Search Results
James B. McDaniel Architectural Records
Identifier
MS-00203
Abstract
The James B. McDaniel Records (1960-1978) comprise the plans and drawings created by Las Vegas, Nevada architect James McDaniel who worked independently as James Brooks McDaniel Architect (from 1960-1978) and with a partner as Moffitt and McDaniel Architects, Limited (during the 1970s). This collection includes materials from over 115 projects managed by McDaniel. Records include oversized architectural drawings, and files of architectural projects. McDaniel designed many University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) buildings, residential, commercial, and landscape designs for Las Vegas clients. Also included are business files of construction estimates, specifications, invoices, change orders, and correspondence.
Archival Collection
The Dunes Hotel tower under construction: photographic film
Date
1960 (year approximate) to 1986 (year approximate)
Archival Collection
Description
A view of the Dunes Hotel tower under construction. The famous sultan statue is visible in the foreground. The marquee is visible in the background advertising "Now in the Persian Room Vive Les Girls French Stage Spectacular 8:30 pm, 11:30 pm, 1:15 am" and "Persian Room All new direct from Paris Vive Les Girls! Produced by Danny Costello Star of the Ed Sullivan Show". The Dunes, which was themed after the Arabian Nights stories, opened on May 23, 1955 with 200 hotel rooms, located in several two-story buildings. From the time of its opening, the Dunes was known for the 35 foot tall fiberglass sultan statue that stood above its main entrance. In 1961, a 24-story, 250-room hotel tower, known as Diamond of the Dunes, was added to the northern part of the property, bringing the total number of rooms to 450. At the top of the tower was the Top O' the Strip restaurant and lounge. The tower was the tallest building in the state at the time. In 1979, the South Tower was added, expanding the hotel to 1300 rooms. A second casino in a separate, round building on the site opened in 1983 under the name Oasis Casino at The Dunes. In 1985, the sultan statue was moved to the golf course during renovations, and later caught fire, reportedly due to an electrical short. On November 17, 1992, the Dunes was sold to Wynn's company, Mirage Resorts, Inc., for $75 million. On January 26, 1993, the Dunes closed its doors for good. Steve Wynn bought the Dunes and started the redevelopment trend with the demolition of the 32-year-old North Tower. On October 27, 1993, the Dunes was demolished in a grand ceremony that involved major fireworks displays and the use of several "cannon blasts" from the English ship 'HMS Britannia' of Treasure Island Hotel and Casino. The 15-year-old South Tower was demolished 9 months later in July 1994, with no fanfare and minimal media attention. The Bellagio now stands in its place. The property is located at 3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109.
Image
Arizona Charlie's Hotel and Casino Neon Survey document, August 18, 2017
Date
2017-08-18
Archival Collection
Description
Information about the Arizona Charlie's Hotel and Casino sign that sits at 4575 Boulder Hwy.
Site address: 4575 Boulder Hwy
Sign owner: American Casino and Entertainment Properties LLC
Sign details: Currently Arizona Charlie's Boulder is owned by the Parent company American Casino and Entertainment Properties LLC. The original Arizona Charlie's on Decatur was first opened around the 1980's owned by Ernest Becker III and his three sons. These locations were named for Becker's uncle Charlie Meadows. The Becker family has had a long history of development and real estate. Arizona Charlie's Boulder opened in 2001.
Sign condition: 5 - looks new
Sign form: Super Pylon
Sign-specific description: Octagonal design. Effigy of a cowboy at its center in an oval plastic backlit sign. There is the words "Arizona Charlie's Boulder" in channeled neon letters. Underneath is a Reader Board with a LED video screen.
Sign - type of display: Neon, Incandescent, Plasma T.V. screen and reader board
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: LED plasma screen and Incandescents
Sign animation: Flasher for incandescent bulbs
Sign environment: A residential area surrounds the property, and adjacent to the main property is their own RV park.
