Search Results
Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) Corporate Records
Identifier
MS-00403
Abstract
The Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) Corporate Records (1914-2000) document the history of the Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) and is comprised of photographs of sign production and finished signs, negatives, slides, transparencies, anniversary scrapbooks, and videotapes. The collection also contains meeting minutes, correspondence, price books, drawings, calculations, newspaper and trade magazine articles on YESCO, advertising materials, and oral history interviews and audio recordings of YESCO designers and executives. YESCO is responsible for many of the neon signs in and around Las Vegas, Nevada and Reno, Nevada, as well as other Western states.
Archival Collection
Photographs of Battista's signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Archival Collection
Description
Photos show Battista's signs at night. Two surveys were conducted to gather information about this sign. One was conducted in 2002 and one was conducted in 2017. PDFs are available for both surveys. See the 2017 survey PDF for additional information that is not included in the object description.
Site address: 4041 Audrie St
Sign details: Battista's "hole in the wall" Italian restaurant is located in a small shopping mall on the corner of Audrie and Flamingo, just east of the strip. The actual establishment of Battista's faces east in the northwest corner of the shopping center. The pylon sign sits on the northwest corner of FlamingoRd and Audrie st., the entrance to the building is also adorned with neon signs as well. On the extreme north end of the property a pole sign for a general store also shares signage with Battista's.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: The pylon sign for Battista's is on the corner of Flamingo and Audrie, on the wet side of Audrie. It is a double- backed roadside pole sign with two cabinets, and an LED message center. The sign is a host of visual candy, laden with neon and incandescent bulbs. The upper portion of the sign is comprised of the larger cabinet, below that the LED message-center, then below that the smaller cabinet makes up the bottom of the sign. The top cabinet has sculpted edges created bulging edges as well as a round top. The two corners are stepped. The bottom of the sign is a flat horizontal edge. The surface of the sign is painted red. The majority of the sign's face is occupied by channel letters spelling "Battista's Italian Restaurant," in channel letters with red neon borders. Below that "Lounge," and then "Banquets" is spelled one on top of each other in yellow channel letters. Yellow neon in on the interior of the channels. Two tubes of green neon extend horizontally from each side of this text. On the far left and right-hand sides of the cabinet, green neon scrollwork adorn the space between the main text and the edge of the cabinet. Spelled in small painted letters above the main text, resides the phrase "hole in the wall. Yellow neon tubes spell the same text, hovering over the graphics. In the remaining space above this text and the top edge, purple and green neon are sculpted to appear as a bunch of grapes and their vines. The entire sign is bordered in gold polished raceways with incandescent bulbs. Below the main section of the cabinet is a tri-colored LED message center, running scrolling messages about the restaurant in red, white, and green, which are the colors of the Italian flag. The smaller cabinet below the message center has sculpted edges also, with the top edge being straight along the length of the message center. It is painted green. General store is spelled across the top of the sign in white channel letters with white neon on the interior. Graphically painted in red, below the white text, the words "groceries, beer wine, souvenirs, and slots" are overlayed with red neon. In the remaining space on the bottom of the cabinet a small logo for "Coors Light," is graphically painted and overlayed with corresponding neon. To the left and right of that two arrows point toward the property, painted in red then overlayed with red neon. Over the entrance to the building, a wooden A-frame shaped structure forms a cover over the main entrance to the restaurant. In an arched pattern on the wooden face of this awning, "Battista's" is spelled it it's specific text in channel lettering, filled with neon. Below that in green channel letters, in the same arched pattern, spell hole in the wall, and has green neon in the interior. On other side of the dual arched text two, channel designed scrollwork pieces are illuminated with yellow neon. On the far north end of the lot a pole sign is designated next to the general store that the main pylon advertises. The top of the sign is an internally lit cabinet with graphic treatments for the general store. Incandescent bulbs line the edge of the cabinet. Further down the pole a small back-lit, horizontal, rectangular cabinet advertises for the Battista's establishment. Below that a square, internally lit cabinet, has red and green graphical treatments reading "Fine Italian Cuisine." The last bit of signage on the pole is a small, internally lit cabinet, flag poled off of the east end of the pole with red neon spelling, "groceries 24 hrs." On the North side of the building another sign for Battista's is present.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Matrix; Backlit; LED
Sign - media: Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing
Notes: The raceways which run around the border of the surface of the sign, chase each other from right to left. The incandescent bulbs which surround the internally lit cabinet on the pole sign designated for the convenience store also chase each other.
Sign environment: The Battista's pylon share unique company when it comes to it's environment. East across Audrie, is the Bourbon Street Hotel Casino, while the extensive Bally's property resides south across Flamingo Dr. The small shopping center proves a break in the action of casino hotels. The pylon stands as a prominent figure on the corner of the lot. Just to the west of the pylon, on the same side of the street, is the original Flamingo pylon, preceding the Barbary Coast. If you continue north on Audrie, the Flamingo Hilton may be assessed through a drive to the west.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the facility centers around the theme of an Italian restaurant. The pylon's colors, and matrix message center are all in accordance with colors of the Italian flag, as well as the signage above the door. The graphics, and neon representations of grapes on the pylon reference the afore mentioned theme. The entrance to the facility is the A-framed roof-like structure wood structure, referencing a rustic cottage or facility. This is significant in the name "Hole in the wall," which the facility boasts.
