Search Results
Photographs of Octapharma Plasma sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017
Date
2017-03-03
2017-09-02
Archival Collection
Description
The Octapharma Plasma center sits at 1732 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 1732 Fremont St
Sign owner: Octapharma Plasma Inc.
Sign details: The original construction year of the building is 1977. This located opened as an Octapharma plasma donation facility in 2010. Octapharma was created by Wolfgang Margurre in Switzerland in 1983 to create plasma products to help save lives.
Sign condition: 4-Relatively recent renovation of their roadside sign and their entrance sign still has bright colors
Sign form: Roadside sign and entrance sign
Sign-specific description: The roadside sign is a long thin steel rod coming out of the ground with a sharp tip. (almost looks like a big toothpick coming out of the ground) This portion of the sign used to be red from the previous owners of this property when it was named "Pyramid". After 2011 Octapharma had this portion of the sign painted blue for them. Close to the sharp tip of this sign there is a sign box that holds plastic backlit signs. For Octapharma it is a white plastic background with blue "Octapharma Plasma" in block type letters. Above their entrance they have blue plastic channeled letters spelling out "Octapharma Plasma" which is backlit making it illuminate blue at night.
Sign - type of display: Back lit plastic sign
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: LED and Plastic back lit signs
Sign environment: This property is far East Fremont on the intersection of Bruce Street which is about a block from the main intersection of Eastern and Fremont St. This location has many motels surrounding it as well as some convenience stores.
Sign - date of installation: Main roadside sign was repurposed for Octapharma around 2010 so this sign does date back to at least 2007
Sign - date of redesign/move: Roadside Sign redesigned for Octapharma around 2010, with repainting the red portion of the roadside sign blue.
Sign - thematic influences: This style of sign is very similar to the sign that PublicUs has which is just about a block West of this company. These signs are similar with both being re-purposed and repainted when their company started to use their sign as well as the thin steel base and the back lit plastic sign.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's page, Octapharma website http://octapharmaplasma.com/donor/center/18536 , google map satellite and roadside view for images and transition of signage
Survey - research notes: Octapharma has research and donation centers in 113 countries to help create plasma based medicine to help cure people with immune disorders, as well as burn victims.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-02
Sign keywords: Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Roadside; Building-front design; Pole sign
Site address: 1732 Fremont St
Sign owner: Octapharma Plasma Inc.
Sign details: The original construction year of the building is 1977. This located opened as an Octapharma plasma donation facility in 2010. Octapharma was created by Wolfgang Margurre in Switzerland in 1983 to create plasma products to help save lives.
Sign condition: 4-Relatively recent renovation of their roadside sign and their entrance sign still has bright colors
Sign form: Roadside sign and entrance sign
Sign-specific description: The roadside sign is a long thin steel rod coming out of the ground with a sharp tip. (almost looks like a big toothpick coming out of the ground) This portion of the sign used to be red from the previous owners of this property when it was named "Pyramid". After 2011 Octapharma had this portion of the sign painted blue for them. Close to the sharp tip of this sign there is a sign box that holds plastic backlit signs. For Octapharma it is a white plastic background with blue "Octapharma Plasma" in block type letters. Above their entrance they have blue plastic channeled letters spelling out "Octapharma Plasma" which is backlit making it illuminate blue at night.
Sign - type of display: Back lit plastic sign
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: LED and Plastic back lit signs
Sign environment: This property is far East Fremont on the intersection of Bruce Street which is about a block from the main intersection of Eastern and Fremont St. This location has many motels surrounding it as well as some convenience stores.
Sign - date of installation: Main roadside sign was repurposed for Octapharma around 2010 so this sign does date back to at least 2007
Sign - date of redesign/move: Roadside Sign redesigned for Octapharma around 2010, with repainting the red portion of the roadside sign blue.
