A Little White Chapel sits at 1301 South Las Vegas Boulevard. The Stratosphere Tower can be seen in the background. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 1301 S Las Vegas Blvd Sign owner: Charlotte Richards Sign details: Charlotte Richards came to Las Vegas at the age of 17, for her husband had abandoned her with 3 kids. Took a job at The Little church of the West. She married the man that helped her and that gave her the job there. After her second husband died she moved on and bought A Little White Wedding Chapel in 1967. A little White Wedding Chapel had been opened since 1951. Sign condition: 4 - Still in relatively good condition. Sign form: Pylon Sign-specific description: This pylon sign is mainly white with splashes of red schemes particularly with the red hearts that are outlined in neon. The Two red hearts are represented underneath the name of the property in channeled rusty gold letters. The hearts have a gold ribbon rendering surrounding them also outlined in skeletal neon. The square design at the top of the sign resembling a chapel roof. Underneath the main portion of the sign is a plastic backlit sign that also has a heart on it. Sign - type of display: Neon and plastic backlit sign Sign - media: Steel and plastic. Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic backlit portion Sign environment: Close to downtown, Next to Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel and two hostels. Sign manufacturer: YESCO , confirmed by owner Charlotte Richards Sign - date of installation: 1960 Sign - thematic influences: The hearts are a theme seen in many other chapel signs across the valley. Survey - research locations: A Little white Wedding Chapel's website. Las Vegas Review Journal articles. Las Vegas Sun articles. Youtube Podcast, Downtown Podcast, Channel: Vegas Talk, A Little White Wedding Chapel and representatives. Survey - research notes: YESCO maintains sign which was confirmed by Charlotte Richards the owner. Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond Survey - date completed: 2017-08-11 Sign keywords: Neon; Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Roadside; Pole sign; Back to back
Information about the Barker Motel sign that sits at 2600 N Las Vegas Blvd. Site address: 2600 N Las Vegas Blvd Sign owner: Barker LLC Sign details: 0.21 acre lot constructed in 1954. Property is closed. Sign condition: 2- the sign is faded and neon has fallen off, as well as the majority of their original sign was taken down or weathered away Sign form: Directional sign on top of building Sign-specific description: The property has a tower which has a sign on top of it that is a peach colored arrow that has dark brown block lettering stating "MOTEL" that points towards the entrance of the parking lot of the motel. This end of the arrow has a steel support that goes to the first story of the building. This portion looks like it used to have skeletal neon but has fallen off. Near the road where this motel is located it looks as though there was once a sign because there is remnants of what the base of the sign was but no graphics on it. Sign - type of display: Neon Sign - media: Steel Sign environment: Located in North Las Vegas, close to Jerry's Nugget Casino Sign - date of redesign/move: Appears there are remnants of their original sign on the roadside, but the letters has been removed. It has been this way since at least 2010. Sign - thematic influences: The arrow stating Motel is a 1950's/60's motel trend within the car consumer era and era of traveling to draw attention for people that are driving by. Survey - research locations: Assessor's website Survey - research notes: http://stefanidrivesvegas.com/12.html Stefani drives Vegas has images of before/after of this motel with an image that they date circa 1960 Surveyor: Emily Fellmer Survey - date completed: 2017-09-08 Sign keywords: Neon; Steel; Directional; Paint
Information about the West Wind Drive-In sign that sits at 4150 W Carey Ave. Site address: 4150 W Carey Ave Sign owner: West Wind Drive-In and Public Markets Sign details: The first West Wind theater opened 1952 in California. This location was constructed in 1967. West Wind Drive-Ins have always been family owned and remain as the largest Drive-In chain in the world. They have locations in California, Nevada and Arizona. Sign condition: 5- the sign is kept up well Sign form: Arch ways and a pylon Sign-specific description: The pylon sign is mainly a reader board with a googie style star at the top of the pylon. Near the bottom of the sign is an arrow that has the word "Theater" in channeled neon letters. Driving into the theater there are lighted archways with reader boards joining the arches. Sign - type of display: Neon and back lit sign Sign - media: Steel and Plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Reader board Sign environment: This location is in North Las Vegas next to the North Las Vegas Airport. Though this location is also near Texas Station and Fiesta Rancho. Sign - thematic influences: The sign showcases Googie themes with the star, the arrow and archways. With this style it stays true to the classic Drive-In 50's/60's theme and feel. Survey - research locations: West Wind Website https://www.westwinddi.com/locations/las-vegas , Assessor's Office Survey - research notes: The Westwind website gives a good history of the Drive-In and history of their company. https://www.westwinddi.com/about-us Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond Survey - date completed: 2017-08-27 Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Reader board