Sign - artistic significance: The significance of the Battista's establishment fits in with other facilities on the Strip such as The Rosewood Grill, Alan Albert's, 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 Walgreens, Alan Albert's is a non-casino dressed up to fit in with the local surroundings. It is also unique in the fact that the establishment which dominates the space which it resides. Unlike Alan Albert's which is tucked down a narrow alley, it is spoken out loudly with a pylon sign, another pole sign and a wall sign as well. Both pole signs are reminiscent of old roadside motel signs.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Fascia; Pylon; Neon; Matrix; Backlit; LED; Steel; Paint; Graphics
Site address: 4041 Audrie St
Sign details: Battista's "hole in the wall" Italian restaurant is located in a small shopping mall on the corner of Audrie and Flamingo, just east of the strip. The actual establishment of Battista's faces east in the northwest corner of the shopping center. The pylon sign sits on the northwest corner of FlamingoRd and Audrie st., the entrance to the building is also adorned with neon signs as well. On the extreme north end of the property a pole sign for a general store also shares signage with Battista's.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: The pylon sign for Battista's is on the corner of Flamingo and Audrie, on the wet side of Audrie. It is a double- backed roadside pole sign with two cabinets, and an LED message center. The sign is a host of visual candy, laden with neon and incandescent bulbs. The upper portion of the sign is comprised of the larger cabinet, below that the LED message-center, then below that the smaller cabinet makes up the bottom of the sign. The top cabinet has sculpted edges created bulging edges as well as a round top. The two corners are stepped. The bottom of the sign is a flat horizontal edge. The surface of the sign is painted red. The majority of the sign's face is occupied by channel letters spelling "Battista's Italian Restaurant," in channel letters with red neon borders. Below that "Lounge," and then "Banquets" is spelled one on top of each other in yellow channel letters. Yellow neon in on the interior of the channels. Two tubes of green neon extend horizontally from each side of this text. On the far left and right-hand sides of the cabinet, green neon scrollwork adorn the space between the main text and the edge of the cabinet. Spelled in small painted letters above the main text, resides the phrase "hole in the wall. Yellow neon tubes spell the same text, hovering over the graphics. In the remaining space above this text and the top edge, purple and green neon are sculpted to appear as a bunch of grapes and their vines. The entire sign is bordered in gold polished raceways with incandescent bulbs. Below the main section of the cabinet is a tri-colored LED message center, running scrolling messages about the restaurant in red, white, and green, which are the colors of the Italian flag. The smaller cabinet below the message center has sculpted edges also, with the top edge being straight along the length of the message center. It is painted green. General store is spelled across the top of the sign in white channel letters with white neon on the interior. Graphically painted in red, below the white text, the words "groceries, beer wine, souvenirs, and slots" are overlayed with red neon. In the remaining space on the bottom of the cabinet a small logo for "Coors Light," is graphically painted and overlayed with corresponding neon. To the left and right of that two arrows point toward the property, painted in red then overlayed with red neon. Over the entrance to the building, a wooden A-frame shaped structure forms a cover over the main entrance to the restaurant. In an arched pattern on the wooden face of this awning, "Battista's" is spelled it it's specific text in channel lettering, filled with neon. Below that in green channel letters, in the same arched pattern, spell hole in the wall, and has green neon in the interior. On other side of the dual arched text two, channel designed scrollwork pieces are illuminated with yellow neon. On the far north end of the lot a pole sign is designated next to the general store that the main pylon advertises. The top of the sign is an internally lit cabinet with graphic treatments for the general store. Incandescent bulbs line the edge of the cabinet. Further down the pole a small back-lit, horizontal, rectangular cabinet advertises for the Battista's establishment. Below that a square, internally lit cabinet, has red and green graphical treatments reading "Fine Italian Cuisine." The last bit of signage on the pole is a small, internally lit cabinet, flag poled off of the east end of the pole with red neon spelling, "groceries 24 hrs." On the North side of the building another sign for Battista's is present.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Matrix; Backlit; LED
Sign - media: Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing
Notes: The raceways which run around the border of the surface of the sign, chase each other from right to left. The incandescent bulbs which surround the internally lit cabinet on the pole sign designated for the convenience store also chase each other.
Sign environment: The Battista's pylon share unique company when it comes to it's environment. East across Audrie, is the Bourbon Street Hotel Casino, while the extensive Bally's property resides south across Flamingo Dr. The small shopping center proves a break in the action of casino hotels. The pylon stands as a prominent figure on the corner of the lot. Just to the west of the pylon, on the same side of the street, is the original Flamingo pylon, preceding the Barbary Coast. If you continue north on Audrie, the Flamingo Hilton may be assessed through a drive to the west.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the facility centers around the theme of an Italian restaurant. The pylon's colors, and matrix message center are all in accordance with colors of the Italian flag, as well as the signage above the door. The graphics, and neon representations of grapes on the pylon reference the afore mentioned theme. The entrance to the facility is the A-framed roof-like structure wood structure, referencing a rustic cottage or facility. This is significant in the name "Hole in the wall," which the facility boasts.
Sign - artistic significance: The significance of the Battista's establishment fits in with other facilities on the Strip such as The Rosewood Grill, Alan Albert's, 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 Walgreens, Alan Albert's is a non-casino dressed up to fit in with the local surroundings. It is also unique in the fact that the establishment which dominates the space which it resides. Unlike Alan Albert's which is tucked down a narrow alley, it is spoken out loudly with a pylon sign, another pole sign and a wall sign as well. Both pole signs are reminiscent of old roadside motel signs.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Fascia; Pylon; Neon; Matrix; Backlit; LED; Steel; Paint; Graphics
Mixed Content
Photographs of Blue Note signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Archival Collection
Description
Views of the Blue Note club signs on the Las Vegas Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 3663 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Blue Note International: Father & Son team of Danny and Steven Bensusan
Sign details: The Blue Note is located a short distance east, down Harmon Ave., on the north side of the street, facing south. It is part of the Aladdin Hotel Casino. A vacant lot resides on the corner, and is the only thing that separates the Blue Note from the Strip. Signage for the property includes two logo wall signs on the west wall of the building, a vertical blade sign and an entrance sign over the main port to the establishment.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: Just east off of Las Vegas Blvd, down Harmon Ave, lies the entrance to the "Blue Note: Jazz Capital of the World." The Blue Note is actually part of the Aladdin property, residing in the eastern most wing of the building, on the south side of Harmon. The majority of the signage hangs on the front of the building, which faces south toward Harmon Ave., with additional signage on the west face of the structure that extends from the Aladdin property. A vacant lot on the north east corner separates the Blue Note from the rest of the strip. The structure of the building and the design of the signage are juxtaposed with the building still being finished in a Persian Palace theme. While the signs are reminiscent of roaring twenties style font and theatre front design. Several different types of signs adorn the Blue Note. Two wall /logo signs hang on the west side of the building, while a sculpted entrance marquee, a hanging logo sign, and a vertical blade sign hung on the south side of the building. The west wall logo sign is composed of blue channel letters spelling the text " Blue Note," separated by a circular cabinet with a tube of neon bent to emulate the shape of a musical note placed in the middle. Five steel bars just out from either side of the cabinet. Below the text, a white steel cabinet with rounded ends, support a thin set of blue channel letters reading, "Jazz capital of the world." Further to the right a set of pink channel letters rest upon the upper portion of the corner of the structure. The letters are filled with pink neon. Along the South face of the building the first sign, hung in close proximity to the southwest corner, a vertical blade sign sits on a radius base of shaped molding jutting out of the wall. The actual body of the sign is a double backed cabinet finished in polished aluminum, with blue pin striping along the edges as well as along the rounded edge of the top. Near the top of the sign, the same rounded cabinet seen on the west wall of the structure, is integrated into the blade facing east/west. The cabinet is thicker in width to compensate for the width of the actual sign. The edges of the steel structure are painted in the same blue tone. The afore mentioned blue neon tubing fashioned into the shape of the note resides in this cabinet also. Along the east/west sides of the sign the text "The Blue Note," runs vertically from top to bottom, in blue channel letters only interrupted by the circular cabinet. The panel, which the text resides is painted white. Along the edge of the blade, which faces south, the text "Blue Note" is spelled vertically in blue channel letters. Sitting along the edge of the base, which the sign sits on, thin red channel letters stand almost independently, wrapping around the radius of the base. Starting on the west side of the sign and finishing on the east side, the text reads "Club & Cafe." These letters are filled with tubes of red neon. The letters are attached to a backing radius band of metal appearing to be gold. Further down the face of the building the main entrance to the building plays host to an overhead marquee/logo sign incorporating sculptural elements as well. Directly in the center of the composition, a long horizontal cabinet plays host to the red channel letters filed with red neon, reading, "World's Finest Jazz Club." Sitting on the top edge of the cabinet the same configuration of the Blue Note logo sign along with the circular cabinet, rests in front a sculpted piece of black steel. This piece of black painted steel is cut to appear as if it is the open top to a piano. Along the interior edge of the lid tubes of blue neon form a blue border. Between the piano top and the Blue Note logo, a horizontal steel grate serves as a divider as well as support for the blue channel letters. This entire section sits on a long horizontal ledge composed of a long polished steel section with a long LED message center just below that. Slightly recessed below the message center another width of overhang constructed of steel is painted to appear as if it is made of piano keys. Along the wall, just above the door, the pink channel letters read "Insomnia" with pink neon on the interior.