Sign - thematic influences: This style of sign is very similar to the sign that PublicUs has which is just about a block West of this company. These signs are similar with both being re-purposed and repainted when their company started to use their sign as well as the thin steel base and the back lit plastic sign.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's page, Octapharma website http://octapharmaplasma.com/donor/center/18536 , google map satellite and roadside view for images and transition of signage
Survey - research notes: Octapharma has research and donation centers in 113 countries to help create plasma based medicine to help cure people with immune disorders, as well as burn victims.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-02
Sign keywords: Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Roadside; Building-front design; Pole sign
Mixed Content
Photographs of Vegas Motel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017
Date
2017-03-03
2017-09-29
Archival Collection
Description
The Vegas Motel sign sits at 2212 East Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site address: 2212 Fremont St
Sign details: This motel was not found on the Assessor's page so there was not a record found on when the building was constructed. In between April of 2014 and May of 2015 the building was demolished though the signs still remain.
Sign condition: 3- Paint is still relatively nice on the sign but now there are just remains of lightbulbs/neon tubing.
Sign form: Pylon and a roadside directional sign
Sign-specific description: The main pylon is a rectangular beam with light blue paint at the bottom and white on top that has incandescent light bulbs. In the middle of the sign there are horizontal MOTEL white block font letters with each letter in an individual red circle as well as the letters outlined in skeletal neon. There is a red arch coming out of the letter M and ending over the letter L, and this arch goes to the top of the sign. Above the letters is a blue curvilinear sign box with a plastic back lit sign that has blue letters stating VEGAS. On the top of the sign is a white star burst. There also is a smaller roadside directional sign to the west of the main sign that has a white board painted with red letters stating Vegas Motel there is a big curved red arrow also on this one pointing to where they would have entered the driveway.
Sign - type of display: Neon, incandescent light bulbs and plastic back lit sign
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic back lit sign and incandescent light bulbs
Sign animation: Possibly once had a flasher for the incandescent light bulbs, but can not be determined because there are just remains of the light bulbs currently.
Sign environment: This location was on East Fremont near Eastern Ave where many other motels used to stand, but many have been demolished. Many of the signs of these motels though are still up on though they are not all in working condition.
Sign - thematic influences: This sign has remnants of Googie styles with the star as well as the arch portion of the sign.
Sign - artistic significance: The starburst on top is very similar to the star on Betty Willis Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.
Survey - research locations: Google map satellite and roadside view. Attempted assessor's page, UNLV special collections and Stephanie Roadside, as well as Vintage Las Vegas but no records found.
Survey - research notes: This location was very difficult to research since the building is no longer there as well as that if you search Vegas Motel into a database to research nearly every motel in Vegas shows up, but also nothing was found for this one.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-29
Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Backlit; Flashing; Roadside; Pole sign
Site address: 2212 Fremont St
Sign details: This motel was not found on the Assessor's page so there was not a record found on when the building was constructed. In between April of 2014 and May of 2015 the building was demolished though the signs still remain.
Sign condition: 3- Paint is still relatively nice on the sign but now there are just remains of lightbulbs/neon tubing.
Sign form: Pylon and a roadside directional sign
Sign-specific description: The main pylon is a rectangular beam with light blue paint at the bottom and white on top that has incandescent light bulbs. In the middle of the sign there are horizontal MOTEL white block font letters with each letter in an individual red circle as well as the letters outlined in skeletal neon. There is a red arch coming out of the letter M and ending over the letter L, and this arch goes to the top of the sign. Above the letters is a blue curvilinear sign box with a plastic back lit sign that has blue letters stating VEGAS. On the top of the sign is a white star burst. There also is a smaller roadside directional sign to the west of the main sign that has a white board painted with red letters stating Vegas Motel there is a big curved red arrow also on this one pointing to where they would have entered the driveway.
Sign - type of display: Neon, incandescent light bulbs and plastic back lit sign
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic back lit sign and incandescent light bulbs
Sign animation: Possibly once had a flasher for the incandescent light bulbs, but can not be determined because there are just remains of the light bulbs currently.
Sign environment: This location was on East Fremont near Eastern Ave where many other motels used to stand, but many have been demolished. Many of the signs of these motels though are still up on though they are not all in working condition.
Sign - thematic influences: This sign has remnants of Googie styles with the star as well as the arch portion of the sign.
Sign - artistic significance: The starburst on top is very similar to the star on Betty Willis Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.
Survey - research locations: Google map satellite and roadside view. Attempted assessor's page, UNLV special collections and Stephanie Roadside, as well as Vintage Las Vegas but no records found.
