Search Results
Interview with Robert W. Taft, August 5, 2004
Date
2004-08-05
Archival Collection
Description
Narrator affiliation: Asst. Manager, Plans, Engineering and Budgets, Dept. of Energy
Text
Meeting minutes for Consolidated Student Senate, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, March 28, 2005
Date
2005-03-28
Archival Collection
Description
Includes meeting minutes agenda, along with additional information about addenum.
Text
Transcript of interview with Byron Underhill by Joyce Moore, March 20, 2002
Date
2002-03-20
Archival Collection
Description
Byron Underhill's father owned the first Coca-Cola bottling plant, the first beer distributorship, and the first bowling alley in Las Vegas. Byron moved here from Needles, Calif., with his family in 1927. Byron later took over the bottling plant, served in the Army as an aircraft mechanic and a glider pilot during World War II, was a private pilot who worked with Search and Rescue, played in various bands, and suggested to the Lions club that they found a burn unit at University Medical Center that is still the only one in the state
Text
Photographs of Little Church of the West signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
2017-08-02
Archival Collection
Description
Photos show Little Church of the West signs during the day and at night. Two surveys were conducted to gather information about this sign. One was conducted in 2002 and one was conducted in 2017. PDFs are available for both surveys. See the 2017 survey PDF for additional information that is not included in the object description.
Site name: Little Church of the West
Site address: 4617 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Greg Smith
Sign details: The Little Church of the West now resides on the south end of the Strip, along the east side among the smaller roadside hotels. Surrounded with pleasant landscaping the property is a charming and welcome sight among the more barren area of the strip.
Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 4 Lighting 5
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: There are two specific signs which are significant to the property. The first being the double backed internally lit pylon roadside sign which sits on the east side of Las Vegas Blvd and faces east/west. The 10 feet at its widest, and thirty seven feet tall. The structure consists of a center pole upon which an internally lit plastic sculpted message board sits. Painted in an old west script upon the plastic are the words "Little Church Of The West Wedding Chapel," with painted scrollwork on the top and the bottom of the plane. The entire message board is bordered in neon. Sitting on top of the message cabinet is a small, sculpted apse and bell. The original sign from its original construction still exists atop the actual structure of the Little Church of the West. It is an image of a cross outlined in white neon.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: none
Sign environment: The property sits among the dying roadside motel environment of the South end of Las Vegas Blvd It stands as on of the properties that is still in good repair. The pleasant landscaping and grass provide a pleasant establishment among the southern strip. It seems to capture the environment it has always tried to attain, of the picturesque country church.
Sign manufacturer: Larsen Sign
Sign - date of installation: It was originally part of William J. Moore's Last Frontier Village, which was assembled in the late 1950's. The current pylon sign was manufactured in 1996.
Sign - date of redesign/move: Originally, it resided in the Las Frontier until it was demolished in 1954. The Little Church of the West stood approximately in the spot where Sax Fifth Avenue is located. When the New Frontier was constructed, it was moved to the east side of the Strip approximately where the Silver Slipper was located. It stood in this location until 1978 when it was moved to the south edge of the Hacienda's property. The property was moved to its current location in 1996.
Sign - thematic influences: The thematic influence of the Little Church of the West draws from its original property which was the Old Western theme of the Frontier Hotel Casino. The Last Frontier Village was assembled from actual Western towns and reassembled on the Last Frontier's Property. With its wooden facade, brown color tones, script and pylon structure, the Little Church of the West rings true with its origins, while still incorporating the subtle elements of Las Vegas such as neon.
Sign - artistic significance: The Little Church of the West is reminiscent of old west theme which extends back to the very beginnings of Las Vegas and which dominated the themes for a period of time. " Before it became filled with themed western architecture, Las Vegas was an actual western town with a Spanish Style train station and false front facades fronting plank sidewalks"-Alan Hess, After Hours Architecture. Such properties, which dominated the early years of Las Vegas, were the Pioneer Club, the El Rancho Vegas, the El Cortez, the Last Frontier, Binion's Horseshoe, and the Silver Slipper.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Pylon; Fascia; Neon; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Graphics; Paint
Site name: Little Church of the West
Site address: 4617 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Greg Smith
Sign details: The Little Church of the West now resides on the south end of the Strip, along the east side among the smaller roadside hotels. Surrounded with pleasant landscaping the property is a charming and welcome sight among the more barren area of the strip.
Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 4 Lighting 5
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: There are two specific signs which are significant to the property. The first being the double backed internally lit pylon roadside sign which sits on the east side of Las Vegas Blvd and faces east/west. The 10 feet at its widest, and thirty seven feet tall. The structure consists of a center pole upon which an internally lit plastic sculpted message board sits. Painted in an old west script upon the plastic are the words "Little Church Of The West Wedding Chapel," with painted scrollwork on the top and the bottom of the plane. The entire message board is bordered in neon. Sitting on top of the message cabinet is a small, sculpted apse and bell. The original sign from its original construction still exists atop the actual structure of the Little Church of the West. It is an image of a cross outlined in white neon.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: none
Sign environment: The property sits among the dying roadside motel environment of the South end of Las Vegas Blvd It stands as on of the properties that is still in good repair. The pleasant landscaping and grass provide a pleasant establishment among the southern strip. It seems to capture the environment it has always tried to attain, of the picturesque country church.
Sign manufacturer: Larsen Sign
Sign - date of installation: It was originally part of William J. Moore's Last Frontier Village, which was assembled in the late 1950's. The current pylon sign was manufactured in 1996.
Sign - date of redesign/move: Originally, it resided in the Las Frontier until it was demolished in 1954. The Little Church of the West stood approximately in the spot where Sax Fifth Avenue is located. When the New Frontier was constructed, it was moved to the east side of the Strip approximately where the Silver Slipper was located. It stood in this location until 1978 when it was moved to the south edge of the Hacienda's property. The property was moved to its current location in 1996.
Sign - thematic influences: The thematic influence of the Little Church of the West draws from its original property which was the Old Western theme of the Frontier Hotel Casino. The Last Frontier Village was assembled from actual Western towns and reassembled on the Last Frontier's Property. With its wooden facade, brown color tones, script and pylon structure, the Little Church of the West rings true with its origins, while still incorporating the subtle elements of Las Vegas such as neon.
Sign - artistic significance: The Little Church of the West is reminiscent of old west theme which extends back to the very beginnings of Las Vegas and which dominated the themes for a period of time. " Before it became filled with themed western architecture, Las Vegas was an actual western town with a Spanish Style train station and false front facades fronting plank sidewalks"-Alan Hess, After Hours Architecture. Such properties, which dominated the early years of Las Vegas, were the Pioneer Club, the El Rancho Vegas, the El Cortez, the Last Frontier, Binion's Horseshoe, and the Silver Slipper.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Pylon; Fascia; Neon; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Graphics; Paint
Mixed Content
Photographs of Gateway Motel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 12, 2017
Date
2017-03-12
2017-08-30
Archival Collection
Description
The Gateway Motel sign sits in early evening light at the northeast corner at 928 South Las Vegas Boulevard. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet
Site address: 928 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Vinod Soni and Gateway Motel Inc
Sign details: The Gateway Motel dates back to early 1930's and could be considered one of the earliest motels to pop up in Las Vegas. Before the name changed to Gateway Motel it was named as the Gateway Auto Court circa 1930-1946 it was known as the Gateway Auto Court. The first sign was built circa 1930's and their new remodeled sign which is still in use today was built circa 1950's. The 1950's sign was originally painted darker colors and had a larger graphic of a gate. The original 1930's sign has the streamline modern influence that was prominent in 1930's and 40's. The sign itself is a pole sign with a square structure at the top. The font Auto-Court is in pure neon with that fire-red hue; the font is placed in the middle to stand out the most. The word Gateway is on top of Auto-Court in black with black streamline lines surrounding the word. Underneath is a small wooden board hanging probably stating no vacancy. The background color of the square structure is in pure white and the pole is chrome.
Sign condition: The condition of the sign is a 3.5. Some of the neon is not working when it's turned on at night. The paint has some sun/UV damage since it looks faded. The reader board has a stained effect from sun damage.
Sign form: Pylon with three separate signs converged into one.