Sign manufacturer: Possibly YESCO
Sign - date of installation: c. 2007
Sign - thematic influences: The Red and yellow/gold color scheme adds an old west and cowboy theme to the sign. The old West theme was very prominent in Las Vegas in the 1940's.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's Page, Arizona Charlie's Website
Survey - research notes: http://www.arizonacharliesboulder.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQjw9uHOBRDtz6CKke3z6ecBEiQAu0Jr3mlOR65dHh6OypoEF3LcYOCTWpwRltGP9Kh6YWjwBKgaApoi8P8HAQ
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-18
Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Flashing; Reader board; Video screen
Site address: 4575 Boulder Hwy
Sign owner: American Casino and Entertainment Properties LLC
Sign details: Currently Arizona Charlie's Boulder is owned by the Parent company American Casino and Entertainment Properties LLC. The original Arizona Charlie's on Decatur was first opened around the 1980's owned by Ernest Becker III and his three sons. These locations were named for Becker's uncle Charlie Meadows. The Becker family has had a long history of development and real estate. Arizona Charlie's Boulder opened in 2001.
Sign condition: 5 - looks new
Sign form: Super Pylon
Sign-specific description: Octagonal design. Effigy of a cowboy at its center in an oval plastic backlit sign. There is the words "Arizona Charlie's Boulder" in channeled neon letters. Underneath is a Reader Board with a LED video screen.
Sign - type of display: Neon, Incandescent, Plasma T.V. screen and reader board
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: LED plasma screen and Incandescents
Sign animation: Flasher for incandescent bulbs
Sign environment: A residential area surrounds the property, and adjacent to the main property is their own RV park.
Sign manufacturer: Possibly YESCO
Sign - date of installation: c. 2007
Sign - thematic influences: The Red and yellow/gold color scheme adds an old west and cowboy theme to the sign. The old West theme was very prominent in Las Vegas in the 1940's.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's Page, Arizona Charlie's Website
Survey - research notes: http://www.arizonacharliesboulder.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQjw9uHOBRDtz6CKke3z6ecBEiQAu0Jr3mlOR65dHh6OypoEF3LcYOCTWpwRltGP9Kh6YWjwBKgaApoi8P8HAQ
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-18
Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Flashing; Reader board; Video screen
Text
Lawless Center Neon Survey document, August 25, 2017
Date
2017-08-25
Archival Collection
Description
Information about the Lawless Center sign that sits at 4100 E Lake Mead Blvd.
Site address: 4100 E Lake Mead Blvd
Sign owner: Patricia Van Buskirk
Sign details: This location opened 1962, and has been family owned since then. This is a shopping center where businesses within it have changed over the years.
Sign condition: Needs some retouching but in good shape, 4
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: This pylon contains a mid-century modern star at the top of it that is painted white with skeletal neon that also illuminates white. Though each corner of the star has an incandescent light bulb. Under this are two googie style shapes one rusty-red and the other is a teal blue. These shapes have white letters stating "Lawless Center" in a mid-century modern font. The first word illuminates blue and the second is red. Underneath is a plastic reader board but does not illuminate at night time.
Sign - type of display: Neon and incandescent
Sign - media: Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic for reader board but does not illuminate at night
Sign environment: This location is on East Lake Mead in a residential area, but also has an auto body and paint store near it.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign designer: Brian "Buzz" Lemming
Sign - date of installation: 1963
Sign - thematic influences: In the Mid-century modern design, Atomic and space theming popular during the era.
Sign - artistic significance: According to Buzz Lemming it is designed after Sputnik, the star looking part on top.
Survey - research locations: Review Journal artricle https://www.reviewjournal.com/uncategorized/naming-las-vegas-lawless-center-history-a-mystery-worth-solving/ (all information from this article).
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-25
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Reader board; Pole sign; Back to back
Site address: 4100 E Lake Mead Blvd
Sign owner: Patricia Van Buskirk
Sign details: This location opened 1962, and has been family owned since then. This is a shopping center where businesses within it have changed over the years.
