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Photographs of Madame Tussaud's signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002

Date

2002

Description

Daytime and nighttime views of Madame Tussaud's museum signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site name: Venetian (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 3377 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum is located inside the Venetian Hotel and Casino. Located at the southern end of the property, it is tucked away at the end of a long stretch of escalators. Even though it is not in complete plain view, the facility is directly in the line of pedestrian traffic. The escalators serve as one of the main causeways into the Venetian for the traveler headed north on the east side of the strip. The facility is also advertised by an architecturally integrated building sign, and an LED screen that are in plain view from the street. A the end of the bay of escalators, a platform folds out, containing the vibrant entrance to the Wax Museum. Flanking the large opening designated as the entrance, are six free standing sculpted cabinet, advertising for Madame Tussaud's, lining up three on either side of the door. Standing underneath the entry, are a cast of ever rotating wax figures of celebrities. Just beyond the wax sentry, six more sculpted cabinets are present on other side of the pedestrian leading up to a ticket counter. On the ceiling above the pedestrian is an array of sculpted elements that are adorned with incandescent bulbs and neon, all leading up to the afore mentioned counter.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Fascia
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing
Sign environment: Madame Tussaud's holds the unique position of being elevated above the street, within the Venetian. Located at the top of a bank of escalators, the museum is positioned so that it is the dominating force upon the pedestrian with its immediate area. With careful examination it is evident that the it resides in the Venetian, but has tight hold on it's claim of space. Even though the location is somewhat hidden, it is a present force, and alongside a series of moving walk paths, generating a high frequency of vibration.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: 2000
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of Madame Tussaud's revolves around the theme of what the establishment provides. The main attraction is of course the lifelike imagery of celebrities sculpted in wax. The establishment draws from the theme of celebrities and stardom in design. The advertisement cabinets, which line the entry to Madame Tussaud's, are shaped to reference this. One set is crafted in the shape of a stylized star, while the others appear as street side movie posters seen in theatres or propaganda. The feel of them, to sum up initially, is classic "Hollywood" movie opening extravaganza. The star shapes and jutting channels on the ceiling of the entrance are other references to stars as well as the feel of electricity. These too can be associated with "movie star" like elements such as the Hollywood walk of fame, with it's star shaped crests, references to celebrities as "stars," as well as the a fore mentioned flavor of a movie opening or extravaganza.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Graphics; Paint

Mixed Content

Photographs of Holiday House Motel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 1, 2017

Date

2017-03-01
2017-08-30

Description

The Holiday House motel sign with a "For Sale" sign sits at 2211 South Las Vegas Boulevard. Formerly the Bagdad Inn, the property has been in operation since the early 50s. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 2211 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: The Holiday House Motel was originally the Bagdad Inn that opened up in the 1950's. The actual motel was possibly named after Bagdad California, a small ghost town in the San Bernardino county. This town was a former route 66 pit stop and later passed by with the new I-15 and I- 40 in the late 1970's. The motel changed its name in 1983 to Holiday House Motel. The motel currently has a for sale sign.
Sign condition: The sign is in a 4.5. There seems to not have much sun or wind damage to the sign. The color is still fresh.
Sign form: This is a two- pole squared structured sign.
Sign-specific description: The sign is a bright red squared basis. All aspects of the sign's advertisement are connected together in one large square. There is no separation within the structure; it just looks like one giant red canvas with words and would even suggest the sign is very minimal. At the bottom, right portion of the sign you will see a small reader board (currently the reader board has been covered with a for sale sign). Vertically on the left side is the word motel in white lettering. The holiday house font is in yellow incandescent lighting, and the font looks italicized. The no vacancy is in neon underneath the holiday house typography. Two white poles are what holds up the sign.
Sign - type of display: Neon, Incandescent and fluorescent lighting.
Sign - media: Steel and Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Reader board
Sign animation: Flasher for the incandescent light bulbs in the letters
Sign environment: This location is on the north end of the Strip across the street from the Stratosphere and near the Holiday Motel and Fun City Motel.
Sign - date of installation: 1983
Sign - date of redesign/move: In 1950's the sign was Bagdad Inn and in 1983 the establishment later changed into the Holiday House Motel.
Sign - thematic influences: This sign could have inspiration from the post modernism idea of open space and minimal design to "advertise" to consumers. This sign is very representative of 1970's designs.
Sign - artistic significance: Every portion of the sign was thoughtfully placed to hit the consumer in a fast and efficient way.
Survey - research locations: Vintage Vegas http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/Holiday+House+Motel and Roadside Architecture http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas.html .
Surveyor: Gisselle Tipp
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-30
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Flashing; Reader board; Pole sign; Fluorescent; Roof Sign

Mixed Content

Photographs of Outpost Motel, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 14, 2017

