Skip to main content

Search the Special Collections and Archives Portal

Search Results

Display    Results Per Page
Displaying results 18691 - 18700 of 19484

Photographs of Sunset Station signs, Henderson, (Nev.), February 2017

Date

2017-02-18
2017-02-19
2017-09-16

Description

The Sunset Station Hotel and Casino sits at 1301 West Sunset Road as evening traffic passes by. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 1301 W Sunset Rd
Sign owner: Sunset Station Inc
Sign details: Original construction 1996. opened June 10th 1997, 74.75 acre lot
Sign condition: 5 - great condition, kept up with no broken lights
Sign form: Animated Back to Back Monument Sign
Sign-specific description: Has the words "Sunset Station Hotel Casino" in animated boxed under a setting sun which is framed, the wording lit with incandescent bulbs. The frame has chasers to draw attention and bright neon filling in the sun with neon flashing on and off starting from the middle then spreading out into the rays of the sun with mixed colors of red, white, yellow and orange. The blocks that the casino name sets in, blue neon flash on and off as well like the chasers but glow a bright blue, also framed with chaser bulbs as well. There is also a tv screen under the decorative topper of the sign, then a reader board underneath the tv screen which is internally lit.
Sign - type of display: Neon and incandescent, TV screens
Sign - media: Steel, Plastic
Sign animation: Neon flashing on and off, Chasers, TV screen
Sign environment: Sunset Station is surrounded by shopping centers
Sign - date of installation: c. 1997
Sign - artistic significance: Design inspired by Spanish avant-garde architect Antoni Gaudi.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas Sun, Neon Museum archives
Survey - research notes: https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/jun/26/how-sunset-station-changed-the-scene/ - Las Vegas Sun Article of 20th Anniversary of Sunset Station
Survey - other remarks: In 1998, the casino announced a $45 million expansion to add 20,000 square feet, 11 movie screens, a steakhouse, a food court, meeting rooms and a parking garage. In 2005, it opened a bowling alley called Strike Zone that featured 72 lanes and cost $25 million to build. In 2016, it renovated its tower and upgraded many of its suites and rooms.
Surveyor: Danny Jacobs
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-16
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Flashing; Chasing; Back to back; Video screen; Pylon; Reader board

Mixed Content

Photographs of Casa Malaga signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002

Date

2002

Description

Daytime and nighttime views of the Casa Malaga signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 4615 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: The Casa Malaga resides on the east side of the strip, among the decaying roadside motels. The property is in the style of most of the motels in the area. A small office sits up front, with a drive next to it, and leading to a parking lot in the back of the property. The parking lot is surrounded on the east, north, and south sides by one story groups of rooms. The pole sign resides in the front parking lot, next to the street
Sign condition: Structure 2 Surface 2 Lighting 2
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The main advertisement for the establishment is the roadside pole sign which faces north /south. It consists mostly of a single white, steel pole with a double-backed steel cabinet. The cabinet is an eight-sided geometric figure, appearing as a swollen cross shape. The middle, horizontal section being larger and wider, than the cross member. The white cabinet is treated with red painted text. The top section reads "Casa," the second "Malaga," and the third reads "Vacancy." All of the texts are in capital letters lined over the contours with bent tubes of neon. Just below the top cabinet, two single-faced cabinets sandwich the pole, facing north/south. The white cabinet with white faces contains vinyl lettering. On the east and west faces of the small office up front, channel letters with clear plastic faces, a gold polished band around the edges, and maroon, and red neon on the interior.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent
Sign - media: Plastic
Sign animation: Flashing, chasing
Notes: The channel letters which spell motel on the south and west wall of the main office chase. The two signs take turns flashing on, one then the other, as the first shuts off. The incandescent bulbs, which line the bottom of the roofline of the office, chase each other as well.
Sign environment: The Casa Malaga resides between the Little Church of the west and the Glass Pool Inn.
Sign - thematic influences: The only theme present is its significance in design to the classic roadside motel. It falls into this theme seen throughout the southern end of the strip. The tall double-backed pole sign, small front office, and surrounding lengths of rooms, all fit into this motif.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Flashing; Chasing; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Plastic