Sign condition: Needs some retouching but in good shape, 4
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: This pylon contains a mid-century modern star at the top of it that is painted white with skeletal neon that also illuminates white. Though each corner of the star has an incandescent light bulb. Under this are two googie style shapes one rusty-red and the other is a teal blue. These shapes have white letters stating "Lawless Center" in a mid-century modern font. The first word illuminates blue and the second is red. Underneath is a plastic reader board but does not illuminate at night time.
Sign - type of display: Neon and incandescent
Sign - media: Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic for reader board but does not illuminate at night
Sign environment: This location is on East Lake Mead in a residential area, but also has an auto body and paint store near it.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign designer: Brian "Buzz" Lemming
Sign - date of installation: 1963
Sign - thematic influences: In the Mid-century modern design, Atomic and space theming popular during the era.
Sign - artistic significance: According to Buzz Lemming it is designed after Sputnik, the star looking part on top.
Survey - research locations: Review Journal artricle https://www.reviewjournal.com/uncategorized/naming-las-vegas-lawless-center-history-a-mystery-worth-solving/ (all information from this article).
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-25
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Reader board; Pole sign; Back to back
Text
Kaku Makino and Masako "Julie" Ishitsuka oral history interview: transcript
Date
2021-03-22
Archival Collection
Description
Oral history interview with Kaku Makino and Masako "Julie" Ishitsuka conducted by Kristel Peralta, Vanessa Concepcion, Ayrton Yamaguchi, and Stefani Evans on March 22, 2021 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Makino discusses his early life in Tokyo, Japan and becoming a chef. He recalls arriving to the United States in 1989, establishing the Todai (now Makino Sushi & Seafood Buffet) restaurant chain, and opening nineteen locations in California, Florida, and in Hawaii. Kano talks about her upbringing in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan and describes Japan during the Meiji era. She remembers arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2000 and the cultural change she experienced. Lastly, Makino and Kano discuss the restaurant industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Text
Photograph of Pollyanna Inn sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Archival Collection
Description
Photo shows a daytime view of the Pollyanna Inn sign on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 4915 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: North of the Klondike on the east side of Las Vegas Blvd., the Pollyana Inn sits separated on both sides by vacant lots. The establishment is no longer functioning, but is still present and standing. Inside an ornate, and locked, wrought iron gate, the Pollyana Inn sits dark, no cars present, and no patrons around. The closed facility sits separated from the street by a small parking lot. It too follows the true form of the roadside motel with its front office combined with a covered car port, then opening up into a square parking lot surrounded by lowrise stretches of adjacent rooms. The salmon and white alternating stripes of the buildings exterior surface is reminiscent of the color schemes popular in the establishment's heyday. In the cracked and broken pavement in the parking lot, small statuary of animals adorn the dying flowed beds, and shrubbery. Many of the plants still exist and flourish on the property. On the north side of the parking lot a statuette of a lion looks out onto the street and a fountain sits next to the building. In the center of the front of the lot, a triangular shaped, brick planter, home to bushes, a statuette of an elephant along with the pole sign for the property. The right of the lot is bordered off by a large non-functional, broken down internally lit message cabinet.
Sign condition: Structure 3 Surface 3 Lighting 3
Sign form: pylon
Sign-specific description: The pylon sign for the establishment's roadside pole sign is located in the triangular planter, facing north/south on the west edge of the property. A white steel pole supports an internally lit, double backed, white, plastic faced message cabinet. The cabinet is actually two narrow, horizontal, rectangular cabinets stacked on top of each other. The exterior steel casing is painted a dark olive hue. The top cabinet spells "Pollyanna Motel" in red plastic letters, with vinyl lettering on the message board below. Small steel cabinet is attached to the west side of the underbelly of the sign. "Vacancy is spelled in white text with neon spelling "No". The pole continues up through the top of the cabinet and is crowned with a small ,internally lit, brown cabinet. A yellow raceway with incandescent bulbs runs along the entire outer edge. The yellow plastic face has the image of a tilted sombrero on it.