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Steel; Fiberglass
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign environment: Situated just east off the strip, down Harmon Avenue, the Blue Note is the only attraction in its immediate area. Even though it is part of the Aladdin complex, the closest property is the Harley Davidson Cafe on the south east corner of Harmon and Las Vegas Blvd At night, the property loses its Arabian Nights architecture emitting a sultry glow of neon. It is hard to miss, if a pedestrian peers down the street while traveling north or south, on the east side of the strip. During the day, the architecture helps to blend in the property to appear as it is, part of the Aladdin.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: 2000
Sign - thematic influences: The building itself is part of the actual Aladdin property, so the faced of the structure is themed in the manner of an ancient Persian city. It is an interesting juxtaposition for the sleek, modern finish and colors of the signage, with the organic facade of domed towers and stone facade. The Blue note signage is themed around the subject of music, specifically Jazz and Blues music. The blue hue of the neon, and the cabinet containing the crafted musical note are all evidence of this. The blade sign is thematically influenced by marquee building signs for theaters and music clubs from the first part of the century, specifically the forties and fifties. Such examples that utilized a similar designed blade sign were properties from the 1930's 40's and 50's such as The Boulder Club, The Pioneer Club, and the Las Vegas Club.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Fascia; Neon; Steel; Fiberglass; Paint
Site address: 3663 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Blue Note International: Father & Son team of Danny and Steven Bensusan
Sign details: The Blue Note is located a short distance east, down Harmon Ave., on the north side of the street, facing south. It is part of the Aladdin Hotel Casino. A vacant lot resides on the corner, and is the only thing that separates the Blue Note from the Strip. Signage for the property includes two logo wall signs on the west wall of the building, a vertical blade sign and an entrance sign over the main port to the establishment.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: Just east off of Las Vegas Blvd, down Harmon Ave, lies the entrance to the "Blue Note: Jazz Capital of the World." The Blue Note is actually part of the Aladdin property, residing in the eastern most wing of the building, on the south side of Harmon. The majority of the signage hangs on the front of the building, which faces south toward Harmon Ave., with additional signage on the west face of the structure that extends from the Aladdin property. A vacant lot on the north east corner separates the Blue Note from the rest of the strip. The structure of the building and the design of the signage are juxtaposed with the building still being finished in a Persian Palace theme. While the signs are reminiscent of roaring twenties style font and theatre front design. Several different types of signs adorn the Blue Note. Two wall /logo signs hang on the west side of the building, while a sculpted entrance marquee, a hanging logo sign, and a vertical blade sign hung on the south side of the building. The west wall logo sign is composed of blue channel letters spelling the text " Blue Note," separated by a circular cabinet with a tube of neon bent to emulate the shape of a musical note placed in the middle. Five steel bars just out from either side of the cabinet. Below the text, a white steel cabinet with rounded ends, support a thin set of blue channel letters reading, "Jazz capital of the world." Further to the right a set of pink channel letters rest upon the upper portion of the corner of the structure. The letters are filled with pink neon. Along the South face of the building the first sign, hung in close proximity to the southwest corner, a vertical blade sign sits on a radius base of shaped molding jutting out of the wall. The actual body of the sign is a double backed cabinet finished in polished aluminum, with blue pin striping along the edges as well as along the rounded edge of the top. Near the top of the sign, the same rounded cabinet seen on the west wall of the structure, is integrated into the blade facing east/west. The cabinet is thicker in width to compensate for the width of the actual sign. The edges of the steel structure are painted in the same blue tone. The afore mentioned blue neon tubing fashioned into the shape of the note resides in this cabinet also. Along the east/west sides of the sign the text "The Blue Note," runs vertically from top to bottom, in blue channel letters only interrupted by the circular cabinet. The panel, which the text resides is painted white. Along the edge of the blade, which faces south, the text "Blue Note" is spelled vertically in blue channel letters. Sitting along the edge of the base, which the sign sits on, thin red channel letters stand almost independently, wrapping around the radius of the base. Starting on the west side of the sign and finishing on the east side, the text reads "Club & Cafe." These letters are filled with tubes of red neon. The letters are attached to a backing radius band of metal appearing to be gold. Further down the face of the building the main entrance to the building plays host to an overhead marquee/logo sign incorporating sculptural elements as well. Directly in the center of the composition, a long horizontal cabinet plays host to the red channel letters filed with red neon, reading, "World's Finest Jazz Club." Sitting on the top edge of the cabinet the same configuration of the Blue Note logo sign along with the circular cabinet, rests in front a sculpted piece of black steel. This piece of black painted steel is cut to appear as if it is the open top to a piano. Along the interior edge of the lid tubes of blue neon form a blue border. Between the piano top and the Blue Note logo, a horizontal steel grate serves as a divider as well as support for the blue channel letters. This entire section sits on a long horizontal ledge composed of a long polished steel section with a long LED message center just below that. Slightly recessed below the message center another width of overhang constructed of steel is painted to appear as if it is made of piano keys. Along the wall, just above the door, the pink channel letters read "Insomnia" with pink neon on the interior.