Mixed Content

Photograph of Beauty Bar sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), June 28, 2017

Date

2017-06-28
2017-08-14

Description

The Beauty Bar sits at 517 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 517 Fremont St
Sign owner: Darin Feinstein and Corey Harrison (From Pawn Stars)
Sign details: Building originally constructed in 1988 for a retail store. The Beauty Bar franchise was founded in 2004 in New York City. The bar in Las Vegas used to be owned by Paul Devitt, but in 2014 is when Darin and Corey bought it and did some renovations. During the day they offer manicures/pedicures while serving cocktails, but at night function as a bar and concert venue with cool retro 1950s/60s salon style chairs and colors.
Sign condition: 3-4 During the day the sign looks faded and rusted over. At night the light does not beam as if it is a new sign either.
Sign form: Cabinet mounted to building
Sign-specific description: On the building there is a white oval shaped plastic sign saying Beauty Bar. Right above the doors there is a Salon of Beauty in channeled white block type letters. Both signs illuminate pink.
Sign - type of display: Neon and backlit sign
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Backlit sign in plastic
Sign environment: Located in the Fremont Street East District surrounded by other bars and restaurants.
Sign - date of redesign/move: c. 2014
Sign - thematic influences: The bubbly pink backlit sign almost is the same shape as a painters pallet, so it shows an artsy theme since some consider doing hair and manicures as artwork as well
Sign - artistic significance: The "Salon of beauty" letters each have their illumination contained due to the metal channeling for each letter. The sign does have a retro aspect with their sign not looking totally brand new which extenuates the theme of an old beauty salon that you would see in the 50s or 60s.
Survey - research locations: Beauty Bar Website, accessor's office
Survey - research notes: Paul Devitt, the previous owner, actually started the chain of Beauty Bars in New York in 1995. He still has a part in the ownership in the other location he opened in N.Y., L.A., San Francisco and Chicago.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-14
Sign keywords: Backlit; Plastic; Steel; Neon; Fascia; Cabinet; Building-front design

Mixed Content

Photographs of Economy Motel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), April 18, 2017

Date

2017-04-18
2017-09-10

Description

The Economy Motel sign sits at 1605 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site address: 1605 Fremont St
Sign owner: Las Vegas Dragon Hotel LLC
Sign details: This building was constructed in 1953 for commercial living and motels and has been used for this since. This location was recently remodeled in 2016. The property previous to the Economy Motel was the Rangler Motel.
Sign condition: 5-looks newly restored
Sign form: Blade
Sign-specific description: The top of the sign is a red rectangular blade with the word "ECONOMY" in white skeletal neon tubes spelt out horizontally. Below the word Economy is the word "MOTEL" spelt out Vertically in channeled white letters with a blue border. Underneath this portion of the sign is a sign box where they have a plastic rectangular sign with their phone number on it. Under the sign box is "WELCOME" painted on the west side of the sign and "BIENVENDIO" on the east side. On the building side of the side box is a rectangular yellow arrow pointing down to the lobby of the motel.
Sign - type of display: Neon and plastic backlit sign
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic backlit sign
Sign environment: This location is on the East side of Fremont Street located close to many other motels some closed and some still open.
Sign - date of installation: Sign has been up but in a different form since at least 2007
Sign - date of redesign/move: Late 2016/ early 2017 repainted/ restored since it previously said Rangler Motel on the sign (had a plastic cover saying economy over that previous logo for a few years)
Sign - thematic influences: The arrow portion of this sign is a popular 1950's/60's motel sign theme.
Sign - artistic significance: It is a trend down on Fremont to take an old Motel sign and renovate it into the new motel's name and logo.
Survey - research locations: Owner's website http://www.1dragonhotel.com/about_us , assessor's map, Google map satellite view
Survey - research notes: The previous sign for the Rangler motel was repurposed for the Economy Motel, so the same MOTEL blade portion had the same font but channeled neon was added, as well as repainted.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-10
Sign keywords: Neon; Plastic; Steel; Pole sign; Electronic Message Center

