Information about the Vegas Trailer Supply sign that sits at 3076 Fremont St. Site address: 3076 Fremont St Sign details: There is no information regarding the history of this property. According to their business page on Yelp, the business has closed. Sign condition: 4, the sign is in good condition though it is not confirmed it the sign is still in working condition. Sign form: Roadside pole sign Sign-specific description: This sign is unique because there are two different signs featured for this property. One of the signs is supported by a large white pole. The top portion of this sign is a faded blue oval with "Vegas" painted on it in white script. Under this is a plastic, back lit sign with the word "TRAILER" in a white, western-style text against a red background. Under this is another sign that reads "SUPPLY" in the same style as the "TRAILER" sign. Beneath this is another back lit plastic sign that has an interesting graphic with the words "custom truck" filling it in red text and the "T" in "custom" is also the "T" in "truck." Under "custom truck" are the words "truck accessories" written in an artful cursive text and the words "and More!" printed in a plain sans serif text. The other sign for this property stands under this one and has five different poles supporting it. It also is placed between a blue pole and the white pole that holds up the other sign. This sign is very stylistic. This includes large red arrow that is outlined with red neon tubes and is sandwiched between a blue, rectangular sign that reads "VEGAS" along the side of it in bold white letters and "TRAILER SUPPLY "in open cabinet yellow letters in the center. The "Vegas" letters are outlined with neon tubes that glow light blue when lit up. Under this is a plastic, back lit rectangular sign that reads "PROPANE" in bold blue text against a blue background. Sign - type of display: Neon and Plastic back lit sign Sign - media: Steel and Plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic back lit portion Sign environment: This property was on East Fremont Street in an area that was filled with other business that would service or sell cars. Sign - thematic influences: These signs combined have many different styles going on in them. The first sign has a western style of font possibly evoking a western theme that has been popular throughout many properties in Las Vegas as a throwback to our past as a small western town. The other sign, that is smaller in comparison to the other, is reminiscent of the Googie style signs that were prevalent in the 1950's because of the stylistic red arrow that is featured on it. Sign - artistic significance: There are so many styles featured in these signs combined. This sign is an excellent study in how signs for the same property can include a mixed variety of design styles. Survey - research locations: Yelp website https://www.yelp.com/biz/vegas-trailer-supply-las-vegas , Classic Las Vegas website http://classiclasvegas.squarespace.com/classic-las-vegas-blog/2015/5/25/neon.html , Las Vegas 360 website http://www.lasvegas360.com/1787/daily-neon-vegas-trailer-supply-neon-sign/ Survey - research notes: It was very difficult to find information regarding the history of this property. Surveyor: Lauren Vaccaro Survey - date completed: 2017-09-10 Sign keywords: Neon; Plastic; Steel; Backlit; Roadside; Pole sign
Information about the Wee Kirk o' the Heather sign that sits at 231 S Las Vegas Blvd.
Site address: 231 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Wee Kirk Property Group LLC
Sign details: Wee Kirk O' the Heather is one of the oldest standing Wedding Chapels to still remain in operation to this day. The building was originally constructed in 1925. Two wedding chapels Wee Kirk O' the Heather and the Hitching Post both opened in 1940 across the street from each other though the Hitching Post has been torn down. Wee Kirk O' the Heather is Scottish themed where the name translates to "Little Chapel of the Lucky Flowers." Since the chapel is considered as one of the oldest wedding chapels here in Vegas, there are quite a few wedding renewals or generational marriages. The site has been featured in multiple Las Vegas films; such as "Fools Rush In, "Intolerable Cruelty," and many more.
Sign condition: 4.5 - The sign is well maintained, no damage is seen.
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The current sign is circa mid-2000s. It is mainly a white plastic backlit sign that states "Wee Kirk o the Heather" in a violet swirled font. There is a yellow reader board underneath this. Below the reader board is a small 'Open" sign that contain incandescent light bulbs. Above the logo is a neon rendering of a flower in skeletal neon. The original sign and establishments color scheme was dark blue, mustard yellow and pure white. The protruding cantilever construction is a beautiful decorative white leaf and floral bouquet with a mustard yellow vase. On the bottom is a dark blue faux wood, zig zagged at both ends of the structure and features traditional Gothic font in white. Connected to the faux wood structure is the hanging sign held by two poles with a sign that says "Wedding Chapel; Everything Arranged."
Sign - type of display: Neon, incandescent light bulbs and plastic back lit portion.
Sign - media: Steel and Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Reader board and plastic back lit portion
Sign environment: This location is on Las Vegas Blvd. South and Bridger Ave. This is just a few blocks south of Fremont Street. The property is surrounded by the Villa Inn Hotel-Motel and Lloyd D George Courthouse.