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Steel; Fiberglass
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign environment: Situated just east off the strip, down Harmon Avenue, the Blue Note is the only attraction in its immediate area. Even though it is part of the Aladdin complex, the closest property is the Harley Davidson Cafe on the south east corner of Harmon and Las Vegas Blvd At night, the property loses its Arabian Nights architecture emitting a sultry glow of neon. It is hard to miss, if a pedestrian peers down the street while traveling north or south, on the east side of the strip. During the day, the architecture helps to blend in the property to appear as it is, part of the Aladdin.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: 2000
Sign - thematic influences: The building itself is part of the actual Aladdin property, so the faced of the structure is themed in the manner of an ancient Persian city. It is an interesting juxtaposition for the sleek, modern finish and colors of the signage, with the organic facade of domed towers and stone facade. The Blue note signage is themed around the subject of music, specifically Jazz and Blues music. The blue hue of the neon, and the cabinet containing the crafted musical note are all evidence of this. The blade sign is thematically influenced by marquee building signs for theaters and music clubs from the first part of the century, specifically the forties and fifties. Such examples that utilized a similar designed blade sign were properties from the 1930's 40's and 50's such as The Boulder Club, The Pioneer Club, and the Las Vegas Club.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Fascia; Neon; Steel; Fiberglass; Paint
Mixed Content
Photographs of Casino Royale and Denny's signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Archival Collection
Description
Daytime and nighttime views of the Casino Royale and Denny's signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 3419 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Tom Elardi
Sign details: The Casino Royale is located on the east side of the strip facing west, just south of the Venetian. The smaller establishment shares its space with a Denny's restaurant, which was present before the Royale was opened. The exterior is adorned with a stylized, European-esque, architecture, including apparent windows, domes, towers, and a cohesive landscape of connected buildings. The exterior of the Royale is a brightly lit facade of white raceways, lined with incandescent bulbs, boxing in vibrantly toned walls, and subdued neon. The colors correspond with those seen in the sign itself, as well the neon placed inside the edges of the windows. One section displays purple, the next a teal color, next a blue, then a red. Total signage of the property includes a two LED screens, one on the west side of the building, and the other housed in the logo cabinet on the south west corner of the property. Two logo cabinets, one in the aforementioned spot, and the second facing west over the main entrance on the west side of the building. Two double-faced cabinets lie on the northern end of the west side of the building, advertising for Denny's restaurant. Two small logos signs are also placed on the west face of the structure, for Caffe Trilussa.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: Upon the southwest corner of the building, a blue cabinet houses an LED screen in the rectangular body of the cabinet. The cabinet continues upward where the blue steel face supports white channel letters bordered in red neon and filled with incandescent bulbs. The text is written in two lines. The cabinet continues upward and is transformed into the sculpted design of a pink, purple, red, and blue crown on channel faced scrolls and sweeping shapes. The interiors of each section are lined with neon of a corresponding color to the paint treatments. Around to the west side of the building, the same style of text and scrolling adornments are used in a different marquee sign denoting the main entrance to the establishment. The same style of text seen on the southwestern sign is present with the same pattern of scroll work, crafted in a cabinet style, with channel faces. The major difference between the two signs is the size. The main entrance sign is much larger than the corner sign, as well as not having a LED screen incorporated below the text. The western sign possesses more scroll work below the text instead. The neon treatments are the same, as well as the incandescent bulbs, inside of the text. The lower roofline of the property plays host to the small but noticeable signage for Caffe Trilussa. Upon a extended surface of the roof line, two separate signs for the establishment are present. The roof shape is three sided with the signage on the northwest and southwest sides of the extension. Inside a section of the entablature created with white raceways, brown channel letters, spell the text "Trilussa," stretching across the length of the surface. The brown letters sit upon a yellow surface and are filled with incandescent bulbs, which are as wide as the channel letters themselves. Spelled in bent neon tubing, the word "Caffe" is spelled in all capital letters, sitting just above the left hand side of the title text. The right of the collection is occupied by a graphically treated, two-dimensional cut-out of a palm tree. The palm tree is treated on the surface with neon tubing as well. The tubing glows green and a gold corresponding to the graphical treatments. At the northern end of the property, two signs sit outside facing north, south. The double backed, internally lit cabinets represent the advertisements for the Denny's restaurant attached to the Royale. The first is at ground level outside the main entrance of the restaurant, the six sided, green cabinet, sports a yellow plastic face with red graphic text, reading "Denny's" in script text. Around the border of the face, incandescent bulbs run in a raceway pattern, and are covered in a plastic sheath. An angular cabinet rests on top of the other cabinet, creating a shallow peak. The internally lit, white face reads "Casino Royale" in black text. The same cabinet can be seen cantilevering off of the west side of the building above its partner sign. The cabinets are of identical design except for there is no plastic sheath covering the raceway of incandescent bulbs, and the plastic face of the main section of the cabinet is treated in different graphics. The script reads "Denny's" similar red script, but with a different background.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, oscillating
Notes: The incandescent bulbs inside the channel letters of the main text oscillate, while all incandescent bulbs on the raceways along the building chase each other also. The incandescent bulbs, which surround the Denny's cabinet, also chase each other.
Sign environment: The Casino Royale stands independently on it's own even though it is surrounded on all sides by casino giants. To the north stands the Venetian, to the South stands Harrah's, and the Mirage lies west across the street. Yes, the property itself seems to be dwarfed by the immense neighbors, but the ultra bright, clear external signage and facade create a charming and bright environment that announces its presence.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: 1992
Sign - date of redesign/move: The Royale was once the Nob hill, which was closed in 1980. It was reopened in 1992 as the Casino Royale.