Mixed Content

Photographs of Sterling Gardens sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017

Date

2017-03-03
2017-08-31

Description

The Sterling Gardens sits at 1808 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 1808 Fremont St
Sign owner: PROVIEW SERIES 19 LLC
Sign details: 1947 was the original construction year of the building for motel/ commercial living accommodations and has been that since its construction under many different names most recently known as the Bonanza Lodge Motel before the Sterling Gardens renovated and reopened in 2013. This boutique hotel is known for their Western Themed room as well as a retro 1960's themed room as well.
Sign condition: 5 - renovated sign
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: This roadside pylon has a rectangular base that holds a reader board box that they can add or take out different plastic backlit advertisements. On the back corner of this portion there is a black blade that comes out that has white squares that encase the blue mid century modern font that spell out "STERLING" vertically. On both the left and right side of the "G" there are two blue diamond shapes lined with skeletal neon. Under the vertical letters of "STERLING", horizontally is "Gardens" spelled out in green skeletal neon. Next to the cursive gardens word they have a small red skeletal neon "No Vacancy" sign.
Sign - type of display: Neon and backlit
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Reader board
Sign environment: On the far East side of Fremont this location is surrounded by many other motels and boutique hotels.
Sign - date of installation: Original from Bonanza - c. 1950s
Sign - date of redesign/move: 2013 when it became the Sterling Gardens
Sign - thematic influences: Since this sign was a repurposed sign it shows how many of the motels on East Fremont have been around since the 40's/50's but have changed names and ownership many times, but they still keep the older signs and just fit it to their own needs.
Sign - artistic significance: The font that they use for the letters "Sterling" is a classic Mid century modern font that you could have seen for an older diner or movie theater/drive in.
Survey - research locations: assessor's website
Survey - research notes: Sterling Gardens Website http://www.sterlinggardenshotel.com/
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-31
Sign keywords: Neon; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Reader board; Roadside; Pole sign

Mixed Content

The Dunes Hotel tower under construction: photographic film

Date

1960 (year approximate) to 1986 (year approximate)

Description

A view of the Dunes Hotel tower under construction. The famous sultan statue is visible in the foreground. The marquee is visible in the background advertising "Now in the Persian Room Vive Les Girls French Stage Spectacular 8:30 pm, 11:30 pm, 1:15 am" and "Persian Room All new direct from Paris Vive Les Girls! Produced by Danny Costello Star of the Ed Sullivan Show". The Dunes, which was themed after the Arabian Nights stories, opened on May 23, 1955 with 200 hotel rooms, located in several two-story buildings. From the time of its opening, the Dunes was known for the 35 foot tall fiberglass sultan statue that stood above its main entrance. In 1961, a 24-story, 250-room hotel tower, known as Diamond of the Dunes, was added to the northern part of the property, bringing the total number of rooms to 450. At the top of the tower was the Top O' the Strip restaurant and lounge. The tower was the tallest building in the state at the time. In 1979, the South Tower was added, expanding the hotel to 1300 rooms. A second casino in a separate, round building on the site opened in 1983 under the name Oasis Casino at The Dunes. In 1985, the sultan statue was moved to the golf course during renovations, and later caught fire, reportedly due to an electrical short. On November 17, 1992, the Dunes was sold to Wynn's company, Mirage Resorts, Inc., for $75 million. On January 26, 1993, the Dunes closed its doors for good. Steve Wynn bought the Dunes and started the redevelopment trend with the demolition of the 32-year-old North Tower. On October 27, 1993, the Dunes was demolished in a grand ceremony that involved major fireworks displays and the use of several "cannon blasts" from the English ship 'HMS Britannia' of Treasure Island Hotel and Casino. The 15-year-old South Tower was demolished 9 months later in July 1994, with no fanfare and minimal media attention. The Bellagio now stands in its place. The property is located at 3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109.