Sign-specific description: The sign is made out of glass, steel, plastic, and concrete. The color palette is light blue, white and a cream white. The sign is designed in separate sections. The white cream based portion is situated at the top with a gate and bridge illustrative design in glass tubes and neon. The gate itself lights up yellow with red on the side. The font Gateway is larger than the gate and is in the color white when lit up. Underneath the Gateway word is a subliminal directional arrow pointing towards the motel buildings This section is in the color sky blue with the word motel in massive white letters. Underneath the directional arrow is the reader board surrounded by the steel light blue border. The reader board states Free Wi-Fi and HBO. Underneath in the left corner is a small light blue board that states "no vacancy" in neon. These three separate signs are all connected like blocks with a concrete pillar structure holding up the sign. During the evening, the light blue paint is not shown and is just pure black with the neon illuminating the sign.
Sign - type of display: Neon and plastic back lit sign
Sign - media: Steel, plastic and concrete
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic back lit portion
Sign environment: This location is on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Charleston. This is right next to the original Dona Maria Tamales restaurant.
Sign - date of installation: Circa 1950's
Sign - date of redesign/move: From a 1930's streamline modern sign to a 1950's Mid-Century modern architectural roadside motel sign.
Sign - thematic influences: The sign is influenced by Mid-Century Modern roadside architecture, with the directional arrow as a staple in many motel roadside designs of the 1950's and 60's to accommodate the car consumer era.
Sign - artistic significance: One main trends of the 1950's designs with neon signs is using illustrative motifs with the inclusion of directional arrows to lend to the highway travelers an idea of where the property is located. To make sure these travelers don't miss the establishment in an empty road.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's Page, Roadside Architecture Website http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas.html , Neon Museum book Spectacular, Vintage Las Vegas http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/Gateway+Motel
Surveyor: Gisselle Tipp
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-30
Sign keywords: Neon; Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Concrete; Roadside; Reader board; Back to back
Site address: 928 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Vinod Soni and Gateway Motel Inc
Sign details: The Gateway Motel dates back to early 1930's and could be considered one of the earliest motels to pop up in Las Vegas. Before the name changed to Gateway Motel it was named as the Gateway Auto Court circa 1930-1946 it was known as the Gateway Auto Court. The first sign was built circa 1930's and their new remodeled sign which is still in use today was built circa 1950's. The 1950's sign was originally painted darker colors and had a larger graphic of a gate. The original 1930's sign has the streamline modern influence that was prominent in 1930's and 40's. The sign itself is a pole sign with a square structure at the top. The font Auto-Court is in pure neon with that fire-red hue; the font is placed in the middle to stand out the most. The word Gateway is on top of Auto-Court in black with black streamline lines surrounding the word. Underneath is a small wooden board hanging probably stating no vacancy. The background color of the square structure is in pure white and the pole is chrome.
Sign condition: The condition of the sign is a 3.5. Some of the neon is not working when it's turned on at night. The paint has some sun/UV damage since it looks faded. The reader board has a stained effect from sun damage.
Sign form: Pylon with three separate signs converged into one.
Sign-specific description: The sign is made out of glass, steel, plastic, and concrete. The color palette is light blue, white and a cream white. The sign is designed in separate sections. The white cream based portion is situated at the top with a gate and bridge illustrative design in glass tubes and neon. The gate itself lights up yellow with red on the side. The font Gateway is larger than the gate and is in the color white when lit up. Underneath the Gateway word is a subliminal directional arrow pointing towards the motel buildings This section is in the color sky blue with the word motel in massive white letters. Underneath the directional arrow is the reader board surrounded by the steel light blue border. The reader board states Free Wi-Fi and HBO. Underneath in the left corner is a small light blue board that states "no vacancy" in neon. These three separate signs are all connected like blocks with a concrete pillar structure holding up the sign. During the evening, the light blue paint is not shown and is just pure black with the neon illuminating the sign.
Sign - type of display: Neon and plastic back lit sign
Sign - media: Steel, plastic and concrete
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic back lit portion
Sign environment: This location is on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Charleston. This is right next to the original Dona Maria Tamales restaurant.
Sign - date of installation: Circa 1950's
Sign - date of redesign/move: From a 1930's streamline modern sign to a 1950's Mid-Century modern architectural roadside motel sign.
Sign - thematic influences: The sign is influenced by Mid-Century Modern roadside architecture, with the directional arrow as a staple in many motel roadside designs of the 1950's and 60's to accommodate the car consumer era.
