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Mon Bel Ami Neon Survey document, August 19, 2017

Date

2017-08-19

Description

Information about the Mon Bel Ami sign that sits at 607 S Las Vegas Blvd.
Site address: 607 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Mon Bel Ami- Maudie Dog Trust
Sign details: Mon Bel Ami Wedding Chapel originally was the Silver Bell Wedding Chapel owned by nineteen year old Jim Duszynski. He moved from Toledo, Ohio and purchased the small wedding chapel for five dollars in 1958. Silver Bell wedding Chapel eventually moved across the street adding a steeple to an old masonic lodge hosting dozens of weddings. In 2002 the building caught on fire where the property was later purchased by new ownership. In 2003 the new ownership re-named Silver Bell Wedding Chapel to Mon Bel Ami Wedding chapel. The new chapel replaced the Silver Bell panel and painted over the SB. Currently the sign has been removed and donated to the Neon Museum and replaced with new signage.
Sign condition: The condition of the sign is a 5. From what I can tell the sign has been kept maintained. No paint has chipped, and the LED is still working perfectly.
Sign form: The sign is a pole sign and not attached to the building.
Sign-specific description: The sign is a pole based free standing sign. The heavy curved triangle is in the color burnt sienna made of steel. The pole itself is a faux marble with swirls circulating the pole etched into the pole. The sign is tastefully ornate, yet simple in design. The pole transitions into a Chapean Tuscan architectural feature. The typography is slightly thick and light up white at night. The actual light features surround the typography and takes the shape of the curved triangle. The light is LED based.
Sign - type of display: LED
Sign - media: Steel and concrete
Sign environment: It is next door to Graceland Wedding Chapel and near Nevada Legal Services, US Labor Department Wage and Hour Divisions, Dougie J's Cafe, Thunderbird Lounge, and Rogue Toys.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: Mid 2000's
Sign - date of redesign/move: After 2003 the ownership from Silver Bells changed and renamed the chapel to Mon Bel Ami. The Silver Bells Wedding sign was donated to the Neon Museum.
Sign - thematic influences: The design resembles faux Tuscan elements, simple yet semi- ornamental.
Sign - artistic significance: The sign resembles the early 2000's trend with faux semi ornate but sleek contemporary design within architecture. The sign is quite reminiscent of Wynn Hotel, Palazzo, and Encore.
Survey - research locations: Mon Bel Ami wedding chapel website https://www.monbelami.com/historic-wedding-chapel-sign-neon-museum-vegas/ , Asessor's Page
Surveyor: Gisselle Tipp
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-19
Sign keywords: Steel; Concrete; Pole sign; Neon

Text

Frank F. Watts Collection of Casino Memorabilia

Identifier

MS-00255

Abstract

The Frank F. Watts Collection of Casino Memorabilia (1880-1990) consists of gaming tokens and chips, matchbooks, and other memorabilia from Nevada and international casinos. The collection also contains items related to early Northern Nevada history including a salt ledger from 1880 as well as a wanted poster from 1913.

Archival Collection