Sign - type of display: Neon, incandescent, backlit
Sign - media: steel, plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: graphics, paint
Sign animation: chasing, flashing
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Graphics; Paint; Steel; Plastic; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Site address: 4915 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: North of the Klondike on the east side of Las Vegas Blvd., the Pollyana Inn sits separated on both sides by vacant lots. The establishment is no longer functioning, but is still present and standing. Inside an ornate, and locked, wrought iron gate, the Pollyana Inn sits dark, no cars present, and no patrons around. The closed facility sits separated from the street by a small parking lot. It too follows the true form of the roadside motel with its front office combined with a covered car port, then opening up into a square parking lot surrounded by lowrise stretches of adjacent rooms. The salmon and white alternating stripes of the buildings exterior surface is reminiscent of the color schemes popular in the establishment's heyday. In the cracked and broken pavement in the parking lot, small statuary of animals adorn the dying flowed beds, and shrubbery. Many of the plants still exist and flourish on the property. On the north side of the parking lot a statuette of a lion looks out onto the street and a fountain sits next to the building. In the center of the front of the lot, a triangular shaped, brick planter, home to bushes, a statuette of an elephant along with the pole sign for the property. The right of the lot is bordered off by a large non-functional, broken down internally lit message cabinet.
Sign condition: Structure 3 Surface 3 Lighting 3
Sign form: pylon
Sign-specific description: The pylon sign for the establishment's roadside pole sign is located in the triangular planter, facing north/south on the west edge of the property. A white steel pole supports an internally lit, double backed, white, plastic faced message cabinet. The cabinet is actually two narrow, horizontal, rectangular cabinets stacked on top of each other. The exterior steel casing is painted a dark olive hue. The top cabinet spells "Pollyanna Motel" in red plastic letters, with vinyl lettering on the message board below. Small steel cabinet is attached to the west side of the underbelly of the sign. "Vacancy is spelled in white text with neon spelling "No". The pole continues up through the top of the cabinet and is crowned with a small ,internally lit, brown cabinet. A yellow raceway with incandescent bulbs runs along the entire outer edge. The yellow plastic face has the image of a tilted sombrero on it.
Sign - type of display: Neon, incandescent, backlit
Sign - media: steel, plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: graphics, paint
Sign animation: chasing, flashing
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Graphics; Paint; Steel; Plastic; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Mixed Content
Photographs of Las Vegas Library sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017
Date
2017-03-03
2017-08-04
Archival Collection
Description
The Las Vegas Library sign sits at 833 North Las Vegas Boulevard. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 833 N Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: City of Las Vegas is the owner of the property since 2015, but it is an Independent government agency ran by a board of trustees chosen by the city and county
Sign details: Opened since 1990. Used to be paired with the Lied Children's Discovery Museum but has been solely the library since the Children's Discovery museum moved to its new location in 2013. The Library property was sold to the city of Las Vegas October 2015.
Sign condition: 4-Lights up very brightly at night and the graphics are still relatively visible during the day, but the Lexan covering makes it a little cloudy looking during the day.
Sign form: Small rectangular roadside sign
Sign-specific description: Rectangular sign about 4ft by 3.5 feet but raised off the ground by nearly 7-8 feet. Double sided slate of concrete with painted font stating "Las Vegas Library". The letter light up red (neon) at night and the border of the sign is blue (argon)
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Concrete
Sign - non-neon treatments: Lexan to cover the Neon tubing
Sign environment: Across the street from Cashman Field. Located in the Cultural Corridor about a mile north of Fremont St. near the beginning of North Las Vegas.