Sign - artistic significance: One main trends of the 1950's designs with neon signs is using illustrative motifs with the inclusion of directional arrows to lend to the highway travelers an idea of where the property is located. To make sure these travelers don't miss the establishment in an empty road.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's Page, Roadside Architecture Website http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas.html , Neon Museum book Spectacular, Vintage Las Vegas http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/Gateway+Motel
Surveyor: Gisselle Tipp
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-30
Sign keywords: Neon; Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Concrete; Roadside; Reader board; Back to back
Mixed Content
Photographs of Candlelight Wedding Chapel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Archival Collection
Description
Daytime and nighttime views of the Candlelight Wedding Chapel sign. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 800 S 4th Street
Sign details: The Candlelight Wedding chapel is located on the corner, just north from the Riviera and in the same parking lot as The Algiers. The small white, wooden roofed structure sits just to the east of the street and the northern side butts against Stardust Rd . Outside, the corner is treated with grass, and landscaping, creating a pleasant environment to go along with the charm of the building as well. The low level pole sign faces north/west. The building has a small wooden cross, surrounded on the edges with white neon, on the top of the building, in the same fashion as the Little Church of the West. The style of the building is classic New England architecture
Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 3 Lighting 3
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The main sign for the candlelight wedding chapel is essentially a small pole sign with three separate sections of cabinets along with lighting elements. The white steel pole rises out of the ground ,before transforming into a large two sided marquee cabinet. The cabinet is crafted with sculptural elements into its outer edge. The four corners swell up and bulge, before slightly swooping inward. The top and bottom edges are climaxed into a shallow point. The sides sweep into the notch of a negative circular shape. The sides are given a scroll type feel. In two lines across the red face of the sign, Wedding Chapel is spelled is white text, occupying most of the space of the cabinet. Across the very bottom of the cabinet Wedding Information is spelled in an all white single row of text. The larger text is lined with incandescent bulbs and outlined in neon. The bottom line of text is just lined in neon. The pole protrudes through the top of the sign where a small horizontal, internally lit cabinet, sports sculpted edges as well. The top and bottom edges sweep from either side, then descend meeting at a point in the center. The sides are simply concave, radiuses inward. The white cabinet is lit internally, illuminating the white plastic face. Black text stretches across the plastic face, reading candlelight. Below the main cabinet two internally lit cabinet sandwich the pole, creating two faces. The cabinets are all white, with white faces, utilizing red letters. At the very top of the pole is a tree tiered formation created with raceways and lined with incandescent bulbs. One raceway rises vertically into the air perpendicular to the ground, while the two flanking pieces arch out created a three-pieced fountain shape. It is also reminiscent of a Fleur de Lis.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign animation: none
Sign environment: The positioning of the Candlelight Wedding chapel gives it a unique role as an accent of softness, among a bombardment of neon and pulsating lights. Just to the North, is the Algiers parking lot, and to the south, the Riviera. Directly west across the strip there is the ever electric Circus Circus. Amid all this chaos of incandescence, screeching cabs, and buzzing current, the green shrubbery and plot of turf finely houses the pylon, and leads up to the structure itself. It is very charming and fresh compared to. It definitely is reminiscent of the era of establishment such as its neighbor the Algiers.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the sign has little to do with the theme of the wedding chapel, and more so to do with the architectural theme, than the function of the establishment. The pole sign contains standard elements of local signage. The logo cabinet, and internally lit message center. It even contains the most common element of a raceway lined with incandescent bulbs. The sculpted edges of the pylon's logo cabinet are reminiscent of other cabinets with sculpted edges. The most famous reference to this shape seen in classic Vegas history, is the original corner fascia seen on the Golden Nugget. As far as being compared to the only other existing independent wedding chapel, its structure is similar, that being a small structure boasting a highly visible steeple.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic
Site address: 800 S 4th Street