Survey - research notes: This location was very difficult to research since the building is no longer there as well as that if you search Vegas Motel into a database to research nearly every motel in Vegas shows up, but also nothing was found for this one.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-29
Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Backlit; Flashing; Roadside; Pole sign
Mixed Content
Binder of news clippings and correspondence regarding the controversy over a Hoover Dam plaque honoring the dog mascot of damsite workers (contains racist materials)
Date
1979
Archival Collection
Description
From the Roosevelt Fitzgerald Professional Papers (MS-01082) -- Personal and professional papers file.
Mixed Content
Photographs of White Sands Motel signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Archival Collection
Description
Daytime views of the White Sands Motel signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 3889 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: Just south of the Tropicana Hotel Casino, the white Sands Motel begins the stretch of decaying properties that comprise the south end of the strip. In the parking lot outside a small low rise office, and rows of rooms the distinct pylon sign for the White Sands Motel faces north/south.
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: Two legs, in the shape of an "A" with a pole running up through the center, support a black, internally lit message center. The face of the cabinet is two sectioned with a larger portion sitting below a smaller section. The smaller top section has neither a face nor a backing. The interior parts lie exposed to the elements revealing the internal workings. Growing out of the center of the cabinet, tall thin internally lit rectangular cabinet runs into the sky approximately fifteen feet. The cabinet is designated into twelve sections by steel borders. Plastic red letters, reside inside this row of panels, horizontally spelling "White Sands" in all capital letters, with one space between the two words and one below the last word. At the very peak of the sign, a triangular shape, with a rounded top, appears to be back lit also. A smaller section sits on top of this as well. The tall cabinet, the peak, and the top antenna, are lined on the edges with raceways and incandescent bulbs. The resultant effect all of the pieces together is an image of a rocket or missile. Next to the drive on the streets edge, a small red, internally lit, message center faces north /south. The white flexible plastic face is treated with red text, and a logo for the establishment. Across the top of the cabinet "Entrance" is spelled and "Motel" across the bottom. The White sands logo is a red half circular shape with a white silhouette of palm trees, and "White Sands" across the top edge of the half circle.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, flashing, oscillating
Notes: The text, which resides on the southern wall and reads "Casino," is filled with incandescent bulbs that all illuminate at the same time, and oscillate. They then shut off at the same time, and then repeat. The raceways of incandescent bulbs chase each other while the neon, which surrounds the back lit, plastic, screens on this wall flash on then off. The bottom two raceways sandwiching the reflective panel chase from left to right, while the remainder of the raceways surrounding the signs, run right to left. The incandescent bulbs on the pylon chase each other gracefully up the length of the pylon. The animation is patterned so as to appear as if a section of several bulbs are pulsing its way up the towers, hugging the edge of the bulbous tops. The raceways continue around the east face of the building. The umbrellas in the plaza behind the pylon, also are animated with incandescent bulbs chasing each other downward along the raceways.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Oscillating; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint; Graphics
Site address: 3889 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: Just south of the Tropicana Hotel Casino, the white Sands Motel begins the stretch of decaying properties that comprise the south end of the strip. In the parking lot outside a small low rise office, and rows of rooms the distinct pylon sign for the White Sands Motel faces north/south.