Dr. Lonnie D. Spight grew up in northern Colorado, earned his bachelor's degree at Colorado State University, and his PhD at University of Nevada Reno. His interest in astronomy dates from his early years on the farm in Colorado, star-gazing in the fields at night. Before coming to UNLV, Lonnie worked for the Department of Defense on scattering cross sections and explosions. Working between Los Alamos and the Test Site, he was often in Las Vegas and had met most of the physicists at the university. He was invited midterm to take over a physics class for a faculty member who had fallen ill, and was offered a job the following fall of 1970. In the seventies when Dr. Spight arrived, the physics department was located in trailers, and the university campus was mostly desert. Lonnie served as chair of the department on several occasions, and was responsible for insisting that faculty members get involved in research, no matter how tight the budget. He worked on solar energy and far-field microwave analysis, and helped set up safety standards for the new laser technology. One of Dr. Spight's interests outside of physics is a love for classical music. He was a volunteer "Deejay" for 12 years with KNPR once it got started in 1980. Meanwhile, after 37 years with UNLV Lonnie retains his enthusiasm and love for teaching. Today he teaches quantum mechanics and hopes that one day he will be able to teach a particle physics course which ties together cosmology, the beginning of the universe, fundamental cutting edge physics, quarks, gluon plasmas, and more. He has the course materials ready to go and is looking forward to many more years at UNLV.
Daytime and nighttime views of the Rosewood Grille signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 3335 S Las Vegas Blvd Sign owner: Alan and Kevin LeWinter Sign details: The Rosewood Grill is between the Venetian Hotel-Casino and the Tam O'Shanter Motel on the east side of Las Vegas Blvd The facade of the building is a plain, if not unassuming white stucco structure, with a driveway running along the north side of the building. Directly in front of the buildings western wall, along the strip, a tall pylon faces north /south Sign condition: Structure 3 Surface 3 Lighting 3 Sign form: Pylon Sign-specific description: The pylon sign, which faces north/south, is the only signage notifying the pedestrian traffic of the establishment within. It is a tall vertical advertisement, mostly comprised of a vertical, rectangular shaped, internally lit cabinet, with rounded edges. The face of the sign is a plastic, graphically treated photo image of a man in a tuxedo holding up a giant lobster. Sign - type of display: Incandescent; Backlit Sign - media: Steel; Plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics Sign animation: Chasing, flashing Notes: The raceway, which runs the circumference of the faces of the sign, contains small strobes placed at random places, and flashing at random patterns. Sign environment: The sign for the establishment is the only marker that anything is operational in the dimly lit building. Not that the building looks non operational, but the majority of the building is very unassuming, mostly being denoted by the large drive and entrance. It is located just south of the Tam O'Shanter motel, among the awkward transition of the strip, that is Spring Mountain Rd. The Vagabond Inn and the Treasure Island square off the end of the block before the desolate expanse of what used to be the Desert Inn, and the transforming Fashion Show Mall, sprawl out across the north side of the road. The Rosewood Grill is part of the side of the street that trails off in size, but not character as the giant Venetian slows its progress. Sign - date of redesign/move: Was the Anoje Continental Restaurant, next to the Kit Carson Motel, but was changed to the Rosewood Grill. Sign - thematic influences: Not much of a theme, outside of advertising for a big lobster dinner. Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday Survey - date completed: 2002 Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Pylon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Graphics
Daytime views of the Somerset Shopping Center sign on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 252 Convention Center Dr Sign form: Pylon Sign-specific description: The sign is designed out of a blue pole, telescoping upward, spearing three double backed cabinets stacked on top of each other in close proximity. Two small wings flagpole of the north and south edges of the pole, which houses graphics advertisement for the businesses in the shopping center. The top sign is an oval cabinet, painted a light blue color on the surface and yellow on the width. The text, "Somerset" is painted white all capital letters, and outlined in black. The text that occupies the cabinet takes up most of the available space and is overlaid with neon tubing. The middle cabinet is the largest of the three. It is a rectangular shape with concave sides. The sides look as if a low sweeping cut has been taken out of the body, starting from edge to edge. The result is a symmetrically morphed geometric shape. "Shopping" is spelled in all capital channel letters, painted white on the interiors, and lined on the interiors with neon tubing. The surface is painted a rusted orange with the width painted yellow. The width of the cabinet is lined with a single row of incandescent bulbs on opposite edges. The