a cast of ever rotating wax figures of celebrities. Just beyond the wax sentry, six more sculpted cabinets are present on other side of the pedestrian leading up to a ticket counter. On the ceiling above the pedestrian is an array of sculpted elements that are adorned with incandescent bulbs and neon, all leading up to the afore mentioned counter.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Fascia
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing
Sign environment: Madame Tussaud's holds the unique position of being elevated above the street, within the Venetian. Located at the top of a bank of escalators, the museum is positioned so that it is the dominating force upon the pedestrian with its immediate area. With careful examination it is evident that the it resides in the Venetian, but has tight hold on it's claim of space. Even though the location is somewhat hidden, it is a present force, and alongside a series of moving walk paths, generating a high frequency of vibration.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: 2000
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of Madame Tussaud's revolves around the theme of what the establishment provides. The main attraction is of course the lifelike imagery of celebrities sculpted in wax. The establishment draws from the theme of celebrities and stardom in design. The advertisement cabinets, which line the entry to Madame Tussaud's, are shaped to reference this. One set is crafted in the shape of a stylized star, while the others appear as street side movie posters seen in theatres or propaganda. The feel of them, to sum up initially, is classic "Hollywood" movie opening extravaganza. The star shapes and jutting channels on the ceiling of the entrance are other references to stars as well as the feel of electricity. These too can be associated with "movie star" like elements such as the Hollywood walk of fame, with it's star shaped crests, references to celebrities as "stars," as well as the a fore mentioned flavor of a movie opening or extravaganza.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Graphics; Paint

Mixed Content