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: Two legs, in the shape of an "A" with a pole running up through the center, support a black, internally lit message center. The face of the cabinet is two sectioned with a larger portion sitting below a smaller section. The smaller top section has neither a face nor a backing. The interior parts lie exposed to the elements revealing the internal workings. Growing out of the center of the cabinet, tall thin internally lit rectangular cabinet runs into the sky approximately fifteen feet. The cabinet is designated into twelve sections by steel borders. Plastic red letters, reside inside this row of panels, horizontally spelling "White Sands" in all capital letters, with one space between the two words and one below the last word. At the very peak of the sign, a triangular shape, with a rounded top, appears to be back lit also. A smaller section sits on top of this as well. The tall cabinet, the peak, and the top antenna, are lined on the edges with raceways and incandescent bulbs. The resultant effect all of the pieces together is an image of a rocket or missile. Next to the drive on the streets edge, a small red, internally lit, message center faces north /south. The white flexible plastic face is treated with red text, and a logo for the establishment. Across the top of the cabinet "Entrance" is spelled and "Motel" across the bottom. The White sands logo is a red half circular shape with a white silhouette of palm trees, and "White Sands" across the top edge of the half circle.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, flashing, oscillating
Notes: The text, which resides on the southern wall and reads "Casino," is filled with incandescent bulbs that all illuminate at the same time, and oscillate. They then shut off at the same time, and then repeat. The raceways of incandescent bulbs chase each other while the neon, which surrounds the back lit, plastic, screens on this wall flash on then off. The bottom two raceways sandwiching the reflective panel chase from left to right, while the remainder of the raceways surrounding the signs, run right to left. The incandescent bulbs on the pylon chase each other gracefully up the length of the pylon. The animation is patterned so as to appear as if a section of several bulbs are pulsing its way up the towers, hugging the edge of the bulbous tops. The raceways continue around the east face of the building. The umbrellas in the plaza behind the pylon, also are animated with incandescent bulbs chasing each other downward along the raceways.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Oscillating; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint; Graphics
Mixed Content
Photographs of El Sombrero Mexican Bistro sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017
Date
2017-03-03
2017-08-28
Archival Collection
Description
The El Sombrero Mexican Bistro sign sits at 807 South Main Street. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 807 S Main St
Sign owner: Irma Aguirre
Sign details: This modest, family-owned restaurant has been in town since the 1950's. It was then sold to the current owner, Irma Aguirre, and closed for a brief moment for renovation in 2014. They have been serving favorites like burritos, enchiladas, taco, and tamales for six decades. Even with their modern updates, they are still staying as true to their past as they possibly can.
Sign condition: 5, the sign is still in beautiful condition.
Sign form: Hanging sign
Sign-specific description: The sign for the business extends out from the property towards the street. The rectangular sign is a bright blue that matches the color of the building. On the top outer corner of the sign sits a sombrero with a red and white striped band in the middle portion of the hat. The words "El Sombrero" are painted on the brim of the hat. There are skeletal neon tubes outline the hat and the words "El Sombrero." Next to this is a small sign, within the overall design of the rest of the sign, that is designed to look ripped on both sides and reads "Mexican Food" in red letters. Neon tubes outline these words. Underneath these elements of the sign is the word "CAFE" in bold white text with a thin black border. Neon tubes fill these letters as well. Extending from the bottom of the sign is a small rectangle with the building number "807" painted in black.
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Steel
Sign environment: The area that this restaurant sits is right between the Arts District and the excitement of Fremont Street. The locations nearby is a bail bond store, a supply stores for gaming, lawn equipment, and discount appliances. It is also a short distance from the North Premium Outlets.
Sign - date of installation: Circa 1950's
Sign - date of redesign/move: Possibly 2014, they closed this year to renovate the building and the sign looks different today from earlier images of the sign. Before they renovated the building the sign included some sort of striped scarf/cloth underneath the sombrero. However, after the renovation this must have been painted over.
Sign - thematic influences: The sombrero on the sign also lends itself to the name of the property and the "Mexican Food" sign within the sign explicitly tells you what type of restaurant this is. It tells you the theme right away.
Sign - artistic significance: The sign itself is very simple, but the few specific design elements of the sign are very distinct to the property. The sombrero is a nice touch to emphasize the name of the restaurant and the "Mexican Food" sign is helpful in letting both motorists and pedestrians know what type of food they serve.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas weekly article https://lasvegasweekly.com/dining/reviews/2014/nov/19/revamped-el-sombrero-cafe-mexican-downtown/ , Review Journal article https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/el-sombrero-a-mix-of-modern-classic/, asessor's page
Surveyor: Lauren Vaccaro
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-28
Sign keywords: Neon; Steel; Hanging; Cantilever construction
Site address: 807 S Main St
Sign owner: Irma Aguirre
Sign details: This modest, family-owned restaurant has been in town since the 1950's. It was then sold to the current owner, Irma Aguirre, and closed for a brief moment for renovation in 2014. They have been serving favorites like burritos, enchiladas, taco, and tamales for six decades. Even with their modern updates, they are still staying as true to their past as they possibly can.