bottom and third cabinet is identical to the oval shape of the top cabinet. The difference is that the surface of the cabinet is painted the same rusted orange color as the middle cabinet, and yellow on the width. The three cabinets are encircled with a giant circular, yellow, raceway, reaching up in the sky arching up over the top and completely encompassing the cabinets facing east/west. Blue rods radiate outward, repeating around the edge of the raceway at various lengths. They penetrate the surface of the raceway, protruding on both sides. They start at the top one vertical rod pointing directly vertical into the sky from the center pole. They then alternate, short then long, attached to various strategic points on the three central cabinet, creating a symmetrical pattern. The rods are lined on two edges with neon tubing, which animate in a chasing pattern. Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit Sign - media: Steel; Plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint Sign animation: Chasing, flashing, oscillating Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday Survey - date completed: 2002 Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Oscillating; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Graphics; Paint
The Palace Station Hotel and Casino sign sits at 2411 West Sahara Avenue. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 2411 W Sahara Ave Sign owner: Palace Station Sign details: Founded by Frank Fertitta III, was originally Bingo Palace in 1976 but was changed to Palace Station Sign condition: 4 - some broken lights on the sign but for the most part seems in great condition. Owners unsure if keeping the sign or replacing it with a new one during 2017 remodel of property Sign form: back to back pylon Sign-specific description: Double sided pylon road side sign, word "PALACE STATION HOTEL CASINO" In red encasement stuck to the front of a minimalistic image of a train, the word "BINGO" underneath the train front. Skeleton Neon is used to accentuate the features of the train and the lettering on the sign. Sign - type of display: Neon and incandescent Sign - media: Steel, Plastic Sign animation: Chasers around "PALACE STATION HOTEL CASINO" and "BINGO" boxes and the neon in the boxes turn off then fill in from both sides until full again Sign environment: Property is near the I-15, by local businesses and some residential Sign - date of installation: c. 1983 Sign - thematic influences: Seeking to avoid the western theme popular among casinos at the time, Fertitta chose trains. Worried that the name Bingo Palace didn't highlight the full-range of gaming and amenities on offer at the expanded casino, Fertitta held an open contest to rename the casino later that year. More than 26,000 entries were received over three weeks. Las Vegas resident Claire Jarvis won as Palace Station touched on the new train theme while keeping part of the original name. - Las Vegas Review Journal Sign - artistic significance: Owner Frank Ferttitta Jr held a contest for the casinos new theme and the "train station" theme was the favorite out of the entries. Survey - research locations: UNLV Special Collections, Las Vegas Sun, YESCO, Review Journal Surveyor: Danny Jacobs Survey - date completed: 2017-09-10 Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Chasing; Back to back; Roadside; Video screen; Reader board
The Tod Motor Motel sign sits at 1508 South Las Vegas Boulevard. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 1508 S Las Vegas Blvd Sign owner: Ron and Carol Tadmor; Herb Sider Sign details: Opened in 1962, the Tod Motor Motel was an exciting contribution to Las Vegas Boulevard. However, hard financial times and changing environments altered the motel scene after several years of being open. After a period of crime, new owners renovated the hotel from top to bottom: new facade, carpet, and furnishings. In 2005 ownership changed again and the new owners sought to expand the property. The neighboring properties, however, refused to sell and the owner of Tod tried to get approval to sell units as condos. The Tod Motor Motel has since closed and entrance is boarded up. Sign condition: About 4-5, appears to have relatively low damage, if any Sign form: Street pylon and porte cochere near front office Sign-specific description: Green V-shape with "Tod motor Motel" in orange block letters overlaid, metal pole protruding atop "o" in "Tod" with red, outline sphere attached. Sign - type of display: Neon Sign - media: Steel Sign - non-neon treatments: Blue, metal lettering placed on side and front of hotel, spells out "Tod Motor Motel," large painted flowers on side and front near blue lettering; pink, diamond-shaped railing along exterior Sign environment: On the north end of the strip near the base of the Stratosphere, neighboring Dino's Lounge. Sign - date of installation: 1962 Sign - date of redesign/move: Remodeled after new ownership, sometime in the mid-2000's. Sign - thematic influences: Design and patterns similar to South Beach (Miami) hotels, tropical element. Also this sign has remnants of the 50's/60's motorist theme. Survey - research locations: Assessor's page, Las Vegas Sun article https://lasvegassun.com/news/2007/mar/30/new-life-for-tod/ , Las Vegas Weekly video https://lasvegasweekly.com/photos/galleries/2008/may/22/tod-motor-motel/#/0 Surveyor: Carlyle Constantino Survey - date completed: 2017-07-13 Sign keywords: Neon; Steel; Pole sign; Incandescent; Back to back; Backlit; Cantilever construction; Directional