Sign - thematic influences: The theme seems to be tied to a European theme with the French term "Royale" in the title. The scrollwork is reminiscent of confetti or Mardi Gras theme. Such a combination of elements to suggest a theme is seen in the Harrah's property also. The party themed reminiscent sculpted cabinets are also reminiscent of the Fleur de Li. Believe it or not, the property is tied to many other larger, corporate, properties in one respect regarding its facades. The facade of a town or city, shrunken down and stylized into the facade of the property is present all over the Strip. Such properties which utilize this technique, to one degree or the next, include: New York New York, Oshea's, Treasure Island, Bellagio, The Venetian, The Luxor, The Tropicana, and the Excalibur.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Oscillating; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic
Site address: 3419 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Tom Elardi
Sign details: The Casino Royale is located on the east side of the strip facing west, just south of the Venetian. The smaller establishment shares its space with a Denny's restaurant, which was present before the Royale was opened. The exterior is adorned with a stylized, European-esque, architecture, including apparent windows, domes, towers, and a cohesive landscape of connected buildings. The exterior of the Royale is a brightly lit facade of white raceways, lined with incandescent bulbs, boxing in vibrantly toned walls, and subdued neon. The colors correspond with those seen in the sign itself, as well the neon placed inside the edges of the windows. One section displays purple, the next a teal color, next a blue, then a red. Total signage of the property includes a two LED screens, one on the west side of the building, and the other housed in the logo cabinet on the south west corner of the property. Two logo cabinets, one in the aforementioned spot, and the second facing west over the main entrance on the west side of the building. Two double-faced cabinets lie on the northern end of the west side of the building, advertising for Denny's restaurant. Two small logos signs are also placed on the west face of the structure, for Caffe Trilussa.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: Upon the southwest corner of the building, a blue cabinet houses an LED screen in the rectangular body of the cabinet. The cabinet continues upward where the blue steel face supports white channel letters bordered in red neon and filled with incandescent bulbs. The text is written in two lines. The cabinet continues upward and is transformed into the sculpted design of a pink, purple, red, and blue crown on channel faced scrolls and sweeping shapes. The interiors of each section are lined with neon of a corresponding color to the paint treatments. Around to the west side of the building, the same style of text and scrolling adornments are used in a different marquee sign denoting the main entrance to the establishment. The same style of text seen on the southwestern sign is present with the same pattern of scroll work, crafted in a cabinet style, with channel faces. The major difference between the two signs is the size. The main entrance sign is much larger than the corner sign, as well as not having a LED screen incorporated below the text. The western sign possesses more scroll work below the text instead. The neon treatments are the same, as well as the incandescent bulbs, inside of the text. The lower roofline of the property plays host to the small but noticeable signage for Caffe Trilussa. Upon a extended surface of the roof line, two separate signs for the establishment are present. The roof shape is three sided with the signage on the northwest and southwest sides of the extension. Inside a section of the entablature created with white raceways, brown channel letters, spell the text "Trilussa," stretching across the length of the surface. The brown letters sit upon a yellow surface and are filled with incandescent bulbs, which are as wide as the channel letters themselves. Spelled in bent neon tubing, the word "Caffe" is spelled in all capital letters, sitting just above the left hand side of the title text. The right of the collection is occupied by a graphically treated, two-dimensional cut-out of a palm tree. The palm tree is treated on the surface with neon tubing as well. The tubing glows green and a gold corresponding to the graphical treatments. At the northern end of the property, two signs sit outside facing north, south. The double backed, internally lit cabinets represent the advertisements for the Denny's restaurant attached to the Royale. The first is at ground level outside the main entrance of the restaurant, the six sided, green cabinet, sports a yellow plastic face with red graphic text, reading "Denny's" in script text. Around the border of the face, incandescent bulbs run in a raceway pattern, and are covered in a plastic sheath. An angular cabinet rests on top of the other cabinet, creating a shallow peak. The internally lit, white face reads "Casino Royale" in black text. The same cabinet can be seen cantilevering off of the west side of the building above its partner sign. The cabinets are of identical design except for there is no plastic sheath covering the raceway of incandescent bulbs, and the plastic face of the main section of the cabinet is treated in different graphics. The script reads "Denny's" similar red script, but with a different background.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, oscillating
Notes: The incandescent bulbs inside the channel letters of the main text oscillate, while all incandescent bulbs on the raceways along the building chase each other also. The incandescent bulbs, which surround the Denny's cabinet, also chase each other.
Sign environment: The Casino Royale stands independently on it's own even though it is surrounded on all sides by casino giants. To the north stands the Venetian, to the South stands Harrah's, and the Mirage lies west across the street. Yes, the property itself seems to be dwarfed by the immense neighbors, but the ultra bright, clear external signage and facade create a charming and bright environment that announces its presence.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: 1992
Sign - date of redesign/move: The Royale was once the Nob hill, which was closed in 1980. It was reopened in 1992 as the Casino Royale.
Sign - thematic influences: The theme seems to be tied to a European theme with the French term "Royale" in the title. The scrollwork is reminiscent of confetti or Mardi Gras theme. Such a combination of elements to suggest a theme is seen in the Harrah's property also. The party themed reminiscent sculpted cabinets are also reminiscent of the Fleur de Li. Believe it or not, the property is tied to many other larger, corporate, properties in one respect regarding its facades. The facade of a town or city, shrunken down and stylized into the facade of the property is present all over the Strip. Such properties which utilize this technique, to one degree or the next, include: New York New York, Oshea's, Treasure Island, Bellagio, The Venetian, The Luxor, The Tropicana, and the Excalibur.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Oscillating; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic
Mixed Content
Epilogue: Nevada Southern University Yearbook, 1965
Date
1965
Description
Yearbook main highlights: schools and departments; detailed lists with names and headshots of faculty, administration and students; variety of photos from activities, festivals, campus life, and buildings; campus organizations such as sororities, fraternities and councils; beauty contest winners; college sports and featured athletes; and printed advertisements of local businesses; Institution name: Nevada Southern University, Las Vegas, NV
Mixed Content
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue 65th Anniversary: commemorative book
Date
2008
Archival Collection
Description
Cherina Kleven appears on pages 124, 134, 135, 153, 159, 162, 198, 201, and 210.
Mixed Content
Mabel Hoggard: teaching materials
Date
1923 to 1977
Archival Collection
Description
Folder of materials from the Mabel Hoggard Papers (MS-00565) -- Educational work and legacy file. This folder includes teaching contracts, a Clark County School District Las Vegas Area map, teacher-student guidelines, newsletters, a conference booklet, a speech transcript, and other documents related to Mabel Hoggard's teaching career.
Mixed Content
Photographs of Slots a Fun signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
2017-09-01
Archival Collection
Description
Photos show Slots a Fun signs at night and during the day. Two surveys were conducted to gather information about this sign. One was conducted in 2002 and one was conducted in 2017. PDFs are available for both surveys. See the 2017 survey PDF for additional information that is not included in the object description.
Site address: 2880 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Mandalay Resort Group
Sign details: Slots a' Fun is located on the south side of the Circus Circus parking lot, but it is on residence now. The small building stretches west with the mouth of the building being an open mouth facing the east. The external signage is located on the elongated north face of the building, and the gaping east entrance. The north side is comprised of gold painted, crafted raceways with various text signage. The entrance is adorned with various internally lit cabinets as well as a marquee adorned pediment, located within the front face of the entrances overhang. The entrance is considerably small, sandwiched between flamboyant properties such as the Westward Ho and the Circus Circus.
Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 4 Lighting 4 The structural integrity is good as well the lighting. The surface is starting to show some signs of wear, but not very much at all.