Sign manufacturer: Fluresco Lighting and Sign
Sign - date of installation: 43143
Sign - date of redesign/move: Pre 2012- there was a roadside sign for the children's museum and library but no neon features on that sign.
Sign - thematic influences: Basic skeletal neon, but great use of Neon and Argon. Also the use of concrete as the background is very interesting and not seen as commonly as steel or wood backings for signs.
Sign - artistic significance: This sign shows that any type of company or property here in Las Vegas can have a Neon sign, thus perpetuating the culture of Las Vegas and how Neon defines the town.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas Sun Article https://lasvegassun.com/guides/about/public_libraries/ , Clark County Library website http://www.lvccld.org/about/branch_info.cfm?id=4 , Discovery Children's museum website https://www.discoverykidslv.org/ , contact with Stephen Rice the Library's General Services Director
Survey - research notes: The building is defined by the tall cylinder tower that used to be an observatory for the Children's museum.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-04
Sign keywords: Neon; Concrete; Roadside
Site address: 833 N Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: City of Las Vegas is the owner of the property since 2015, but it is an Independent government agency ran by a board of trustees chosen by the city and county
Sign details: Opened since 1990. Used to be paired with the Lied Children's Discovery Museum but has been solely the library since the Children's Discovery museum moved to its new location in 2013. The Library property was sold to the city of Las Vegas October 2015.
Sign condition: 4-Lights up very brightly at night and the graphics are still relatively visible during the day, but the Lexan covering makes it a little cloudy looking during the day.
Sign form: Small rectangular roadside sign
Sign-specific description: Rectangular sign about 4ft by 3.5 feet but raised off the ground by nearly 7-8 feet. Double sided slate of concrete with painted font stating "Las Vegas Library". The letter light up red (neon) at night and the border of the sign is blue (argon)
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Concrete
Sign - non-neon treatments: Lexan to cover the Neon tubing
Sign environment: Across the street from Cashman Field. Located in the Cultural Corridor about a mile north of Fremont St. near the beginning of North Las Vegas.
Sign manufacturer: Fluresco Lighting and Sign
Sign - date of installation: 43143
Sign - date of redesign/move: Pre 2012- there was a roadside sign for the children's museum and library but no neon features on that sign.
Sign - thematic influences: Basic skeletal neon, but great use of Neon and Argon. Also the use of concrete as the background is very interesting and not seen as commonly as steel or wood backings for signs.
Sign - artistic significance: This sign shows that any type of company or property here in Las Vegas can have a Neon sign, thus perpetuating the culture of Las Vegas and how Neon defines the town.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas Sun Article https://lasvegassun.com/guides/about/public_libraries/ , Clark County Library website http://www.lvccld.org/about/branch_info.cfm?id=4 , Discovery Children's museum website https://www.discoverykidslv.org/ , contact with Stephen Rice the Library's General Services Director
Survey - research notes: The building is defined by the tall cylinder tower that used to be an observatory for the Children's museum.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-04
Sign keywords: Neon; Concrete; Roadside
Mixed Content
Photographs of The Ambassador Motel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), April 28, 2016
Date
2016-04-28 to 2017-08-14
Archival Collection
Description
The Ambassador sign, restored by Downtown Project sits at a parking lot near the intersection of 9th Street and East Fremont Street. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survery Data Sheet.
Site address: 9th St and Fremont St
Sign owner: Jackie Gaughan(ca.1952)
Sign details: Opened ca. 1940 by Joseph Mikulich but was called Ambassador Auto Court, Jackie Gaughan renamed it in 1952 as "Jackie Gaughan's Ambassador East". This location closed down in 1996 and was demolished 2007. Currently this location holds a parking lot, but the sign was restored in 2013 and put back in its original location.
Sign condition: 5- Was recently restored and is in great condition.