Sign condition: 5, the sign is still in beautiful condition.
Sign form: Hanging sign
Sign-specific description: The sign for the business extends out from the property towards the street. The rectangular sign is a bright blue that matches the color of the building. On the top outer corner of the sign sits a sombrero with a red and white striped band in the middle portion of the hat. The words "El Sombrero" are painted on the brim of the hat. There are skeletal neon tubes outline the hat and the words "El Sombrero." Next to this is a small sign, within the overall design of the rest of the sign, that is designed to look ripped on both sides and reads "Mexican Food" in red letters. Neon tubes outline these words. Underneath these elements of the sign is the word "CAFE" in bold white text with a thin black border. Neon tubes fill these letters as well. Extending from the bottom of the sign is a small rectangle with the building number "807" painted in black.
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Steel
Sign environment: The area that this restaurant sits is right between the Arts District and the excitement of Fremont Street. The locations nearby is a bail bond store, a supply stores for gaming, lawn equipment, and discount appliances. It is also a short distance from the North Premium Outlets.
Sign - date of installation: Circa 1950's
Sign - date of redesign/move: Possibly 2014, they closed this year to renovate the building and the sign looks different today from earlier images of the sign. Before they renovated the building the sign included some sort of striped scarf/cloth underneath the sombrero. However, after the renovation this must have been painted over.
Sign - thematic influences: The sombrero on the sign also lends itself to the name of the property and the "Mexican Food" sign within the sign explicitly tells you what type of restaurant this is. It tells you the theme right away.
Sign - artistic significance: The sign itself is very simple, but the few specific design elements of the sign are very distinct to the property. The sombrero is a nice touch to emphasize the name of the restaurant and the "Mexican Food" sign is helpful in letting both motorists and pedestrians know what type of food they serve.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas weekly article https://lasvegasweekly.com/dining/reviews/2014/nov/19/revamped-el-sombrero-cafe-mexican-downtown/ , Review Journal article https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/el-sombrero-a-mix-of-modern-classic/, asessor's page
Surveyor: Lauren Vaccaro
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-28
Sign keywords: Neon; Steel; Hanging; Cantilever construction
Mixed Content
Photographs of Star Motel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017
Date
2017-03-03
2017-08-21
Archival Collection
Description
The Star Motel sign sits at 1418 South Third Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 1418 S 3rd St
Sign owner: M V Star Group LLC
Sign details: 0.33 acre lot, originally constructed in 1947.
Sign condition: 4 - The sign is in excellent condition, but it does not light up at night.
Sign form: Pole sign
Sign-specific description: The sign itself is attached to a silver pole that extends out toward 3 rd St and is planted into the ground. On the top of the pole is a bright, blue star with a smaller white star in the center. The neon tubes attached to the sign are in concentric star shapes radiating out from the center. Extending out from the star to 3 rd st and curving back towards the pole that hold the sign is a trail implying that this is a shooting star. The first third of this trail is white and then the paint changes to yellow and remains yellow for the rest of the trail. The entire trail of the star is covered with yellow incandescent light bulbs. There are three very thin steel poles on the opposite side of the star from where the trail is attached. These smaller poles run parallel to the main pole of the sign and end about the same place where the tail of the star ends at the other side of the pole. Attached to these thin poles are stars ranging in size and made out of neon tubes. About at the midpoint of the main pole supporting the sign is a minimal, bright blue arrow that has "MOTEL" painted on it in bold white letters with a black outline. Neon tubes in the shape of each letter are attached to the center of the letters. Attached to the bottom of the tail end of this arrow is a smaller, minimal, black arrow that has "VACANCY" painted on it in bold white letters. Neon tubes in the shape of these letters fill this sign as well.
Sign - type of display: Neon and Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel
Sign animation: Unknown, as it no longer lights. However according to RoadArch.com, at one time it might have flashed.
Sign environment: The property is in the heart of the Arts District. It resides next to many other small motels in this neighborhood. It is only a few blocks away from Main Street and Charleston where there are many art galleries, restaurants, and vintage boutiques.
Sign - date of installation: c. 1950s
Sign - date of redesign/move: Based on earlier photographs from the 1950's, the sign's main star that is blue with a smaller white star in the center was originally all white. Also, the white and yellow trail it leaves behind was initially all yellow as well. It is also believed that there were more stars attached to the metal bars that extend from the blue and white star and that they would have flashed.