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: The main entrance faces east and contains an interesting array of signage. The front is highlighted by two giant pillars. The are uniquely designed as inverted, tapered cones supporting the barrel vaulted cantilevered overhang. Near the top portion of the column a backlit message box cuts through the pole dividing it into two apparent sections. Bordered on all edges with gold polished raceways with incandescent bulbs, the box is animated in a chasing pattern. A top the poles on the north and south sides a polished aluminum, circular cabinet, has red, backlit plastic containing the words "Slots A' Fun" in white text. These cabinets are outlined in red neon. The edges of the apparent recess are lined with incandescent bulbs Each vault contains a long bank of large incandescent sphere's, arranged in single file. Along the front of the cantilevered overhang we have an entablature running the length of building. Gold raceways run horizontally along the top and the bottom with rows of triple incandescent bulbs. In the center of the pediment, white channel letters painted red on the inside, with incandescent bulbs filling the interior space of all of the characters. Each letter is also outlined in neon. The rest of the interior space of the facade is sculpted raised circular pattern with incandescent bulbs placed in the centers where the repeated panels connect. Under that, a polished gold aluminum banner with various assorted neon letters and advertisements is displayed. Since the "Slots A' Fun" used to be part of the Circus Circus it is closely integrated into the environment and even with the signage. Upon the northeast corner of the building a sign for the Circus Circus is perched on the top of the roofline facing north/south. Facade is sculpted raised circular pattern with incandescent bulbs placed in the centers where the repeated panels connect. Moving around to the north face of the building, an array of signage is present headed west along the wall. Along the stucco facade we have overhangs of different dimensions. On these three overhangs we have gold channels in the shape of a continuous curly cue or rope shape. These raceway channels are lined on the inside with incandescent bulbs. The first one, furthest east, is a good length, and smaller in height than the others. The pattern loops eight times along the front. One single loop of the rope shape is located on the return width of the overhang as well. No text is incorporated with this overhang. The second curling raceway is over a wider, shallower depth. The overhang, is much larger in size and supports cursive pan channel letters painted red and outlined with red neon. The letters spell "Casino" in a continuous script text. The third overhang is the largest of the trio, and serves as the main entrance for this face of the building. It is in direct proximity to the actual Circus Circus building and the blazing signage, and porte cochere. This overhang is lower to the ground than the other two but projects further out. Channel letters spell "Slots A' Fun" in the front face of the overhang located in the center. The channel letters are painted red and lined on the interiors with red neon as well. This text is block instead of script. Flanking either side of the text there is the curling channels. The face of the building rises upward from the ground and meets the bottom edge of the overhang, with a continuous radius vault. The surface of the wall is surfaced with a gold reflective material. Just below the text of the overhang is a red steel cabinet, that is internally lit. The red painted steel box has a red plastic with a red plastic face with white lettering. The block text reads "Entrance." The sides are sculpted with a radius space reduced out of the sides of the cabinet. The edges of the face are lined with incandescent bulbs. Below the cabinet a red, vinyl, awning extends out over the doors, and a pedestrian path. A small portion of the main structure still extends west with one more loop on the face of the building.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Masonry
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, oscillating
Notes: All of the raceways chase each other. This includes all of the different aspects which are lined with incandescent bulbs.
Sign environment: The Slots A Fun has the unique position of being in between the Westward Ho and the Circus Circus. It was at one time part of the Circus Circus, so it essentially blends in with its environment. The south side of the building literally resides touching the Westward Ho.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of Slots a Fun can be regarded as the heavy influence from its initial design based on the Circus Circus. In that respect it would be linked to a circus theme. The almost surrealistic swelling of the tile laden columns on the east face of the building as well as the curly cue raceways suggest a busy excitement usually associated with the extravaganza of the circus. To that end, the interaction with the Las Vegas environment would suggest the theme of a party. Such influence of the same element of theming can be seen in the umbrella shapes and chasing action of the neighboring Westward Ho. Several elements of the facade suggest different trends as well. The eastern overhang's vaulted dome is surfaced with the highly reflective polished gold aluminum. The entrance on the northern face incorporated with the surfacing with a golden reflective surface. The trend of using the reflective surface to further perpetuate the luminescence is used highly in the flanking properties. The use of the raceways is a unique function, not repeated on any other property.
Sign - artistic significance: Some unusual elements that have not been repeated can be found in this lesser-known example of sign art.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Oscillating; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Masonry; Graphics; Paint
Site address: 2880 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Mandalay Resort Group
Sign details: Slots a' Fun is located on the south side of the Circus Circus parking lot, but it is on residence now. The small building stretches west with the mouth of the building being an open mouth facing the east. The external signage is located on the elongated north face of the building, and the gaping east entrance. The north side is comprised of gold painted, crafted raceways with various text signage. The entrance is adorned with various internally lit cabinets as well as a marquee adorned pediment, located within the front face of the entrances overhang. The entrance is considerably small, sandwiched between flamboyant properties such as the Westward Ho and the Circus Circus.
Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 4 Lighting 4 The structural integrity is good as well the lighting. The surface is starting to show some signs of wear, but not very much at all.
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: The main entrance faces east and contains an interesting array of signage. The front is highlighted by two giant pillars. The are uniquely designed as inverted, tapered cones supporting the barrel vaulted cantilevered overhang. Near the top portion of the column a backlit message box cuts through the pole dividing it into two apparent sections. Bordered on all edges with gold polished raceways with incandescent bulbs, the box is animated in a chasing pattern. A top the poles on the north and south sides a polished aluminum, circular cabinet, has red, backlit plastic containing the words "Slots A' Fun" in white text. These cabinets are outlined in red neon. The edges of the apparent recess are lined with incandescent bulbs Each vault contains a long bank of large incandescent sphere's, arranged in single file. Along the front of the cantilevered overhang we have an entablature running the length of building. Gold raceways run horizontally along the top and the bottom with rows of triple incandescent bulbs. In the center of the pediment, white channel letters painted red on the inside, with incandescent bulbs filling the interior space of all of the characters. Each letter is also outlined in neon. The rest of the interior space of the facade is sculpted raised circular pattern with incandescent bulbs placed in the centers where the repeated panels connect. Under that, a polished gold aluminum banner with various assorted neon letters and advertisements is displayed. Since the "Slots A' Fun" used to be part of the Circus Circus it is closely integrated into the environment and even with the signage. Upon the northeast corner of the building a sign for the Circus Circus is perched on the top of the roofline facing north/south. Facade is sculpted raised circular pattern with incandescent bulbs placed in the centers where the repeated panels connect. Moving around to the north face of the building, an array of signage is present headed west along the wall. Along the stucco facade we have overhangs of different dimensions. On these three overhangs we have gold channels in the shape of a continuous curly cue or rope shape. These raceway channels are lined on the inside with incandescent bulbs. The first one, furthest east, is a good length, and smaller in height than the others. The pattern loops eight times along the front. One single loop of the rope shape is located on the return width of the overhang as well. No text is incorporated with this overhang. The second curling raceway is over a wider, shallower depth. The overhang, is much larger in size and supports cursive pan channel letters painted red and outlined with red neon. The letters spell "Casino" in a continuous script text. The third overhang is the largest of the trio, and serves as the main entrance for this face of the building. It is in direct proximity to the actual Circus Circus building and the blazing signage, and porte cochere. This overhang is lower to the ground than the other two but projects further out. Channel letters spell "Slots A' Fun" in the front face of the overhang located in the center. The channel letters are painted red and lined on the interiors with red neon as well. This text is block instead of script. Flanking either side of the text there is the curling channels. The face of the building rises upward from the ground and meets the bottom edge of the overhang, with a continuous radius vault. The surface of the wall is surfaced with a gold reflective material. Just below the text of the overhang is a red steel cabinet, that is internally lit. The red painted steel box has a red plastic with a red plastic face with white lettering. The block text reads "Entrance." The sides are sculpted with a radius space reduced out of the sides of the cabinet. The edges of the face are lined with incandescent bulbs. Below the cabinet a red, vinyl, awning extends out over the doors, and a pedestrian path. A small portion of the main structure still extends west with one more loop on the face of the building.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Masonry
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, oscillating
Notes: All of the raceways chase each other. This includes all of the different aspects which are lined with incandescent bulbs.