Sign - date of installation: Circa Early-2000's
Sign - date of redesign/move: Transition form older sign to current sign in Early-2000's
Sign - thematic influences: The sign beckons to the current trend of minimal square clean designs that is simple, white, purple and yellow with a trim of leaf and floral design at the top rendered in Neon. The flower design is symbolic to the meaning of "Wee Kirk o the Heather" translation into Wedding chapel of Lucky Flowers.
Sign - artistic significance: The theme of both the sign and architectural building is of a small cottage themed chapel with a minimalist sign. The usage of yellow and purple added to the kitsch theme with the added purple wood trimming to the building. The coloring of the building is similar to the colors in their sign.
Survey - research locations: Wee Kirk O the Heather website https://www.weekirk.com/ , UNLV archives, and Vintage Vegas http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/wee+kirk+of+the+heather , viewing the sign in person, and speaking to a representative on their website.
Surveyor: Gisselle Tipp
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-13
Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Reader board
The Trader Bills gift shop-turned-motorcycle shop sits at 328 Fremont Street inside the Fremont Street Experience. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site address: 328 Fremont St
Sign owner: Marshall Family, LP
Sign details: The current building was constructed in 1943 (Assessor). Trader Bill's was a Western style leather and gift shop (RoadsideArch.com). The business has been located downtown at least since the 1930's or 1940's (UNLV digital photo collection) but possibly longer (Shemeligian, 1997). The store moved to its present location by the 1950's (RoadsideArch.com). It later became the Jewelry Outpost and Las Vegas Harley-Davidson (Shemeligian).
Sign condition: Condition 3-4. Cabinet and lights are in good condition. The paint on the street side of the sign is extremely faded.
Sign form: Blade
Sign-specific description: The metal cabinet is shaped like an upside down "L" which points toward the building. The cabinet is painted red. On the side of the sign facing Las Vegas Boulevard the paint has faded almost completely to reveal the earlier blue paint. An arrow-shaped metal cabinet runs along the Fremont Street side of the sign. The sides of the arrow are painted yellow. Three rows of yellow incandescent light bulbs cover the shaft of the arrow and nine rows cover the feathers and head. "Trader" is spelled out in yellow san serif channel letters which run horizontally across the top of the sign. The interiors of the letters are outlined in white neon tubing. "BILLS" (no apostrophe) runs vertically down the sign in the same channel lettering. Rungs run along the spine of the sign and what appears to be a ladder is located under "Trader" at the top of the sign. A plaque on the back of the arrowhead near the last "S" in "BILLS" has a YESCO logo and states "THIS SIGN IS THE PROPERTY OF THE YOUNG ELECTRIC SIGN COMPANY-{illegible] 876-8080
Sign - type of display: Neon and incandescent
Sign - media: Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Incandescent
Sign environment: This location is in the Fremont Street Experience on the corner of Fremont street and Fourth Street. It is across the street from Neonopolis and surrounded by other gift shops.
Sign manufacturer: It has the YESCO logo and states that it is the property of YESCO though it is not confirmed if they manufactured it.
Sign - date of installation: Circa 1960's
Sign - date of redesign/move: The sign is probably from the 1960's (Roadside Architecture). A photograph circa 1960 shows the sign painted dark blue with yellow letters (Classic Las Vegas, n.d.). A photograph from 1991 shows the color scheme unchanged (Classic Las Vegas). The sign was painted its current red color by 2006 (RoadsideArch.com).
Sign - thematic influences: The building is Western style brick and weeping mortar.