Sign - thematic influences: A popular theme for properties during this time was the Space Age and this is sign is an example of that influential theme.
Sign - artistic significance: This sign shows an influence of the Space Age that was going on during the late 50's. Many motel signs in the city evoked the theme for the property and this sign does so for the Star Motel.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's website, Vintage Vegas, www.roadarch.com
Surveyor: Lauren Vaccaro
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-21
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Pole sign
Site address: 1418 S 3rd St
Sign owner: M V Star Group LLC
Sign details: 0.33 acre lot, originally constructed in 1947.
Sign condition: 4 - The sign is in excellent condition, but it does not light up at night.
Sign form: Pole sign
Sign-specific description: The sign itself is attached to a silver pole that extends out toward 3 rd St and is planted into the ground. On the top of the pole is a bright, blue star with a smaller white star in the center. The neon tubes attached to the sign are in concentric star shapes radiating out from the center. Extending out from the star to 3 rd st and curving back towards the pole that hold the sign is a trail implying that this is a shooting star. The first third of this trail is white and then the paint changes to yellow and remains yellow for the rest of the trail. The entire trail of the star is covered with yellow incandescent light bulbs. There are three very thin steel poles on the opposite side of the star from where the trail is attached. These smaller poles run parallel to the main pole of the sign and end about the same place where the tail of the star ends at the other side of the pole. Attached to these thin poles are stars ranging in size and made out of neon tubes. About at the midpoint of the main pole supporting the sign is a minimal, bright blue arrow that has "MOTEL" painted on it in bold white letters with a black outline. Neon tubes in the shape of each letter are attached to the center of the letters. Attached to the bottom of the tail end of this arrow is a smaller, minimal, black arrow that has "VACANCY" painted on it in bold white letters. Neon tubes in the shape of these letters fill this sign as well.
Sign - type of display: Neon and Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel
Sign animation: Unknown, as it no longer lights. However according to RoadArch.com, at one time it might have flashed.
Sign environment: The property is in the heart of the Arts District. It resides next to many other small motels in this neighborhood. It is only a few blocks away from Main Street and Charleston where there are many art galleries, restaurants, and vintage boutiques.
Sign - date of installation: c. 1950s
Sign - date of redesign/move: Based on earlier photographs from the 1950's, the sign's main star that is blue with a smaller white star in the center was originally all white. Also, the white and yellow trail it leaves behind was initially all yellow as well. It is also believed that there were more stars attached to the metal bars that extend from the blue and white star and that they would have flashed.
Sign - thematic influences: A popular theme for properties during this time was the Space Age and this is sign is an example of that influential theme.
Sign - artistic significance: This sign shows an influence of the Space Age that was going on during the late 50's. Many motel signs in the city evoked the theme for the property and this sign does so for the Star Motel.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's website, Vintage Vegas, www.roadarch.com
Surveyor: Lauren Vaccaro
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-21
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Pole sign
Mixed Content
Photographs of The Palm Piazza sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), April 18, 2017
Date
2017-04-18
2017-09-09
Archival Collection
Description
The Palm Piazza sign sits at 1919 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site address: 1919 Fremont St
Sign owner: Zen Real Estate Holding
Sign details: This building dates back to 1936 and was made for commercial living accommodations/ deluxe motel. Previous to the Palm Piazza opening this location was called the Ariza Motel which was abandoned for a few years. Kamran Foulad in 2013 purchased this building to renovate it in an effort to revitalize downtown. The Palm Piazza opened as an apartment complex in late 2013.
Sign condition: 4- slight fading but still in good condition
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: There is a black base of the sign that is not very tall which holds a back lit plastic sign that has an image of a lady under a palm-tree leaf canopy and the location's phone number in black numbers. Above this is a blue steel backing that in the shape of a sideways trapezoid which is about half of the width of the black sign beneath it (and is laid on the building side of the sign). This portion has black back lit plastic letters that spell out "The Palm Piazza" in a bubbly cursive font towards the top of the sign. Then below this in yellow skeletal neon tubes they have "Luxury Living" spelled out in a thin tight cursive font. On the road side of the sign there is an arrow blue steel arrow that points down towards the black portion of the sign. The arrow is outlined in yellow neon tubes and has "Enjoy Las Vegas" in clear print font skeletal neon tubes.