Sign environment: The Slots A Fun has the unique position of being in between the Westward Ho and the Circus Circus. It was at one time part of the Circus Circus, so it essentially blends in with its environment. The south side of the building literally resides touching the Westward Ho.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of Slots a Fun can be regarded as the heavy influence from its initial design based on the Circus Circus. In that respect it would be linked to a circus theme. The almost surrealistic swelling of the tile laden columns on the east face of the building as well as the curly cue raceways suggest a busy excitement usually associated with the extravaganza of the circus. To that end, the interaction with the Las Vegas environment would suggest the theme of a party. Such influence of the same element of theming can be seen in the umbrella shapes and chasing action of the neighboring Westward Ho. Several elements of the facade suggest different trends as well. The eastern overhang's vaulted dome is surfaced with the highly reflective polished gold aluminum. The entrance on the northern face incorporated with the surfacing with a golden reflective surface. The trend of using the reflective surface to further perpetuate the luminescence is used highly in the flanking properties. The use of the raceways is a unique function, not repeated on any other property.
Sign - artistic significance: Some unusual elements that have not been repeated can be found in this lesser-known example of sign art.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Oscillating; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Masonry; Graphics; Paint
Mixed Content
Photographs of Rummel Motel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), February 23, 2017
Date
2017-02-23
2017-09-18
Archival Collection
Description
The Rummel Motel sits north of The Strip at 1809 Las Vegas Boulevard South. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 1809 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Yeh Chia-Hong
Sign details: The motel was founded by Marvin Rummel in 1945 (VintageLasVegas, n.d.), although the Clark County Assessor lists the original construction year as 1951 (Assessor, n.d.). Undated vintage postcards, one describing the motel as "new" (Rummel Motel, 1809 So. 5th St. U.S. 91 - L.A. Highway Las Vegas, Nevada original vintage postcard, n.d.) show that a two-story building was later added to the back of the motor court (VintageLasVegas). The addition may explain the discrepancy in construction dates. The Roles family purchased the property in 1958 (VintageLasVegas; Noted bowler, hotel owner dies, 2002). Ralph Roles also operated the Del Mar Motel (the Del Mar's sign, designed by Betty Willis, is now at the Neon Museum). A vintage postcard from 1958 shows that motel was endorsed by the Automobile Association of America and another automobile club (Garofalo, 2011). The motel was severely damaged by fire on April 30 2017 (VintageLasVegas; Hershkovitz, 2017) and is currently closed.
Sign condition: The condition is 2, fair. The lower portion of the cabinet is dented and access panels are damaged or missing. The upper portions of the cabinet display numerous metal patches. The plastic on the reader board has holes. The remaining neon tubing appears to be intact. All incandescent light bulbs are missing.
Sign form: Pylon sign
Sign-specific description: The sign is supported by a rectangular blue metal pylon. A blue metal-framed reader board and orange metal upper cabinet are cantilevered out from the pylon toward the street. In the center of the upper cabinet is an amoeba-shaped area which is painted black and outlined by white skeleton neon. Inside the black amoeba are individual cursive letters which spell out "Rummel Motel" in white paint traced by white skeleton neon. Atop the upper cabinet is a smaller orange metal cabinet which is wing-shaped. Above the wing is a blue metal circle. Inside the channel of the circle are six concentric circles of empty light sockets. On the outside of the circle is a semi-circular metal frame which holds five white skeleton neon five-pointed stars.
Sign - type of display: Neon, incandescent and reader board
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Incandescent light bulbs and a reader board
Sign environment: This is located on Las Vegas Boulevard South just north of the Las Vegas Strip
Sign - date of installation: The current sign dates back to at least 1958, but probably is not the original motel sign. A vintage postcard shows that before the two-story addition, the motel had a simple double pole sign with the name "Rummel Motel" enclosed by an open oval (Rummel Motel, 1809 So. 5th St. U.S. 91 - L.A. Highway Las Vegas, Nevada original vintage postcard, n.d.). The colors, lettering style and oval shape of the former sign appear to have inspired the design of the sign seen in a postcard from 1958 (Garofalo, 2011). The latter sign, with heavy modification, is the sign seen on the property today. The sign as currently configured is recognizable in a postcard from the late 1950's or early 1960's (Las Vegas motels then and now, n.d.).
Sign - date of redesign/move: The circa 1958 sign (Garofalo, 2011) was supported by double poles. The pole on the street side of the sign can still be seen on the upper cabinet, but it no longer reaches to the ground. The pole on the motel side of the sign ran from the ground toward the center of the sign, and then doglegged inward toward the motel to support the sign from the side. That pole appears to be the same one now enclosed by the pylon. The shadow of the pole can be seen inside the current reader board, which was a later addition attached below the circa 1958 sign. Automobile club shields at the bottom of the circa 1958 sign have been removed. A black metal directional arrow pointing toward the motel from the street side of the sign has also been removed. A circular white or light yellow metal cabinet with concentric rows of incandescent lightbulbs in the interior and a semi-circle of neon stars on the exterior has been moved from the top of the former directional arrow to the top of the wing-shaped cabinet. The circa 1958 wing-shaped cabinet was flush with the street side of the sign and contained skeleton neon which advertised, "HEATED POOL". The current wing-shaped cabinet contains no neon and has been pushed to the center of the sign. The lower cabinet of the circa 1958 sign was painted orange and black, which is now all orange. The amoeba shape was painted blue and is now black. Below the amoeba were skeleton neon letters which spelled out, "NO VACANCY" and "24 HOUR ROOM SERVICE". The neon is now gone. A small black metal cabinet attached at the bottom of the sign contained what appear to be either painted or skeleton neon letters which state, "COOLED BY REFRIGERATION". That portion of the sign is now gone.
Sign - thematic influences: This sign showcases 1950's and 1960's Googie trends. This also conveys earlier motor court designs in the building and the sign.
