Search Results
Interview with Ian Dominic Zabarte, April 4, 2007
Date
2007-04-04
Archival Collection
Description
Narrator affiliation: Western Shoshone Property Owner under Treaty
Access note: Audio temporarily sealed. May not quote in any form without written permission from interviewee
Access note: Audio temporarily sealed. May not quote in any form without written permission from interviewee
Text
Wilson Family Papers
Identifier
MS-00125
Abstract
The Wilson Family Papers (1875-1918) document the personal and professional lives of James B. Wilson Sr., James B. Wilson Jr., and George Twison "Tweed" Wilson, early pioneers in Southern Nevada. The collection is comprised of personal correspondence, invoices and advertisements from the Wilson family business, the Sandstone Ranch, and photographs of the extended Wilson family.
Archival Collection
Strutt Hurley Collection on the Southern Nevada Association of Pride, Inc. (SNAPI) and Las Vegas Gay Pride
Identifier
MS-00466
Abstract
The Strutt Hurley Collection on the Southern Nevada Pride Association, Inc. (SNAPI) and Las Vegas Pride (1989-2000) contains materials collected and produced by Strutt Hurley during her tenure as Director of Entertainment of SNAPI. Materials include meeting minutes, advertising contracts, Las Vegas Pride programs, and ephemera collected from Pride celebrations in Las Vegas, Nevada and other parts of the United States and the world.
Archival Collection
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
Fishers Inn Motel Neon Survey document, September 16, 2017
Date
2017-09-17
Archival Collection
Description
Information about the Fishers Inn Motel sign that sits at 3565 Boulder Hwy.
Site address: 3565 Boulder Hwy
Sign owner: Maiya LLC
Sign details: The construction of the motel was in 1963. This location was previously the Comet Motel but the Fisher's bought it in 1987 and changed the name to Fisher's Inn Motel.
Sign condition: 5 - received new paint in 2017
Sign form: Raised roadside sign
Sign-specific description: This sign has a thin white steel beam base with plastic backlit sign that currently advertises ESPN, HBO, Over 150 channels and Free Wifi. Above the reader board is a rectangular (but has a curved portion to the top of it) blue sign that states "FI" on top in a cursive font, underneath in a block white font states "A Fisher's Inn". Underneath "A Fisher's Inn" there is are big yellow "MOTEL" block font letters with a simple "No Vacancy" skeletal neon beneath it. At night the "FI" illuminates yellow, "A Fisher's Inn" green, " MOTEL" red, "NO VACANCY" is blue, but on the top portion of the sign there is white skeletal neon in the shape of possibly a Fisherman's hat.
Sign - type of display: Neon and backlit plastic sign
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Backlit plastic sign
Sign environment: This motel is on Boulder Highway, close to the 515 and is near other motels and car sales lots.
Sign - date of installation: c. 1987
Sign - date of redesign/move: 2017 painted blue when it used to be green
Sign - artistic significance: There's a good use of multiple colors on this sign. As well as repurposing older signs from previous property has been a major trend for signs in Vegas. Good example of skeletal neon.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's website
Survey - research notes: Bookings website gives hotel info https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/a-fishers- inn-motel.html
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-16
Sign keywords: Neon; Backlit; Plastic; Steel; Roadside
Site address: 3565 Boulder Hwy
Sign owner: Maiya LLC
Sign details: The construction of the motel was in 1963. This location was previously the Comet Motel but the Fisher's bought it in 1987 and changed the name to Fisher's Inn Motel.
Sign condition: 5 - received new paint in 2017
Sign form: Raised roadside sign
Sign-specific description: This sign has a thin white steel beam base with plastic backlit sign that currently advertises ESPN, HBO, Over 150 channels and Free Wifi. Above the reader board is a rectangular (but has a curved portion to the top of it) blue sign that states "FI" on top in a cursive font, underneath in a block white font states "A Fisher's Inn". Underneath "A Fisher's Inn" there is are big yellow "MOTEL" block font letters with a simple "No Vacancy" skeletal neon beneath it. At night the "FI" illuminates yellow, "A Fisher's Inn" green, " MOTEL" red, "NO VACANCY" is blue, but on the top portion of the sign there is white skeletal neon in the shape of possibly a Fisherman's hat.
