Search Results
Slide of the Las Vegas Club's neon signs, Las Vegas, circa 1960s-1970s
Date
1960 to 1979
Archival Collection
Description
An image of the exterior corner of the Las Vegas Club at Fremont Street and Second Street in downtown Las Vegas.
Image
Photographs of Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Archival Collection
Description
Daytime views of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site name: Welcome to Las Vegas neon sign
Site address: 5200 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: YESCO
Sign details: The sign sits as a welcome to travelers entering the Las Vegas experience via Las Vegas Blvd The sign itself resides in the middle of traffic median directly in the middle of the road.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The sign itself is a classic roadside pole design which faces North/South. It is double backed, internally lit with a border of yellow incandescent bulbs along the flat edge of its width. Across the top of the sign seven white neon circles house separate red neon letters which form the word welcome. Crowning the sign at the very peak, above the word welcome, is a seven pointed neon star comprised of orange and yellow neon. The cabinet itself is faced with translucent white plastic and treated with blue and red painted text. The South side of the sign reads with the Neon welcome word then in blue painted text "To Fabulous" in a 50's style text reminiscent of that used in the Last Frontier property, and cursive. The Words "Las Vegas" are spelled in all caps, in red block text. And below that in smaller blue text the word "Nevada" are spelled in all caps block text.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: chasing, flashing
Sign environment: The famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign sits alone at the South end of the strip and is often the very first sign a traveler encounters when entering the strip. It casts a surprisingly powerful glow over the barren median which it stands. It stands as a gateway to the extravaganza that is Las Vegas. When leaving the main drag headed south the sign has an equal effect of being a lone gateway in and out of the Strip.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign designer: Betty Willis
Sign - date of installation: 1959
Sign - thematic influences: Although it has no specific theme, it is from a specific period in Las Vegas History. It is the quintessential roadside pylon design. With an exposed steel center pole double backed marquee it is reminiscent of the common design of the roadside motor inn.
Sign - artistic significance: This sign has become perhaps the most copied icon of Las Vegas, as it was never copyrighted. It is a ubiquitous symbol of the city.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint; Graphics
Site name: Welcome to Las Vegas neon sign
Site address: 5200 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: YESCO
Sign details: The sign sits as a welcome to travelers entering the Las Vegas experience via Las Vegas Blvd The sign itself resides in the middle of traffic median directly in the middle of the road.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The sign itself is a classic roadside pole design which faces North/South. It is double backed, internally lit with a border of yellow incandescent bulbs along the flat edge of its width. Across the top of the sign seven white neon circles house separate red neon letters which form the word welcome. Crowning the sign at the very peak, above the word welcome, is a seven pointed neon star comprised of orange and yellow neon. The cabinet itself is faced with translucent white plastic and treated with blue and red painted text. The South side of the sign reads with the Neon welcome word then in blue painted text "To Fabulous" in a 50's style text reminiscent of that used in the Last Frontier property, and cursive. The Words "Las Vegas" are spelled in all caps, in red block text. And below that in smaller blue text the word "Nevada" are spelled in all caps block text.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: chasing, flashing
Sign environment: The famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign sits alone at the South end of the strip and is often the very first sign a traveler encounters when entering the strip. It casts a surprisingly powerful glow over the barren median which it stands. It stands as a gateway to the extravaganza that is Las Vegas. When leaving the main drag headed south the sign has an equal effect of being a lone gateway in and out of the Strip.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign designer: Betty Willis
Sign - date of installation: 1959
Sign - thematic influences: Although it has no specific theme, it is from a specific period in Las Vegas History. It is the quintessential roadside pylon design. With an exposed steel center pole double backed marquee it is reminiscent of the common design of the roadside motor inn.
Sign - artistic significance: This sign has become perhaps the most copied icon of Las Vegas, as it was never copyrighted. It is a ubiquitous symbol of the city.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint; Graphics
Mixed Content
Photographs of Las Vegas Library sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017
Date
2017-03-03
2017-08-04
Archival Collection
Description
The Las Vegas Library sign sits at 833 North Las Vegas Boulevard. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 833 N Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: City of Las Vegas is the owner of the property since 2015, but it is an Independent government agency ran by a board of trustees chosen by the city and county
Sign details: Opened since 1990. Used to be paired with the Lied Children's Discovery Museum but has been solely the library since the Children's Discovery museum moved to its new location in 2013. The Library property was sold to the city of Las Vegas October 2015.
Sign condition: 4-Lights up very brightly at night and the graphics are still relatively visible during the day, but the Lexan covering makes it a little cloudy looking during the day.
