Information about the LaPalm Motel sign that sits at 2512 Fremont St.
Site address: 2512 Fremont St
Sign owner: La Palm Motel Inc
Sign details: Property originally constructed in 1963 on 0.33 acres.
Sign condition: 3 - the sign is in decent condition and appears worn from weather. It is unclear if the sign still lights up at night.
Sign form: Roadside pole sign
Sign-specific description: This pole roadside sign has a simple design. A large black pole supports the other elements for this sign. The top portion of the sign features a plastic, backlit sign reading "La Palm" in a black, serif text. Underneath the "lm" of the "La Palm" sign is a series of open channel letters spelling out "MOTEL" against a faded teal background. This portion of the sign is also a thin, rectangular shape allowing for an open space between the "MOTEL" of the sign and the pole that supports it. Underneath the "L" of the "MOTEL" is the bottom portion of the sign that is attached to the pole. This portion of the sign features a plastic, backlit sign reading "DAILY WEEKLY CABLE TV POOL KITCHENETTES LAUNDROMAT" in bold red letters against a white background. Under this is the word "VACANCY" painted in bold white text. Neon tubes spell out "NO" and outline "VACANCY." Along the outer edge of this sign facing Fremont, the sign is painted a pale yellow with incandescent light bulbs lining this section.
Sign - type of display: Neon, indandescent, backlit
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign environment: This property sits at the corner of East Charleston and Fremont in an area filled with many other smaller motels. There is a Pepe's Taco and Lowe's Home Improvement that close to this motel.
Sign - date of installation: Possibly c. 1963
Sign - thematic influences: There is no exact theme replicated in this sign. It does look similar to other motel signs throughout the city since it sits directly along the roadside allowing motorist and pedestrians to see it easily.
Sign - artistic significance: This sign is a standard example of motel signage because it features the basic elements of a roadside motel sign. It has the name of the property, the word "motel", and other amenities that they may offer.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's website
Survey - research notes: http://www.roadsidepeek.com/roadusa/southwest/nevada/vegas/lvmotel/lvdownmotel/index4.htm
Survey - other remarks: There is not a date of any specific redesign of this sign; however, based on an earlier image of this sign the font in the "La Palm" portion of the sign did change somewhere along the way during the time this property has been around.
Surveyor: Lauren Vaccaro
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-10
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint; Pole sign; Roadside

Dr. Harold Boyer recalled with great clarity his childhood in Arkansas. Born in 1916 in Hartman, he attended a two-story school which went to eighth grade, fished in a nearby stream, and earned money from the age of six selling newspapers. He remembered that his father wore many hats, including that of town physician, president of the school board, and mayor. He also operated the movie theater and would drive around town announcing upcoming film features through a megaphone. Harold gave details of living through the Great Depression and completing his high school and college education. Dr. Boyer recited many details of his life in the Marine Corps as a medic, serving on active duty in the Pacific arena in WWII, going into medical practice in Oklahoma City and Enid, Oklahoma, and being called back to serve in Korea. In 1952, while checking out practices in several Southwest locations, he came to Las Vegas and interviewed with Dr. Carver Coffman. Harold painted a picture of Las Vegas in the sixties and described his practice and the many organizations in which he participated. He described how certain entities contributed significantly to the growth in the Vegas Valley, including the Convention Bureau, the Elks Club, Rotary Club, Shriners, the Mormon Church, the Mesquite Club, the university, and the gaming industry. He also gave a very positive view of the cultural activities that were/are available to the people of Las Vegas. Comments by Dr. Boyer on race relations recalled the sixties when integration in area schools, hotels, and neighborhoods became a reality under strong black leadership. He also talked about the relationship between casino operators and the civic organizations previously mentioned, and included an anecdote concerning one of his patients and A1 Capone. Helldorado, a unique community celebration, began in 1937 and was designed to draw positive attention to Las Vegas and pull people together. Dr. Boyer described the parades, dances, games, and barbecues that made it so much fun, and listed the founders who made it possible. This list includes people like the Von Tobels, Bob Squires, Bill Ferret, and the Ronzoni family. He related that Helldorado gradually faded out as corporations took over the gaming industry and the population grew to hundreds of thousands. Howard Hughes, the Greenbaums, and Bugsy Siegel are some of the people Dr. Boyer recalled as part of the fabulous tapestry that makes Las Vegas special. He talked about those who had a positive influence on the town, like Ed Von Tobel, Jess Abbott, and Jackie Gaughan. He has wonderful ideas for creating a park near the downtown area that would rival Central Park in New York, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, or Audubon Park in New Orleans. His closing comments reflect on special projects conducted by the Rotary Club and the future of Las Vegas as an international air travel transportation hub.