Sign - type of display: Neon and back lit plastic signs
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic portion of the sign
Sign environment: This area is located East Fremont close to Bruce Street. There are other motels surrounding this area.
Sign - date of installation: This sign has been up in form that we see today in 2013, though it looks as though they re-purposed/redesigned the sign that the Ariza Motel (previous property name) had. The previous sign has been up since at least 2007.
Sign - date of redesign/move: 2013- Ariza Motel blade taken down and the rest of the sign redesigned for the Palm Piazza.
Sign - thematic influences: Previous to the apartment complex it was a motel and their signs still has remnants of that 1950/60's motel sign design particularly with the arrow.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's Page, Review Journal article discussing the renovation of the building https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/developer-eyeing-overlooked-las-vegas-downtown-area-gets-city-boost/, Google map sattelite/ roadside view
Survey - research notes: On the top portion of the blue steel sign there are 3 short black steel beams coming out of it which used to hold an old MOTEL blade sign which was taken down around 2013.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-09
Sign keywords: Neon; Backlit; Plastic; Steel; Pole sign
Site address: 1919 Fremont St
Sign owner: Zen Real Estate Holding
Sign details: This building dates back to 1936 and was made for commercial living accommodations/ deluxe motel. Previous to the Palm Piazza opening this location was called the Ariza Motel which was abandoned for a few years. Kamran Foulad in 2013 purchased this building to renovate it in an effort to revitalize downtown. The Palm Piazza opened as an apartment complex in late 2013.
Sign condition: 4- slight fading but still in good condition
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: There is a black base of the sign that is not very tall which holds a back lit plastic sign that has an image of a lady under a palm-tree leaf canopy and the location's phone number in black numbers. Above this is a blue steel backing that in the shape of a sideways trapezoid which is about half of the width of the black sign beneath it (and is laid on the building side of the sign). This portion has black back lit plastic letters that spell out "The Palm Piazza" in a bubbly cursive font towards the top of the sign. Then below this in yellow skeletal neon tubes they have "Luxury Living" spelled out in a thin tight cursive font. On the road side of the sign there is an arrow blue steel arrow that points down towards the black portion of the sign. The arrow is outlined in yellow neon tubes and has "Enjoy Las Vegas" in clear print font skeletal neon tubes.
Sign - type of display: Neon and back lit plastic signs
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic portion of the sign
Sign environment: This area is located East Fremont close to Bruce Street. There are other motels surrounding this area.
Sign - date of installation: This sign has been up in form that we see today in 2013, though it looks as though they re-purposed/redesigned the sign that the Ariza Motel (previous property name) had. The previous sign has been up since at least 2007.
Sign - date of redesign/move: 2013- Ariza Motel blade taken down and the rest of the sign redesigned for the Palm Piazza.
Sign - thematic influences: Previous to the apartment complex it was a motel and their signs still has remnants of that 1950/60's motel sign design particularly with the arrow.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's Page, Review Journal article discussing the renovation of the building https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/developer-eyeing-overlooked-las-vegas-downtown-area-gets-city-boost/, Google map sattelite/ roadside view
Survey - research notes: On the top portion of the blue steel sign there are 3 short black steel beams coming out of it which used to hold an old MOTEL blade sign which was taken down around 2013.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-09
Sign keywords: Neon; Backlit; Plastic; Steel; Pole sign
Mixed Content
Transcript of interview with Charlotte M. Kelly by Terri Lynn Truesdell, April 4, 1976
Date
1976-04-04
Archival Collection
Description
On April 4, 1976, Terri Lynn Truesdell interviewed real estate worker Charlotte M. Kelly (born July 18th, 1935 in Salt Lake City, Utah) in her home in Las Vegas, Nevada, about her memories of early Southern Nevada. The two discuss local history that Kelly had experienced as well as Kelly’s reasons for moving to Nevada. Kelly concludes the interview with a conversation on population growth and Nellis Air Force Base.
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