Date

2017-03-14
2017-08-28

Description

The Outpost Motel sign sits at 1104 North Boulder Highway. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site name: Outpost Motel (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 1104 N Boulder Hwy
Sign owner: Vegas Outpost Motel LLC
Sign details: The Outpost motel was built all the way back in 1937 and still resides out in Henderson along Boulder Highway. The current sign was installed around the 1950's.
Sign condition: 5, the sign is in excellent condition.
Sign form: Pole
Sign-specific description: This pole sign has a zig-zag like design on the top of it. Underneath that is the word "OUTPOST" in bold white letters against a forest green background. "MOTEL" is painted under that in bold white letters as well. "VACANCY" is painted under the "OTEL." Outlined in neon is "NO," which is difficult to see if it's not lit up. Each of these words is outlined with neon as well so you can see them at night when the sign would be lit up. The lower half of the sign is a back lit reader board. On the outer edge of the sign is a large, yellow arrow that extends from the top of the sign above the "O" in "OUTPOST" and points to the reader board. This is also covered in incandescent light bulbs.
Sign - type of display: Neon, incandescent, backlit reader board
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Reader board
Sign animation: From photos, it looks as though the sign has some sort of animation to it in the yellow arrow on the outer edge. The incandescent light bulbs look as though they twinkled, but it is difficult to tell exactly how or in what direction.
Sign environment: This property sits way out in Henderson along Boulder Highway. It is down the street from Sam Boyd Stadium, Clark County Wetlands Park, and the Henderson Bird viewing Preserve. The properties that sit immediately next to the motel are a few small casinos and a random assortment of businesses.
Sign - date of installation: Possibly the 1950's
Sign - date of redesign/move: Photos from 2014 show that the sign was in a rough condition at one point, but in 2015 it received a fresh coat of paint.
Sign - thematic influences: The design for this sign is similar to many of the small motel throughout the city from the 1950's/60's era. They usually have one major element that makes them striking when viewed from the street view, for this sign it would be the big, yellow arrow. It is also a pole sign and many of the motels from this time period use this style of sign.
Survey - research locations: Roadside architecture http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nv2.html , Classic Las Vegas website ghhhttp://classiclasvegas.squarespace.com/classic-las-vegas-photo-galler/classic-las-vegas-signs/900788 , Asessor's Page http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/assessor/Pages/searchbybusinessname.aspx , Flickr website for photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/roadsidepictures/294981090
Survey - research notes: There are not many sources discussing the history of this property.
Surveyor: Lauren Vaccaro
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-28
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Reader board; Pole sign; Directional

Mixed Content

Postcard showing the Horseshoe Club exterior (Las Vegas), circa 1950s

Date

1951 to 1959

Description

The Horseshoe on Fremont Street in the 1950s. Printed text on back of postcard: "The Horsehoe Club, Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada. The new Horsehoe Club is another notable showplace of Las Vegas, Nevada. The tourists, visitors, and Las Vegans, have found here the perfect combination of restful atmosphere and all modern conveniences for relaxation. There is a restaurant serving de luxe meals at low prices, one of the largest bars in Nevada, nearby parking, and all games of chance for which Nevada is famous." Publication information: "Desert Souvenir Supply, Boulder City, Nevada, C.T.Art-colortone' Reg. U.S. Pat. Off."
Site Name: Horseshoe Club
Address: 128 East Fremont Street

Image

Photograph of the bar area of the Boulder Club (Las Vegas), 1953

Date

1953-08

Description

The long bar on the west side of the Boulder Club, later part of Binion's Horseshoe. Behind the bar is Ben Turner, bar manager, and bartender Chet Blue. Transcribed from original: "About August, 1953, The long bar on the west side of the old Boulder Club on Fremont St. now a part of the Horseshoe." Transcribed from photo sleeve: "Behind the bar, left to right: Ben Turner, bar manager; unidentified bartender; bartender, Chet Blue."
Site Name: Boulder Club
Address: 118 East Fremont Street

Image

Aerial photograph of the The Strip looking north from the Dunes Hotel (Las Vegas), circa 1968

Date

1967 to 1969

Archival Collection

Description

Aerial view of the Las Vegas Strip looking north including views of the Dunes, Caesars Palace, The Flamingo, Sands, Frontier, Riviera, Stardust, and Sahara. Stamped on original: "Las Vegas News Bureau. Las Vegas, Nevada, Convention Center. 15651 Don English, Jerry Abbott, Joe Buck, Milt Palmer, John Cook, Terry Todd, Bob Hooper, Wolf Wergin."
Site Name: Las Vegas Strip
Address: Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV

Image

Photograph of the Aqueduct guest wing, Sands Hotel (Las Vegas), 1963

Date

1963

Archival Collection

Description

View of the Aqueduct wing of the Sands Hotel in 1963. Transcribed from photo sleeve: "New three-story building called the Aqueduct, opened in 1963. This latest addition to the Sands Hotel housed 83 suites and rooms. (1963)." Stamped on original: "Las Vegas News Bureau. Las Vegas, Nevada, Convention Center. 10454. Don English, Jerry Abbott, Joe Buck, Milt Palmer, John Cook."
Site Name: Sands Hotel
Address: 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South

Image

Photograph of a floating craps game in the Sands Hotel swimming pool (Las Vegas), 1954

Date

1954

Archival Collection

Description

Guests at the Sands playing craps on a floating table in the pool. Transcribed from photo sleeve: "Floating craps table - Customers at the Sands Hotel escape the heat by gambling in the pool. About 2200 guests tried this in 1954." Stamped on original: "Desert Sea News Bureau. Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Don English - Dave Lees - Joe Buck."
Site Name: Sands Hotel
Address: 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South

Image

Photograph of the Union Plaza a month after opening (Las Vegas), 1971

Date

1971-08-03

Archival Collection

Description

View of the newly completed Union Plaza. Transcribed from photo sleeve: "Aerial view of the completed Union Plaza Hotel & Casino. The Las Vegas freeway and Union Pacific Railroad in the background. Aug. 3, 1971." Stamped on original: "Union Pacific Photo Division - Public Relations. 5480 Ferguson Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90022. Aug 3 1971"
Site Name: Union Plaza
Address: 1 South Main Street

Image