Sign form: Small rectangular roadside sign
Sign-specific description: Rectangular sign about 4ft by 3.5 feet but raised off the ground by nearly 7-8 feet. Double sided slate of concrete with painted font stating "Las Vegas Library". The letter light up red (neon) at night and the border of the sign is blue (argon)
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Concrete
Sign - non-neon treatments: Lexan to cover the Neon tubing
Sign environment: Across the street from Cashman Field. Located in the Cultural Corridor about a mile north of Fremont St. near the beginning of North Las Vegas.
Sign manufacturer: Fluresco Lighting and Sign
Sign - date of installation: 43143
Sign - date of redesign/move: Pre 2012- there was a roadside sign for the children's museum and library but no neon features on that sign.
Sign - thematic influences: Basic skeletal neon, but great use of Neon and Argon. Also the use of concrete as the background is very interesting and not seen as commonly as steel or wood backings for signs.
Sign - artistic significance: This sign shows that any type of company or property here in Las Vegas can have a Neon sign, thus perpetuating the culture of Las Vegas and how Neon defines the town.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas Sun Article https://lasvegassun.com/guides/about/public_libraries/ , Clark County Library website http://www.lvccld.org/about/branch_info.cfm?id=4 , Discovery Children's museum website https://www.discoverykidslv.org/ , contact with Stephen Rice the Library's General Services Director
Survey - research notes: The building is defined by the tall cylinder tower that used to be an observatory for the Children's museum.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-04
Sign keywords: Neon; Concrete; Roadside
Site address: 833 N Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: City of Las Vegas is the owner of the property since 2015, but it is an Independent government agency ran by a board of trustees chosen by the city and county
Sign details: Opened since 1990. Used to be paired with the Lied Children's Discovery Museum but has been solely the library since the Children's Discovery museum moved to its new location in 2013. The Library property was sold to the city of Las Vegas October 2015.
Sign condition: 4-Lights up very brightly at night and the graphics are still relatively visible during the day, but the Lexan covering makes it a little cloudy looking during the day.
Sign form: Small rectangular roadside sign
Sign-specific description: Rectangular sign about 4ft by 3.5 feet but raised off the ground by nearly 7-8 feet. Double sided slate of concrete with painted font stating "Las Vegas Library". The letter light up red (neon) at night and the border of the sign is blue (argon)
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Concrete
Sign - non-neon treatments: Lexan to cover the Neon tubing
Sign environment: Across the street from Cashman Field. Located in the Cultural Corridor about a mile north of Fremont St. near the beginning of North Las Vegas.
Sign manufacturer: Fluresco Lighting and Sign
Sign - date of installation: 43143
Sign - date of redesign/move: Pre 2012- there was a roadside sign for the children's museum and library but no neon features on that sign.
Sign - thematic influences: Basic skeletal neon, but great use of Neon and Argon. Also the use of concrete as the background is very interesting and not seen as commonly as steel or wood backings for signs.
Sign - artistic significance: This sign shows that any type of company or property here in Las Vegas can have a Neon sign, thus perpetuating the culture of Las Vegas and how Neon defines the town.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas Sun Article https://lasvegassun.com/guides/about/public_libraries/ , Clark County Library website http://www.lvccld.org/about/branch_info.cfm?id=4 , Discovery Children's museum website https://www.discoverykidslv.org/ , contact with Stephen Rice the Library's General Services Director
Survey - research notes: The building is defined by the tall cylinder tower that used to be an observatory for the Children's museum.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-04
Sign keywords: Neon; Concrete; Roadside
Mixed Content
Photographs of Las Vegas Hostel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017
Date
2017-03-03
2017-09-09
Archival Collection
Description
The Las Vegas Hostel sign sits at 1322 East Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site address: 1322 E Fremont St
Sign owner: Downtown Lodging LLC
Sign details: This building was originally constructed in 1973 for commercial living accommodations and motel purposes. Previous to the Las Vegas Hostel opening in late 2014/early 2015 it was USA hostel whom used the sign box that the Las Vegas Hostel currently uses today. They have 38 rooms of different variety and 158 beds as a cheaper option that the hotels. They also offer packages to do tours of surrounding places such and the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam. They also claim to be the only Hostel in Las Vegas with a pool.
Sign condition: 4.5- The sign box was recently repainted and the plastic portion of this sign is relatively new and both still are in good condition
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: This sign has a reddish/pink steel beam base. There are two sign boxes the top one is a rectangle shape and the bottom one is a oval-rectangular shape. Currently the top rectangle box does not have any signage in it but if it did it would be a plastic or steel sign that would be down lit by an LED spotlight. The bottom one has a plastic back lit sign with the hostel's logo. Their logo entails "Las Vegas Hostels" in modern bright colored block fonts. The "Las" letters are a bright orange, the "Vegas" letters are a magenta pink, and "Hostels" in a bright light blue.