Image

Arizona Charlie's Hotel and Casino Neon Survey document, August 18, 2017

Date

2017-08-18

Description

Information about the Arizona Charlie's Hotel and Casino sign that sits at 4575 Boulder Hwy.
Site address: 4575 Boulder Hwy
Sign owner: American Casino and Entertainment Properties LLC
Sign details: Currently Arizona Charlie's Boulder is owned by the Parent company American Casino and Entertainment Properties LLC. The original Arizona Charlie's on Decatur was first opened around the 1980's owned by Ernest Becker III and his three sons. These locations were named for Becker's uncle Charlie Meadows. The Becker family has had a long history of development and real estate. Arizona Charlie's Boulder opened in 2001.
Sign condition: 5 - looks new
Sign form: Super Pylon
Sign-specific description: Octagonal design. Effigy of a cowboy at its center in an oval plastic backlit sign. There is the words "Arizona Charlie's Boulder" in channeled neon letters. Underneath is a Reader Board with a LED video screen.
Sign - type of display: Neon, Incandescent, Plasma T.V. screen and reader board
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: LED plasma screen and Incandescents
Sign animation: Flasher for incandescent bulbs
Sign environment: A residential area surrounds the property, and adjacent to the main property is their own RV park.
Sign manufacturer: Possibly YESCO
Sign - date of installation: c. 2007
Sign - thematic influences: The Red and yellow/gold color scheme adds an old west and cowboy theme to the sign. The old West theme was very prominent in Las Vegas in the 1940's.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's Page, Arizona Charlie's Website
Survey - research notes: http://www.arizonacharliesboulder.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQjw9uHOBRDtz6CKke3z6ecBEiQAu0Jr3mlOR65dHh6OypoEF3LcYOCTWpwRltGP9Kh6YWjwBKgaApoi8P8HAQ
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-18
Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Flashing; Reader board; Video screen

Text

Lawless Center Neon Survey document, August 25, 2017

Date

2017-08-25

Description

Information about the Lawless Center sign that sits at 4100 E Lake Mead Blvd.
Site address: 4100 E Lake Mead Blvd
Sign owner: Patricia Van Buskirk
Sign details: This location opened 1962, and has been family owned since then. This is a shopping center where businesses within it have changed over the years.
Sign condition: Needs some retouching but in good shape, 4
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: This pylon contains a mid-century modern star at the top of it that is painted white with skeletal neon that also illuminates white. Though each corner of the star has an incandescent light bulb. Under this are two googie style shapes one rusty-red and the other is a teal blue. These shapes have white letters stating "Lawless Center" in a mid-century modern font. The first word illuminates blue and the second is red. Underneath is a plastic reader board but does not illuminate at night time.
Sign - type of display: Neon and incandescent
Sign - media: Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic for reader board but does not illuminate at night
Sign environment: This location is on East Lake Mead in a residential area, but also has an auto body and paint store near it.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign designer: Brian "Buzz" Lemming
Sign - date of installation: 1963
Sign - thematic influences: In the Mid-century modern design, Atomic and space theming popular during the era.
Sign - artistic significance: According to Buzz Lemming it is designed after Sputnik, the star looking part on top.
Survey - research locations: Review Journal artricle https://www.reviewjournal.com/uncategorized/naming-las-vegas-lawless-center-history-a-mystery-worth-solving/ (all information from this article).
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-25
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Reader board; Pole sign; Back to back

Text

J. K. Russ oral history interview: transcript

Date

2017-12-22

Archival Collection

Description

Oral history interview with J. K. Russ conducted by Claytee D. White on December 22, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Russ discusses her early life in New Zealand and growing up on a tobacco farm. She remembers arriving to the United States and establishing a career as an artist. Russ talks about the 1 October shooting, creating an art exhibit using cards and letters received from people all over the world, and Las Vegas’ response to the tragedy. Lastly, Russ describes the art community in Las Vegas and the Arts District.

Text