Sign details: The Candlelight Wedding chapel is located on the corner, just north from the Riviera and in the same parking lot as The Algiers. The small white, wooden roofed structure sits just to the east of the street and the northern side butts against Stardust Rd . Outside, the corner is treated with grass, and landscaping, creating a pleasant environment to go along with the charm of the building as well. The low level pole sign faces north/west. The building has a small wooden cross, surrounded on the edges with white neon, on the top of the building, in the same fashion as the Little Church of the West. The style of the building is classic New England architecture
Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 3 Lighting 3
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The main sign for the candlelight wedding chapel is essentially a small pole sign with three separate sections of cabinets along with lighting elements. The white steel pole rises out of the ground ,before transforming into a large two sided marquee cabinet. The cabinet is crafted with sculptural elements into its outer edge. The four corners swell up and bulge, before slightly swooping inward. The top and bottom edges are climaxed into a shallow point. The sides sweep into the notch of a negative circular shape. The sides are given a scroll type feel. In two lines across the red face of the sign, Wedding Chapel is spelled is white text, occupying most of the space of the cabinet. Across the very bottom of the cabinet Wedding Information is spelled in an all white single row of text. The larger text is lined with incandescent bulbs and outlined in neon. The bottom line of text is just lined in neon. The pole protrudes through the top of the sign where a small horizontal, internally lit cabinet, sports sculpted edges as well. The top and bottom edges sweep from either side, then descend meeting at a point in the center. The sides are simply concave, radiuses inward. The white cabinet is lit internally, illuminating the white plastic face. Black text stretches across the plastic face, reading candlelight. Below the main cabinet two internally lit cabinet sandwich the pole, creating two faces. The cabinets are all white, with white faces, utilizing red letters. At the very top of the pole is a tree tiered formation created with raceways and lined with incandescent bulbs. One raceway rises vertically into the air perpendicular to the ground, while the two flanking pieces arch out created a three-pieced fountain shape. It is also reminiscent of a Fleur de Lis.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign animation: none
Sign environment: The positioning of the Candlelight Wedding chapel gives it a unique role as an accent of softness, among a bombardment of neon and pulsating lights. Just to the North, is the Algiers parking lot, and to the south, the Riviera. Directly west across the strip there is the ever electric Circus Circus. Amid all this chaos of incandescence, screeching cabs, and buzzing current, the green shrubbery and plot of turf finely houses the pylon, and leads up to the structure itself. It is very charming and fresh compared to. It definitely is reminiscent of the era of establishment such as its neighbor the Algiers.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the sign has little to do with the theme of the wedding chapel, and more so to do with the architectural theme, than the function of the establishment. The pole sign contains standard elements of local signage. The logo cabinet, and internally lit message center. It even contains the most common element of a raceway lined with incandescent bulbs. The sculpted edges of the pylon's logo cabinet are reminiscent of other cabinets with sculpted edges. The most famous reference to this shape seen in classic Vegas history, is the original corner fascia seen on the Golden Nugget. As far as being compared to the only other existing independent wedding chapel, its structure is similar, that being a small structure boasting a highly visible steeple.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic
Mixed Content
Photographs of Travelers Motel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2017
Date
2017-04-18
2017-06-28
2017-08-18
Archival Collection
Description
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
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
Mixed Content
Photograph of the Hotel Las Vegas (Las Vegas), 1905
Date
1903 to 1907
Archival Collection
Description
The Hotel Las Vegas was the first hotel in Las Vegas, a tent set up for people who came to participate in the land auction. Managed by Pop Squires." Transcribed from back of photo: "Hotel Las Vegas 1905. Hotel Las Vegas, built by Las Vegas Trading Co. in 1905 was located on North Main Street between Stewart and the creek across from Woodards Down Town Camp on grounds later occupied by Elwells Ware House. All canvas and lumber used in building was cut to size and holes bored in Los Angeles, ready to be bolted together on arrival in Las Vegas. Hotel had 20 rooms. Floor space was 40 x 130 ft. Kitchen and Dining Room are seen next door to Hotel on the right. This Hotel was managed by Chas. P. Squires. Photo by Eddie Gillette, 1905." Transcribed from Special Collections sheet: "Selling of L.V. First L.V. Hotel pic cap. First Las Vegas Hotel -- The Hotel Las Vegas was made ready for the first buyers of real estate at the 1905 auction when the Las Vegas Trading Co., managed by Charles (Pop) Squires, opened the registry. All canvas and lumber used in building was cut to size and holes bored in Los Angeles, a prefab forerunner. Hotel Las Vegas boasted 20 rooms and was regarded as the top 'night spot' of its day."
Site Name: Hotel Las Vegas
Address: 1 Fremont Street
Image