Sign - type of display: Plastic Back lit sign
Sign - media: Steel and Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: LED and Plastic back lit signage
Sign environment: On the Intersection of East Fremont St and 14th street. A few blocks from the Fremont East District but is in a neighborhood with many different motels though many of them are currently closed
Sign - date of installation: The sign boxes have been up like this since at least 2007 but with different logos within the sign boxes
Sign - date of redesign/move: Late 2014/ early 2015 they repainted the beam and boxes of the sign and inserted the Las Vegas Hostel logo.
Sign - thematic influences: Since this sign was re-purposed and redesigned it shows how Vegas is constantly changing but can reuse old signs from previous properties.
Sign - artistic significance: The bright colors in the sign show that they are going for a modern vibe which works since they opened in the past few years and have events such as pool parties that appeal to the youth that comes through Vegas.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas Hostel Website http://lasvegashostel.net/en_US/rooms/, Assessor's page, google maps satellite and roadside view
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-09
Sign keywords: Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Pole sign
Site address: 1322 E Fremont St
Sign owner: Downtown Lodging LLC
Sign details: This building was originally constructed in 1973 for commercial living accommodations and motel purposes. Previous to the Las Vegas Hostel opening in late 2014/early 2015 it was USA hostel whom used the sign box that the Las Vegas Hostel currently uses today. They have 38 rooms of different variety and 158 beds as a cheaper option that the hotels. They also offer packages to do tours of surrounding places such and the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam. They also claim to be the only Hostel in Las Vegas with a pool.
Sign condition: 4.5- The sign box was recently repainted and the plastic portion of this sign is relatively new and both still are in good condition
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: This sign has a reddish/pink steel beam base. There are two sign boxes the top one is a rectangle shape and the bottom one is a oval-rectangular shape. Currently the top rectangle box does not have any signage in it but if it did it would be a plastic or steel sign that would be down lit by an LED spotlight. The bottom one has a plastic back lit sign with the hostel's logo. Their logo entails "Las Vegas Hostels" in modern bright colored block fonts. The "Las" letters are a bright orange, the "Vegas" letters are a magenta pink, and "Hostels" in a bright light blue.
Sign - type of display: Plastic Back lit sign
Sign - media: Steel and Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: LED and Plastic back lit signage
Sign environment: On the Intersection of East Fremont St and 14th street. A few blocks from the Fremont East District but is in a neighborhood with many different motels though many of them are currently closed
Sign - date of installation: The sign boxes have been up like this since at least 2007 but with different logos within the sign boxes
Sign - date of redesign/move: Late 2014/ early 2015 they repainted the beam and boxes of the sign and inserted the Las Vegas Hostel logo.
Sign - thematic influences: Since this sign was re-purposed and redesigned it shows how Vegas is constantly changing but can reuse old signs from previous properties.
Sign - artistic significance: The bright colors in the sign show that they are going for a modern vibe which works since they opened in the past few years and have events such as pool parties that appeal to the youth that comes through Vegas.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas Hostel Website http://lasvegashostel.net/en_US/rooms/, Assessor's page, google maps satellite and roadside view
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-09
Sign keywords: Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Pole sign
Mixed Content
Photograph of people at the pavilion during Clark's Las Vegas townsite sale, Las Vegas (Nev.), 1905
Date
1905
Archival Collection
Description
An auction held May 15-16, 1905 to sell lots within Clark's Las Vegas Townsite. A group of men and women stand on and around a covered wooden platform outdoors. The auctioneer stands to the left of center at the front of the platform. The decision to auction lots within Clark's Las Vegas Townsite was not made until May 10, 1905. Auctioneer C.O. Whittemore was the president of the Las Vegas Land and Water Company.
Image
Photograph of the Aladdin and Dunes from Las Vegas Boulevard (Las Vegas), late 1960s
Date
1966 to 1970
Archival Collection
Description
Looking north down the Strip with the Aladdin on the right and the Dunes on the left.
Site Name: Las Vegas Strip
Address: Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV
Image
Sidewalk along Las Vegas Boulevard near the Resorts World Las Vegas construction, looking north in Las Vegas, Nevada: digital photograph
Date
2018-09-21
Archival Collection
Description
Photographed as part of the UNLV Special Collections and Archives' Building Las Vegas collecting initiative started in 2016. This photo series documents ongoing construction work at the Resorts World Las Vegas site.
Image
The Las Vegas Boulevard entrance to the construction site for the Resorts World Las Vegas, looking west-southwest in Las Vegas, Nevada: digital photograph
Date
2018-09-21
Archival Collection
Description
Photographed as part of the UNLV Special Collections and Archives' Building Las Vegas collecting initiative started in 2016. This photo series documents ongoing construction work at the Resorts World Las Vegas site.