Sign - type of display: Neon and backlit plastic sign
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Backlit plastic sign
Sign environment: This motel is on Boulder Highway, close to the 515 and is near other motels and car sales lots.
Sign - date of installation: c. 1987
Sign - date of redesign/move: 2017 painted blue when it used to be green
Sign - artistic significance: There's a good use of multiple colors on this sign. As well as repurposing older signs from previous property has been a major trend for signs in Vegas. Good example of skeletal neon.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's website
Survey - research notes: Bookings website gives hotel info https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/a-fishers- inn-motel.html
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-16
Sign keywords: Neon; Backlit; Plastic; Steel; Roadside
Text
Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino Neon Survey document, September 8, 2017
Date
2017-09-08
Archival Collection
Description
Information about the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino sign that sits at 129 E Fremont St.
Site name: Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 129 E Fremont St
Sign owner: Landry's INC
Sign details: This location opened in 1946 by Guy McAfee, a vice captain with the LAPD. It was bought by Steve Wynn in 1973 and remodeled in 1984.
Sign condition: 5- their sign has stayed in good condition since its installation
Sign form: Architectural
Sign-specific description: Their original concept was an old west cowboy theme and design with a Gold rush inspiration. Steve Wynn remodeled for a modest, modern design to the building almost abandoning the original design and theme. Currently there are many logos of "GOLDEN NUGGET" channeled letters containing incandescent light bulbs that have some exterior skeletal neon surrounding the letters. There are also LED lights surrounding most of the top of the first floor of the building. Also above the entrances there is a satin-like metallic gold material.
Sign - type of display: Incandescent, LED and some neon
Sign - media: Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Metallic gold material above entrances
Sign animation: Flashing Incandescent light bulbs
Sign environment: Located Downtown Las Vegas in the hearth of the Fremont Street Experience, across from Binion's and the Four Queens.
Sign manufacturer: AD-ART(1988)
Sign - date of installation: 1988
Sign - date of redesign/move: Mid 1980's Steve Wynn remodeled from the YESCO Kermit Wayne 1961 design to the current facade is installed between 1984-87
Sign - thematic influences: The Gold coloring in the lights and the metallic section of the sign above their entrance showcase their modern twist on their old theme.
Survey - research locations: Ad Art contact, Charles Banard's The Magic Sign, Neon Museum tour outline , Vintage Vegas Website http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/Golden+Nugget
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-08
Sign keywords: Architectural; Incandescent; LED; Neon; Steel; Flashing
Site name: Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 129 E Fremont St
Sign owner: Landry's INC
Sign details: This location opened in 1946 by Guy McAfee, a vice captain with the LAPD. It was bought by Steve Wynn in 1973 and remodeled in 1984.
Sign condition: 5- their sign has stayed in good condition since its installation
Sign form: Architectural
Sign-specific description: Their original concept was an old west cowboy theme and design with a Gold rush inspiration. Steve Wynn remodeled for a modest, modern design to the building almost abandoning the original design and theme. Currently there are many logos of "GOLDEN NUGGET" channeled letters containing incandescent light bulbs that have some exterior skeletal neon surrounding the letters. There are also LED lights surrounding most of the top of the first floor of the building. Also above the entrances there is a satin-like metallic gold material.
Sign - type of display: Incandescent, LED and some neon
Sign - media: Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Metallic gold material above entrances
Sign animation: Flashing Incandescent light bulbs
Sign environment: Located Downtown Las Vegas in the hearth of the Fremont Street Experience, across from Binion's and the Four Queens.
Sign manufacturer: AD-ART(1988)
Sign - date of installation: 1988
Sign - date of redesign/move: Mid 1980's Steve Wynn remodeled from the YESCO Kermit Wayne 1961 design to the current facade is installed between 1984-87
Sign - thematic influences: The Gold coloring in the lights and the metallic section of the sign above their entrance showcase their modern twist on their old theme.
Survey - research locations: Ad Art contact, Charles Banard's The Magic Sign, Neon Museum tour outline , Vintage Vegas Website http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/Golden+Nugget
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-08
Sign keywords: Architectural; Incandescent; LED; Neon; Steel; Flashing
Text