Survey - research locations: Clark County Assessor Classic Las Vegas. (n.d.). A brief history of Fremont Street, North side of the street, Third to Fourth. Retrieved from http://classiclasvegas.squarespace.com/downtown-history/2007/5/3/a-brief-history-of-fremont-street-cont.html RoadsideArcitecture. Las vegas Signs, Trader Bill's. Retrieved from http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas3.html Shemeligian, B. (1997 June 19). Landmark downtown shop changes focus. Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved from https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/jun/09/landmark-downtown-shop-changes-focus/ UNLV Digital Collections. (n.d.). Film transparency showing Trader Bill's souvenir shop in Las Vegas, circa 1930s-1940s. Retrieved from http://n2t.net/ark:/62930/d1nk2c
Surveyor: Mitchell Cohen
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-14
Sign keywords: Blade; Neon; Incandescent; Steel
The sign for The Griffin sits at 511 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 511 Fremont St Sign owner: Aaron Chepenik and Jonathan Hensleigh Sign details: Opened in February of 2007 as a medieval British pub/ tavern style bar. This location brought on a wave of revitalization of the East Fremont District especially since many new bars/restaurants started to open in this area after this bar did. Sign condition: 5- still looks relatively new Sign form: Blade and overlay neon on building Sign-specific description: Placed above the entrance their brick building the letters The Griffin Cocktails is painted with white block letters outlined with black paint is painted on the building itself. These letters have skeletal neon surrounding the letters. The Griffin letters are yellow tubes and do illuminate green at night, the word cocktails lights up white. To the left of the entrance but still on the building is a green painted griffin drinking a painted white martini ( also all outlined with black paint) The neon tubing outlining the griffin is a yellow tubing but glows green at night ( possibly argon inserted to make it glow green). The Blade is placed a little left of the entrance and hangs off of the building by two blue steel beams, but in between the beams is a beautiful swirl design. At the top of the Blade there is a green griffin sipping a martini (same design as the one painted on the building). At the base of the griffin is white THE letters painted with skeletal neon. Then below is the blue portion of the blade spelling out GRIFFIN in a Britannic looking font in white channeled letters which do illuminate white at night. This part of the blade is outlined in neon ,possibly argon, since it does illuminate blue at night. On the side of the blade ( if you're looking from the road) there are about 14 red curved neon tubes lining the sign. Sign - type of display: Neon Sign - media: Steel and Brick Wall Sign - non-neon treatments: Using the brick wall as a portion of the sign is a design not seen often in Vegas. Sign animation: Oscillation of red neon tubes on the side of the sign. Sign environment: Located in the Fremont East District in between Las Vegas Blvd. and 6th St. This location has The Vault to the East of it and The Smashed Pig Gastropub to the west. It is across the street from the Park and Evil Pie. In the middle of the street right in front of the Griffin Bar is the Martini Glass sign. Sign manufacturer: YESCO Sign designer: Owners Aaron Chepenik and Jonathan Hensleigh-Aaron stated that the blade portion of the sign was inspired by the old Boulder Club Blade sign Sign - date of installation: Slightly before they opened so late 2006/early 2007 Sign - thematic influences: Griffin shows that it has a medieval and kind of fantasy kind of feel since its interior does have that cool medieval tavern vibe to it, especially with their fireplaces. Using their brick wall as a part of the sign is a cool innovative way to use their space and stay true to their theme. Sign - artistic significance: Medieval theme. The blade is a prominent theme in the 50s/60s, though their blade sign was inspired by the Boulder Club (opened 1931-1960) blade. Survey - research locations: Acessors page, outreach to owner Aaron Chepenik Survey - research notes: Possible use of argon within their yellow painted tubes, similar to the Yucca Motel signs leaves. Survey - other remarks: The Blade does look very similar to the Boulder Club blade, so its awesome to see modern properties paying homage to the ones that are no longer around. Surveyor: Emily Fellmer Survey - date completed: 2017-09-15 Sign keywords: Oscillating; Steel; Neon; Blade; Fascia; Building-front design
The Travelers Motel sign sits at 1100 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 1100 Fremont St Sign details: This location was constructed in 1926. Though the year of when the Traveler's Motel opened in unknown though its sign states, "Your Best Bet In Las Vegas Since 1936'. Though Vintage Las Vegas' blog states that the Traveler's Motel acquired some of their land from the Lucky Motel. Currently the Traveler's Motel is closed and gated up. Sign condition: 3, the sign is fairly in condition. However, the sign does not light up at night. The sign that used to read "Traveler's Motel" that was affixed to the iron gate-like structure appears to have the majority of its sign taken down or destroyed in recent times. Sign form: Blade Pole sign and Porte Cochere Sign-specific description: This sign is attached to the building that belongs to and extends outward to Fremont Street. The lower portion of this sign has the same details on each side of the sign. The top portion of this sign is a trapezoid with "Traveler's" painted on it in a cursive text except for the "t." This is done in white on a rust colored background. Neon is also affixed to "Traveler's." Underneath this is a plastic back lit sign detail the various accommodations of the property, such as: phone, cable T.V., microwave, refrigerators, "totally remodeled rooms," "daily * weekly rental," and "Your Best Bet In Las Vegas Since 1936." Under this is another, smaller trapezoid that has the street address painted on it in bold white numbers with a rust background. Extending from the top portion of this sign is a rust colored pole that has five other poles