Image
Photographs of Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 1, 2017
Date
2017-03-01
2017-09-09
Archival Collection
Description
The world famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada" sign sits at 5200 South Las Vegas Boulevard. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site name: Welcome to Las Vegas neon sign
Site address: 5200 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: YESCO
Sign details: The sign was originally installed 1959, quickly became an iconic sign for Las Vegas. Betty Willis never trademarked the sign. Betty Willis died at 91 in 2015. Betty Willis also designed the Moulin Rouge and Blue Angel Motel signs. The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a 25 foot sign which is considered smaller than a lot of the other signs in Las Vegas.
Sign condition: 5, Taken care of by YESCO and Clark County
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The base of this sign is a blue rectangle outline. The main portion of the sign is a white rhombus shape. Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas written in red and blue on a translucent white background. The word "Welcome" is spelled in red skeletal neon on Silver Coins with each letter on its own coin. On the back of the sign it states Drive Safely Come back Soon. This plastic portion of the sign is surrounded by incandescent light bulbs. On the top left portion of the sign where the blue base of the sign comes out of the top of the sign is the famous red star that is outlined in neon.
Sign - type of display: Incandescent, Neon and back lit plastic.
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic back lit portion
Sign animation: Chaser for Incandescent light bulbs on the border of the sign.
Sign environment: This sign is in the median of Las Vegas Blvd. near the South most end of the Strip. This location has Mandalay Bay to the west of it and the airport to the east.
Sign manufacturer: Western Neon
Sign designer: Betty Willis
Sign - date of installation: 1959
Sign - date of redesign/move: Mid 2000s redesign of the median to accommodate parking for visitors.
Sign - thematic influences: This sign is designed in the Googie style. This sign also has symbolism with the words Welcome, as each letter is on a silver coin to represent Nevada as the Silver State.
Sign - artistic significance: One of the most Significant signs for Las Vegas. It is easily recognizable and ingrained as part of Las Vegas culture.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas Sun article https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/21/fabulous-las-vegas-sign-garners-historic-designati/ , Vegas website https://www.vegas.com/attractions/on-the-strip/welcome-las-vegas-sign/ http://www.lasvegaswhereto.com/welcome-las-vegas-sign/ Neon Museum Tour outline , Vintage Vegas http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/welcome+to+fabulous+las+vegas
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-09
Sign keywords: Chasing; Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Incandescent; Neon; Pylon
Site name: Welcome to Las Vegas neon sign
Site address: 5200 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: YESCO
Sign details: The sign was originally installed 1959, quickly became an iconic sign for Las Vegas. Betty Willis never trademarked the sign. Betty Willis died at 91 in 2015. Betty Willis also designed the Moulin Rouge and Blue Angel Motel signs. The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a 25 foot sign which is considered smaller than a lot of the other signs in Las Vegas.
Sign condition: 5, Taken care of by YESCO and Clark County
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The base of this sign is a blue rectangle outline. The main portion of the sign is a white rhombus shape. Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas written in red and blue on a translucent white background. The word "Welcome" is spelled in red skeletal neon on Silver Coins with each letter on its own coin. On the back of the sign it states Drive Safely Come back Soon. This plastic portion of the sign is surrounded by incandescent light bulbs. On the top left portion of the sign where the blue base of the sign comes out of the top of the sign is the famous red star that is outlined in neon.
Sign - type of display: Incandescent, Neon and back lit plastic.
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic back lit portion
Sign animation: Chaser for Incandescent light bulbs on the border of the sign.
Sign environment: This sign is in the median of Las Vegas Blvd. near the South most end of the Strip. This location has Mandalay Bay to the west of it and the airport to the east.
Sign manufacturer: Western Neon
Sign designer: Betty Willis
Sign - date of installation: 1959
Sign - date of redesign/move: Mid 2000s redesign of the median to accommodate parking for visitors.
Sign - thematic influences: This sign is designed in the Googie style. This sign also has symbolism with the words Welcome, as each letter is on a silver coin to represent Nevada as the Silver State.
Sign - artistic significance: One of the most Significant signs for Las Vegas. It is easily recognizable and ingrained as part of Las Vegas culture.
Survey - research locations: Las Vegas Sun article https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/21/fabulous-las-vegas-sign-garners-historic-designati/ , Vegas website https://www.vegas.com/attractions/on-the-strip/welcome-las-vegas-sign/ http://www.lasvegaswhereto.com/welcome-las-vegas-sign/ Neon Museum Tour outline , Vintage Vegas http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/welcome+to+fabulous+las+vegas
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-09
Sign keywords: Chasing; Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Incandescent; Neon; Pylon
Mixed Content
Photograph of Palace Hotel, Las Vegas, 1910
Date
1910
Archival Collection
Description
The view of Palace Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Image