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The building has been demolished, the sign has been restored and put on Fremont street. It is large red signage with a googie style "A" on top that looks like an arch. Vertically are the letters " MOTEL" in red neon. In a ribbon fashion around the letters are chasing incandescent light bulbs. In smaller white letters used to say "Ambassador Motel East" but now it states "Llamas stay for free" in a cursive white neon font. Beneath the letters is a reader board.
Sign - type of display: Neon, Incandescents and backlit reader board.
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Reader board and Incandescents.
Sign animation: Chasing
Notes: incandescent light bulbs.
Sign environment: This is located East side of Fremont Street across the street from Atomic Liquors.
Sign - date of installation: Circa 1950
Sign - date of redesign/move: 2013 Restoration
Sign - thematic influences: This sign has been a part of the recent trend to restore old signs on Fremont Street to keep the downtown neon culture alive.
Sign - artistic significance: This sign has a retro 50's/ 60's motel sign trend to it.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas Sun Article -https://lasvegassun.com/news/2013/jun/21/joe-downtown-motel-long-gone-ambassador-sign-being/ Classic Vegas website -http://classiclasvegas.squarespace.com/classic-las-vegas-blog/2007/12/19/the-ambassador-east.html Vintage Las Vegas Website -http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/Ambassador+Motel+
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-17
Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Chasing; Steel; Plastic; Reader board; Back to back
Site address: 9th St and Fremont St
Sign owner: Jackie Gaughan(ca.1952)
Sign details: Opened ca. 1940 by Joseph Mikulich but was called Ambassador Auto Court, Jackie Gaughan renamed it in 1952 as "Jackie Gaughan's Ambassador East". This location closed down in 1996 and was demolished 2007. Currently this location holds a parking lot, but the sign was restored in 2013 and put back in its original location.
Sign condition: 5- Was recently restored and is in great condition.
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The building has been demolished, the sign has been restored and put on Fremont street. It is large red signage with a googie style "A" on top that looks like an arch. Vertically are the letters " MOTEL" in red neon. In a ribbon fashion around the letters are chasing incandescent light bulbs. In smaller white letters used to say "Ambassador Motel East" but now it states "Llamas stay for free" in a cursive white neon font. Beneath the letters is a reader board.
Sign - type of display: Neon, Incandescents and backlit reader board.
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Reader board and Incandescents.
Sign animation: Chasing
Notes: incandescent light bulbs.
Sign environment: This is located East side of Fremont Street across the street from Atomic Liquors.
Sign - date of installation: Circa 1950
Sign - date of redesign/move: 2013 Restoration
Sign - thematic influences: This sign has been a part of the recent trend to restore old signs on Fremont Street to keep the downtown neon culture alive.
Sign - artistic significance: This sign has a retro 50's/ 60's motel sign trend to it.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas Sun Article -https://lasvegassun.com/news/2013/jun/21/joe-downtown-motel-long-gone-ambassador-sign-being/ Classic Vegas website -http://classiclasvegas.squarespace.com/classic-las-vegas-blog/2007/12/19/the-ambassador-east.html Vintage Las Vegas Website -http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/Ambassador+Motel+
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-17
Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Chasing; Steel; Plastic; Reader board; Back to back
Mixed Content
Photographs of Desert Oasis sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Archival Collection
Description
Daytime views of the Desert Oasis motel sign. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 4445 Diamond Head Dr
Sign owner: Volunteers of America/HUD
Sign details: The Desert Oasis Apartments is on the south end of the strip, south of the Pit Stop. The low rise tan stone structure of the apartments sits just east of the strip separated by a small parking lot.
Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 3 Lighting 3
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The Desert Oasis Apartments is on the south end of the strip, south of the Pit Stop. The low rise tan stone structure of the apartments sits just east of the strip separated by a small parking lot. Just outside the main entrance, extremely close to the building, facing north south, two brown, sculpted, steel legs, support an internally lit message center. The two legs look to be representative giant Tiki heads. In the space between the legs, and on the bottom edge of the message cabinet, a clear plastic box hold neon sculpted into the words "Vacancy" underneath the word "No." The cabinet is painted a rusted color and the face is fluted plastic with vinyl lettering. Two square posts rise out of the top of the cabinet, a short distance, before they support a larger double backed internally lit cabinet. A center pole resides between the two legs, rising into the center of the cabinet as well. The cabinet is crafted out of a polished gold metal. The face of the sign is a graphically treated surface. Desert Oasis is written in red cursive script across the top of the sign. A small graphically painted green palm tree, sits just to the right of the text. The middle of the board is occupied by large all capital text reading "Motel," in black text. Two black horizontal scrolls flank the text. A band of red runs horizontally across the bottom of the sign, with white painted text reading "Apartments."
Sign - type of display: Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics
Sign animation: none
Sign environment: The Desert Oasis is located between the Laughing Jackalope to the south and the Motel 8 establishment to the north. It stands very inconspicuous among the environment of the southern end of the strip, easily passed by the motorist or wandering pedestrian.
Sign - thematic influences: Even though the establishment fits into the genre of a roadside motel, the sign itself doesn't quite fit in to the motif. The building itself is reminiscent of standard architecture of the era and location, the sign itself has elements of a Polynesian flavor. The legs of the sign appear to be Tiki like figures, but the details are quite vague.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Pylon; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Graphics
Site address: 4445 Diamond Head Dr
Sign owner: Volunteers of America/HUD
Sign details: The Desert Oasis Apartments is on the south end of the strip, south of the Pit Stop. The low rise tan stone structure of the apartments sits just east of the strip separated by a small parking lot.
Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 3 Lighting 3
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The Desert Oasis Apartments is on the south end of the strip, south of the Pit Stop. The low rise tan stone structure of the apartments sits just east of the strip separated by a small parking lot. Just outside the main entrance, extremely close to the building, facing north south, two brown, sculpted, steel legs, support an internally lit message center. The two legs look to be representative giant Tiki heads. In the space between the legs, and on the bottom edge of the message cabinet, a clear plastic box hold neon sculpted into the words "Vacancy" underneath the word "No." The cabinet is painted a rusted color and the face is fluted plastic with vinyl lettering. Two square posts rise out of the top of the cabinet, a short distance, before they support a larger double backed internally lit cabinet. A center pole resides between the two legs, rising into the center of the cabinet as well. The cabinet is crafted out of a polished gold metal. The face of the sign is a graphically treated surface. Desert Oasis is written in red cursive script across the top of the sign. A small graphically painted green palm tree, sits just to the right of the text. The middle of the board is occupied by large all capital text reading "Motel," in black text. Two black horizontal scrolls flank the text. A band of red runs horizontally across the bottom of the sign, with white painted text reading "Apartments."
Sign - type of display: Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics
Sign animation: none
Sign environment: The Desert Oasis is located between the Laughing Jackalope to the south and the Motel 8 establishment to the north. It stands very inconspicuous among the environment of the southern end of the strip, easily passed by the motorist or wandering pedestrian.
Sign - thematic influences: Even though the establishment fits into the genre of a roadside motel, the sign itself doesn't quite fit in to the motif. The building itself is reminiscent of standard architecture of the era and location, the sign itself has elements of a Polynesian flavor. The legs of the sign appear to be Tiki like figures, but the details are quite vague.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Pylon; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Graphics
Mixed Content
Photographs of Smashed Pig sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), June 28, 2017
Date
2017-06-28
2017-08-22
Archival Collection
Description
The sign for The Smashed Pig sits at 509 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site address: 509 Fremont St
Sign owner: Martin Swift
Sign details: The original construction year of this building dates to 1952. Previous to the Smashed Pig opening in this location it was a tattoo parlor. This English Gastropub opened in 2015.
Sign condition: 4.5- but some neon may be needing a repair on the sign but still is in good quality.