with various lengths extending out from that towards Fremont Street. Attached to these poles are letters that spell out "MOTEL," the top supports the "M" and each pole following hold each of the others letters to spell out the word. Each of these are diamond shaped plastic, possibly back lit signs. The plastic is off-white and each of the letters is black. The marquee sign attached to the iron gate-like structure that connects one side of the building to the next. This sign is a long, rectangular back lit sign that has a white background and bold red text reading "Traveler's Motel. " This sign also was attached to an longer, yellow rectangle with rounded sided on the left and right side of the sign. Sign - type of display: Neon, possibly back lit (sign doesn't light up any more) Sign - media: Steel and Plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic back lit portion Sign animation: The sign is no longer in use; therefore, it is difficult to determine this. There is also no record of the sign having any animation. Sign environment: This property resides in the area east of the Fremont East District with many new businesses surrounding it, such as: PublicUs, the Bunkhouse Saloon, Chow, The Writer's Block, and 11th Street Records. However, there are quite a few other closed Motel properties that reside near the Traveler's Motel as well. Sign - thematic influences: The sign is extremely reminiscent of many of the signs from the 50's and 60's that belong to the other motels in the downtown area. The sign has many geometric elements to it that make it appear that it could be from this time period. Sign - artistic significance: This sign does not have a specific theme to it. However, the plastic figure climbing on the sign stresses that this motel would be for those who do enjoy traveling and adventures. This sign does follow a very basic trend regarding motel signs on Fremont Street. It is attractive and very noticeable to those moving along Fremont Street. The overall design of the sign is very geometric, which is a common aesthetic among signs made in the 50's and 60's. Survey - research locations: Assessor's Page and Vintage Las Vegas website http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/Traveler+Motel Survey - research notes: It was difficult to find any history or old photographs of this property. Surveyor: Lauren Vaccaro Survey - date completed: 2017-08-18 Sign keywords: Neon; Steel; Plastic; Backlit; Pole sign
The D Hotel and Casino sign sits at 301 Fremont Street inside the Fremont Street Experience. Photos show signs on The D, including signs for the casino itself and a McDonald's inside of it. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet. Site address: 301 Fremont St Sign owner: Derek Stevens Sign details: This location first opened as the Sundance in 1980 which was known for its affiliation with Moe Dalitz of the Cleveland syndicate. Then the location was reopened in 1987 as the Fitzgerald's by owner Don Barden, one of the first African American casino owners in Las Vegas. Then in 2012 the renovation process began for Derek Stevens to open up the D casino. The D is named after Derek Steven's hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Sign condition: 5- Very good condition Sign form: Variation of a Bull Nose sign, signs on buildings and other entrance signs Sign-specific description: Above their main entrance on Third and Fremont there is a black backdrop that states "the D" the letters the are in gold lights, then the letter D is in a big red steel box that showcases a tv screen in the big part of the letter, but this letter is outlined in two strips of red neon. Underneath this variation of a bull nose sign is a tv plasma screen that they have wrapped around the building. - On the second story of their casino there is a Vintage Vegas section that can be accessed from the street via escalator, above this second floor entrance is a sign stating "the D Vintage Vegas" At the Top of the building is an animated sculptural sign which is a slot machine with a lever that pulls down with the reels changing such as an old slot machine would have done. Then below this are neon coins that light up in order to look like they are falling out of the slot machine. On the top left portion of the coins states "the (in white) D (in red)", but under the logo is a solid yellow neon line. On top of the yellow line states "Vintage" and on the bottom states "Vegas" in a retro 50's 60's font. Sign - type of display: Neon, LED, Plasma screen Sign - media: Steel, some plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Light bulbs, T.V. screen and sculptural sign Sign animation: The coins light up in order to look as though they are falling out of the sculptural slot machine. The lever on the slot machine moves to activate the moving reels in the slot machine. Sign environment: On the corner of Third and Fremont St. West of the building is the Four Queens, to the North West is the Fremont Casino and Hotel. Across Fremont street from the D is little shops including where the El Portal Movie Theater used to be. Also along Fremont Street the D opened a bar which is very helpful with foot traffic. Also Third Street right in front of their main entrance there is a stage that hold concerts. Sign manufacturer: AD/S Companies Sign - date of installation: 2012 Sign - thematic influences: This variation of a Bull Nose sign is similar to many of the other entrance signs for casinos on Fremont Street. Sign - artistic significance: The Vintage Vegas sign has a retro 1950's/60's type font. The sign really does represent the theme of that section of the casino well by having the old slot machine sculptural sign. Survey - research locations: Acessor's office website, the D website http://www.thed.com/hotel/ , Neon Museum Tour Manual Survey - research notes: Derek Stevens also owns the Golden Gate. He bought out the Glitter Gulch, Mermaids and La Bayou in 2015 then the Las Vegas club in 2016. La Bayou was demolished in 2016. The summer of 2017 is when the demolition of Glitter Gulch, Mermaids and the Las Vegas Club began. Surveyor: Emily Fellmer Survey - date completed: 2017-08-12 Sign keywords: Neon; LED; Steel; Plastic; Bullnose; Building-front design; Plasma display; Video screen; Sculptural