On March 15, 1976, Stephen Kalish interviewed Alfred “Al” Isola (born August 3rd, 1917 in Oakland, California) in his office about his garbage company and early Southern Nevada. The two discuss Las Vegas’ lack of a unified garbage system and how dumping sites have had to adjust their practices in order to limit their impact on pollution. Isola also explains the different disposal protocols for wet and dry trash. On the second tape of the interview, an unidentified woman enters the conversation.
Daytime views of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site name: Welcome to Las Vegas neon sign Site address: 5200 S Las Vegas Blvd Sign owner: YESCO Sign details: The sign sits as a welcome to travelers entering the Las Vegas experience via Las Vegas Blvd The sign itself resides in the middle of traffic median directly in the middle of the road. Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5 Sign form: Pylon Sign-specific description: The sign itself is a classic roadside pole design which faces North/South. It is double backed, internally lit with a border of yellow incandescent bulbs along the flat edge of its width. Across the top of the sign seven white neon circles house separate red neon letters which form the word welcome. Crowning the sign at the very peak, above the word welcome, is a seven pointed neon star comprised of orange and yellow neon. The cabinet itself is faced with translucent white plastic and treated with blue and red painted text. The South side of the sign reads with the Neon welcome word then in blue painted text "To Fabulous" in a 50's style text reminiscent of that used in the Last Frontier property, and cursive. The Words "Las Vegas" are spelled in all caps, in red block text. And below that in smaller blue text the word "Nevada" are spelled in all caps block text. Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit Sign - media: Steel; Plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint Sign animation: chasing, flashing Sign environment: The famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign sits alone at the South end of the strip and is often the very first sign a traveler encounters when entering the strip. It casts a surprisingly powerful glow over the barren median which it stands. It stands as a gateway to the extravaganza that is Las Vegas. When leaving the main drag headed south the sign has an equal effect of being a lone gateway in and out of the Strip. Sign manufacturer: YESCO Sign designer: Betty Willis Sign - date of installation: 1959 Sign - thematic influences: Although it has no specific theme, it is from a specific period in Las Vegas History. It is the quintessential roadside pylon design. With an exposed steel center pole double backed marquee it is reminiscent of the common design of the roadside motor inn. Sign - artistic significance: This sign has become perhaps the most copied icon of Las Vegas, as it was never copyrighted. It is a ubiquitous symbol of the city. Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday Survey - date completed: 2002 Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint; Graphics
The Stratosphere Casino, Hotel and Tower sits north of the Las Vegas Strip at 2000 South Las Vegas Boulevard. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 2000 S Las Vegas Blvd Sign owner: American Casino and Entertainment Properties Sign details: This location was the site of Bob Stupak's Vegas World that opened in 1979. The Stratosphere opening in this location in 1996, the Stratosphere includes the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States. Developed by Bob Stupak, the Stratosphere was meant to be a landmark for the city of Las Vegas. As the years progressed, plans for restaurants and thrill rides came to fruition and the hotel now boasts several popular attractions. From 1996 to 2010, the Stratosphere went through bankruptcy, remodeling, renovations, additions, and new ownership. The current owner, American Casino and Entertainment Properties, also owns three other properties in the Las Vegas area. Sign condition: About 4-5, appears to have relatively low damage, if any Sign form: Porte cochere near main entrance Sign-specific description: Stratopshere in orange neon, three vertical, squiggly lines (red, blue) pointing up toward triangular shape; second neon sign on right side of front facade, "Stratopshere" in orange, overlaid on top of blue cloud shape and orange, poles Sign - type of display: Neon and plastic back lit sign Sign - media: Steel and Electronic Media Screen Sign - non-neon treatments: Electronic Media Screen and plastic back lit sign Sign animation: Flashing for the design behind their logo on their sign Sign environment: Located on the North end of the strip on Sahara, just across the street from the SLS Casino. Sign architect of record: Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill Sign - date of installation: Circa 1996 around opening Sign - date of redesign/move: Around 2014/15 the background colors of the sign switched from a blue sky color to a pink/purple design. Sign - thematic influences: Design similar to radio transmission towers; Stupak compared his design to Eiffel Tower and Space Needle (Seattle). Survey - research locations: Stratosphere website http://www.stratospherehotel.com/?&mkwid=s0JHs4Hf3_dc&pcrid=102775265532&pkw=stratosphere%20las%20vegas&pmt=p&gclid=CjwKCAjwhOvPBRBxEiwAx2nhLp_Mtg7n6c-FUkbwYgY8MD3TJzgUWEp4WX1IgzePUlk1y-Rat_wmexoCJs8QAvD_BwE, recorder's office, Assessor's page Survey - research notes: The top of the Stratosphere has blinking lights, but it is not confirmed if they are LED or Neon. Surveyor: Carlyle Constantino Survey - date completed: 2017-07-12 Sign keywords: Porte-cochère; Neon; Plastic; Steel; Flashing; Video screen; Incandescent
The C. A. Earle Rinker Papers (1880-1960) contain materials that document the history of early twentieth century Goldfield, located in central Nevada, as well as the life of Rinker. Materials in the collection include correspondence, mining prospectuses, maps, ledgers, souvenirs, photographic negatives, and ephemera that document mining and daily life. Also included is biographical material that tells the story of Earle Rinker and his family before 1906 and after 1909, documenting his life in Indiana and Illinois.