Survey - research locations: Clark County Assessor, Parcel No. 162-03-310-007, Retrieved from http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/assessor/Pages/PropertyRecords.aspx?H=redrock&P=assrrealprop/pcl.aspx Garofalo, M. (2011 November 2). Still standing-Rummel Motel. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/vintageroadtrip/6304823598/ Hershkovitz, R. (2017 April 30). Fire damages vacant downtown Las Vegas motel. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/fire-damages-vacant-downtown-las-vegas-motel/ Las Vegas motels-Then and now. (n.d.). Rummel Motel. Retrieved from http://stefanidrivesvegas.com/8.html Noted bowler, motel owner Roles dies. (2002 July 30). Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved from https://lasvegassun.com/news/2002/jul/30/noted-bowler-motel-owner-roles-dies/ RoadsideArchitecture. (n.d.) The Rummel Motel. Retrieved from http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas3.html Rummel Motel, 1809 So. 5th St. U.S. 91 - L.A. Highway Las Vegas, Nevada original vintage postcard. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Rummel-Motel-1809-So-U-S/dp/B00P9LEQCS VintageLasVegas. (n.d.). Rummel Motel. Retrieved from http://vintagelasvegas.com/post/160953547509/rummel-motel-1809-s-las-vegas-blvd-built-by
Surveyor: Mitchell Cohen
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-18
Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Reader board; Plastic; Steel
Site address: 1809 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Yeh Chia-Hong
Sign details: The motel was founded by Marvin Rummel in 1945 (VintageLasVegas, n.d.), although the Clark County Assessor lists the original construction year as 1951 (Assessor, n.d.). Undated vintage postcards, one describing the motel as "new" (Rummel Motel, 1809 So. 5th St. U.S. 91 - L.A. Highway Las Vegas, Nevada original vintage postcard, n.d.) show that a two-story building was later added to the back of the motor court (VintageLasVegas). The addition may explain the discrepancy in construction dates. The Roles family purchased the property in 1958 (VintageLasVegas; Noted bowler, hotel owner dies, 2002). Ralph Roles also operated the Del Mar Motel (the Del Mar's sign, designed by Betty Willis, is now at the Neon Museum). A vintage postcard from 1958 shows that motel was endorsed by the Automobile Association of America and another automobile club (Garofalo, 2011). The motel was severely damaged by fire on April 30 2017 (VintageLasVegas; Hershkovitz, 2017) and is currently closed.
Sign condition: The condition is 2, fair. The lower portion of the cabinet is dented and access panels are damaged or missing. The upper portions of the cabinet display numerous metal patches. The plastic on the reader board has holes. The remaining neon tubing appears to be intact. All incandescent light bulbs are missing.
Sign form: Pylon sign
Sign-specific description: The sign is supported by a rectangular blue metal pylon. A blue metal-framed reader board and orange metal upper cabinet are cantilevered out from the pylon toward the street. In the center of the upper cabinet is an amoeba-shaped area which is painted black and outlined by white skeleton neon. Inside the black amoeba are individual cursive letters which spell out "Rummel Motel" in white paint traced by white skeleton neon. Atop the upper cabinet is a smaller orange metal cabinet which is wing-shaped. Above the wing is a blue metal circle. Inside the channel of the circle are six concentric circles of empty light sockets. On the outside of the circle is a semi-circular metal frame which holds five white skeleton neon five-pointed stars.
Sign - type of display: Neon, incandescent and reader board
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Incandescent light bulbs and a reader board
Sign environment: This is located on Las Vegas Boulevard South just north of the Las Vegas Strip
Sign - date of installation: The current sign dates back to at least 1958, but probably is not the original motel sign. A vintage postcard shows that before the two-story addition, the motel had a simple double pole sign with the name "Rummel Motel" enclosed by an open oval (Rummel Motel, 1809 So. 5th St. U.S. 91 - L.A. Highway Las Vegas, Nevada original vintage postcard, n.d.). The colors, lettering style and oval shape of the former sign appear to have inspired the design of the sign seen in a postcard from 1958 (Garofalo, 2011). The latter sign, with heavy modification, is the sign seen on the property today. The sign as currently configured is recognizable in a postcard from the late 1950's or early 1960's (Las Vegas motels then and now, n.d.).
Sign - date of redesign/move: The circa 1958 sign (Garofalo, 2011) was supported by double poles. The pole on the street side of the sign can still be seen on the upper cabinet, but it no longer reaches to the ground. The pole on the motel side of the sign ran from the ground toward the center of the sign, and then doglegged inward toward the motel to support the sign from the side. That pole appears to be the same one now enclosed by the pylon. The shadow of the pole can be seen inside the current reader board, which was a later addition attached below the circa 1958 sign. Automobile club shields at the bottom of the circa 1958 sign have been removed. A black metal directional arrow pointing toward the motel from the street side of the sign has also been removed. A circular white or light yellow metal cabinet with concentric rows of incandescent lightbulbs in the interior and a semi-circle of neon stars on the exterior has been moved from the top of the former directional arrow to the top of the wing-shaped cabinet. The circa 1958 wing-shaped cabinet was flush with the street side of the sign and contained skeleton neon which advertised, "HEATED POOL". The current wing-shaped cabinet contains no neon and has been pushed to the center of the sign. The lower cabinet of the circa 1958 sign was painted orange and black, which is now all orange. The amoeba shape was painted blue and is now black. Below the amoeba were skeleton neon letters which spelled out, "NO VACANCY" and "24 HOUR ROOM SERVICE". The neon is now gone. A small black metal cabinet attached at the bottom of the sign contained what appear to be either painted or skeleton neon letters which state, "COOLED BY REFRIGERATION". That portion of the sign is now gone.
Sign - thematic influences: This sign showcases 1950's and 1960's Googie trends. This also conveys earlier motor court designs in the building and the sign.
Survey - research locations: Clark County Assessor, Parcel No. 162-03-310-007, Retrieved from http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/assessor/Pages/PropertyRecords.aspx?H=redrock&P=assrrealprop/pcl.aspx Garofalo, M. (2011 November 2). Still standing-Rummel Motel. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/vintageroadtrip/6304823598/ Hershkovitz, R. (2017 April 30). Fire damages vacant downtown Las Vegas motel. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/fire-damages-vacant-downtown-las-vegas-motel/ Las Vegas motels-Then and now. (n.d.). Rummel Motel. Retrieved from http://stefanidrivesvegas.com/8.html Noted bowler, motel owner Roles dies. (2002 July 30). Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved from https://lasvegassun.com/news/2002/jul/30/noted-bowler-motel-owner-roles-dies/ RoadsideArchitecture. (n.d.) The Rummel Motel. Retrieved from http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas3.html Rummel Motel, 1809 So. 5th St. U.S. 91 - L.A. Highway Las Vegas, Nevada original vintage postcard. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Rummel-Motel-1809-So-U-S/dp/B00P9LEQCS VintageLasVegas. (n.d.). Rummel Motel. Retrieved from http://vintagelasvegas.com/post/160953547509/rummel-motel-1809-s-las-vegas-blvd-built-by
Surveyor: Mitchell Cohen
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-18
Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Reader board; Plastic; Steel
Mixed Content