Sign form: Entrance sign
Sign-specific description: Right above their entrance they have a rectangular steel backing with "The Smashed Pig" in white cursive letters, there is skeletal neon making these words illuminate pink at night time. Underneath this states "GASTROPUB" in print skeletal neon that whites up white. Above this rectangular sign is a plastic back lit sign pig which depicts alcohol laying on top of it.
Sign - type of display: Neon and backlit plastic sign
Sign - media: Plastic and steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic back lit sign
Sign environment: Located in the East Fremont District. To the East of this property is the Griffin, and to the West is Flippin Good Burgers.
Sign manufacturer: Las Vegas Signs
Sign - date of installation: Late 2015
Sign - thematic influences: The pig sign that they have above their entrance looks smashed, the slang term for drunk especially since they depict bottles of alcohol sitting upon the pig. Though the pig looks physically smashed down. This helps relate to their theme since the image they depicts the name of their property.
Sign - artistic significance: The theme is represented in the name and the sign since it is a gastropub where you can drink and eat good food.
Survey - research locations: Smashed Pig website _https://www.thesmashedpig.com/ , Eater Las Vegas https://vegas.eater.com/2015/3/24/8281761/first-word-the-smashed-pig-gastropub-to-fremont-street, Las Vegas Weekly https://lasvegasweekly.com/dining/reviews/2016/feb/10/smashed-pig-british-pub-fremont-street-downtown/#/0 , discussion with owner
Survey - research notes: On the Smashed Pig website they state that the definition of their gastropub is a pub that specializes in serving high quality food.
Survey - other remarks: Martin Swift and his late wife Linda Rodriguez opened this location in 2015 after being trained by renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa as well as opening the Hachi restaurant at the Red Rock.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-22
Sign keywords: Neon; Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Fascia; Building-front design
Site address: 509 Fremont St
Sign owner: Martin Swift
Sign details: The original construction year of this building dates to 1952. Previous to the Smashed Pig opening in this location it was a tattoo parlor. This English Gastropub opened in 2015.
Sign condition: 4.5- but some neon may be needing a repair on the sign but still is in good quality.
Sign form: Entrance sign
Sign-specific description: Right above their entrance they have a rectangular steel backing with "The Smashed Pig" in white cursive letters, there is skeletal neon making these words illuminate pink at night time. Underneath this states "GASTROPUB" in print skeletal neon that whites up white. Above this rectangular sign is a plastic back lit sign pig which depicts alcohol laying on top of it.
Sign - type of display: Neon and backlit plastic sign
Sign - media: Plastic and steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic back lit sign
Sign environment: Located in the East Fremont District. To the East of this property is the Griffin, and to the West is Flippin Good Burgers.
Sign manufacturer: Las Vegas Signs
Sign - date of installation: Late 2015
Sign - thematic influences: The pig sign that they have above their entrance looks smashed, the slang term for drunk especially since they depict bottles of alcohol sitting upon the pig. Though the pig looks physically smashed down. This helps relate to their theme since the image they depicts the name of their property.
Sign - artistic significance: The theme is represented in the name and the sign since it is a gastropub where you can drink and eat good food.
Survey - research locations: Smashed Pig website _https://www.thesmashedpig.com/ , Eater Las Vegas https://vegas.eater.com/2015/3/24/8281761/first-word-the-smashed-pig-gastropub-to-fremont-street, Las Vegas Weekly https://lasvegasweekly.com/dining/reviews/2016/feb/10/smashed-pig-british-pub-fremont-street-downtown/#/0 , discussion with owner
Survey - research notes: On the Smashed Pig website they state that the definition of their gastropub is a pub that specializes in serving high quality food.
Survey - other remarks: Martin Swift and his late wife Linda Rodriguez opened this location in 2015 after being trained by renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa as well as opening the Hachi restaurant at the Red Rock.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-22
Sign keywords: Neon; Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Fascia; Building-front design
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