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Photograph of the front of the Golden Nugget Gambling Hall, Las Vegas, Nevada, circa 1946-1950s

Date
1946 to 1959
Description
A view of the front of the Golden Nugget Gambling Hall. A banner advertising "Cooled by refrigeration always pleasant" is visible on the right-hand side of the building. The Golden Nugget opened in 1946, and is the first structure designed from the ground up to be a casino. Steve Wynn became the majority shareholder in 1973, and built the first tower in 1977. In 1984, the neon was removed from the building and the spa tower was built, along with the showroom. The third tower was opened in 1989. The hotel now has 2,419 rooms and suites. The casino's large hotel sign at its entrance off Fremont and Casino Center was removed in 1984 when the casino underwent renovations. The old sign presently sits at the YESCO (Young Electric Sign Company) sign yard.

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Photographs of Madame Tussaud's signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002

Date
2002
Description
Daytime and nighttime views of Madame Tussaud's museum signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site name: Venetian (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 3377 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum is located inside the Venetian Hotel and Casino. Located at the southern end of the property, it is tucked away at the end of a long stretch of escalators. Even though it is not in complete plain view, the facility is directly in the line of pedestrian traffic. The escalators serve as one of the main causeways into the Venetian for the traveler headed north on the east side of the strip. The facility is also advertised by an architecturally integrated building sign, and an LED screen that are in plain view from the street. A the end of the bay of escalators, a platform folds out, containing the vibrant entrance to the Wax Museum. Flanking the large opening designated as the entrance, are six free standing sculpted cabinet, advertising for Madame Tussaud's, lining up three on either side of the door. Standing underneath the entry, are a cast of ever rotating wax figures of celebrities. Just beyond the wax sentry, six more sculpted cabinets are present on other side of the pedestrian leading up to a ticket counter. On the ceiling above the pedestrian is an array of sculpted elements that are adorned with incandescent bulbs and neon, all leading up to the afore mentioned counter.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Fascia
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing
Sign environment: Madame Tussaud's holds the unique position of being elevated above the street, within the Venetian. Located at the top of a bank of escalators, the museum is positioned so that it is the dominating force upon the pedestrian with its immediate area. With careful examination it is evident that the it resides in the Venetian, but has tight hold on it's claim of space. Even though the location is somewhat hidden, it is a present force, and alongside a series of moving walk paths, generating a high frequency of vibration.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: 2000
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of Madame Tussaud's revolves around the theme of what the establishment provides. The main attraction is of course the lifelike imagery of celebrities sculpted in wax. The establishment draws from the theme of celebrities and stardom in design. The advertisement cabinets, which line the entry to Madame Tussaud's, are shaped to reference this. One set is crafted in the shape of a stylized star, while the others appear as street side movie posters seen in theatres or propaganda. The feel of them, to sum up initially, is classic "Hollywood" movie opening extravaganza. The star shapes and jutting channels on the ceiling of the entrance are other references to stars as well as the feel of electricity. These too can be associated with "movie star" like elements such as the Hollywood walk of fame, with it's star shaped crests, references to celebrities as "stars," as well as the a fore mentioned flavor of a movie opening or extravaganza.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Graphics; Paint

Mixed Content

Photographs of Glass Pool Inn signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002

Date
2002
Description
Daytime views of the Glass Pool Inn signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 4613 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: Located on the very south end of Las Vegas Blvd the Glass Pool Inn boasts a Pylon/Pole sign along the east side of the Strip. Both the sign and the adjacent lounge, which holds vestiges of wall signs, are directly Northwest of the famed glass Portaled pool, where the establishment takes its name.
Sign condition: Structure 3 Surface 2 Lighting 2
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The Glass Pool's main sign is a double-backed, double poled, internally lit pylon design. The top portion, a sculpted internally lit marquee in the classic kidney pool shape, reads "Glass Pool Inn." A smaller sign of similar water referenced design, sits below the main marquee. They are both contained in sheet metal framed painted blue. The bottom portion is comprised of a incandescent bulb LED matrix center, a Sheet metal message center containing a small plastic readerboard with vinyl letters, and a red neon sign for vacancy. The boxes or the message centers are also blue sheet metal.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: none
Sign environment: The Glass Pool Inn sits on south end of the strip among the small dying hotels of Las Vegas Blvd's earlier history, it is one of the first signs you see traveling North on the strip entering town. Just north lies the beginning of the main flood of architecture from the modern strip; while to its south are the beginnings of the strip and the spawning new growth of Las Vegas. The Glass Pool stands in the unique position of being in that gateway of entering the Las Vegas Strip
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: 1953
Sign - date of redesign/move: In 1989 when Steve Wynn was establishing the Mirage, there was another property which also had the name: the small southern Strip, roadside motel. When Wynn acquired the name the original Mirage simply changed its name to the Glass Pool Inn. The original sign was left in place, and simply remodeled to fit the new name of the motel. Permitted by the county to refurbish in December of 1988.
Sign - thematic influences: Water and the pool itself, kidney-shaped design.
Sign - artistic significance: The Glass Pool is an artistic artifact of the older smaller strip hotels. Artistically it is reminiscent of the roadside pole sign used to attract traffic. It represents one of the last strip roadside motels in that portion of the Strip.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint

Mixed Content

Photograph of Le Thai sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), April 10, 2016

Date
2016-04-10 to 2017-08-15
Description
The sign for Le Thai restaurant sits at 523 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 523 Fremont St
Sign owner: Dan and Shauna Coughlin, Dan doubles as the chef as well
Sign details: The buildings original construction year was 1934. The restaurant opened in November of 2011, Le Thai offers a famous Three curry made by Chef Dan Coughlin as well as other traditional Thai food inspired by Dans grandma and mom from Thailand. They also have a beer garden behind their main restaurant. Dan was the owner to Mix zone cafe and is the son of the owner of the King and I (Nikki Bujadham). This building has a tin facade with a pull out canopy for outdoor seating.
Sign condition: 5- looks very new and in amazing condition
Sign form: Blade
Sign-specific description: The blade is mainly made of plastic that is backlit at night time, but has a dark steel border. At the top of the sign is a circle that has Le written in black cursive on the sign, and illuminates red neon at night. Also on this circle portion of the sign it states Downtown Las Vegas in a smaller print type font. This circle is outlined in incandescents, as well as the incandescents being surrounded by red neon. Below the circle there is a red curved arrow that states Thai in black letters that have a white trim, this font looks italicized and has little circles on a part of each of the letters, this makes it a very distinct font for them specifically. Underneath the Words Thai, the sign states Noodles & Bar in a regular white block type font.
Sign - type of display: Incandescent light bulbs and neon
Sign - media: Plastic and Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics on plastic portion of the sign are backlit
Sign animation: Chasing:
Notes: incandescent light bulbs
Sign environment: In the East side of Fremont Street, located in between Las Vegas Blvd and 6th street. To the west of the property is the Dont Tell Mama Bar and to the east is Commonwealth. Currently across the street is the Therapy restaurant and the old Emergency Arts building.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign designer: Owners Shauna and Dan
Sign - date of installation: 2012
Sign - thematic influences: The font that they use for Le and Thai are quite different but it shows the blend of how their restaurant is and does make it more distinguishable since their font draws the attention of people walking by.
Sign - artistic significance: With the usage of both Neon and incandescent the sign really does pop out which is a similar trend to many signs over the age, particularly since there is a lot of pedestrian traffic in the region. The arrow is a great direction indicator, as well as it showcases the 1950s blade sign trend with the arrow at the bottom.
Survey - research locations: Le Thai restaurant website https://lethaivegas.com/, Assessor's page, and contact with Le Thai LLC
Survey - research notes: The assessor's page said the buildings original construction year was 1934 though there was no record of what it originally opened up as.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-15
Sign keywords: Graphics; Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Blade; Chasing; Incandescent; Neon; Back to back

Mixed Content

Photographs of ABC Stores sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017

Date
2017-03-03
2017-09-01
Description
The ABC Stores sign sits at 23 East Fremont Street inside the Fremont Street Experience. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site address: 23 Fremont St
Sign owner: Sidney and Minnie Kosasa
Sign details: The idea of the ABC stores originated in Hawaii with their first store opening in Waikiki in 1964 as a traveler convenience store selling groceries, cosmetics and souvenirs. The company now has location here in Las Vegas as well as Guam and Saipan. The owners wanted a name that everyone could remember so they named it ABC. The building that houses this ABC Store on Fremont was originally constructed in 1940. The property opened as the ABC Stores in November of 2001.
Sign condition: 5- relatively new and in good condition.
Sign form: Flat bullnose sign, though nearly a canopy sign
Sign-specific description: Above their entrance are big silver plumes that are all lined with chasing incandescent. At night these plumes look like a iridescent pearl color. There is one big plume in the middle and two on either side of the big one. On the middle plume there is a blade sign stating "ABC (vertically) Stores (horizontally)" which is also lined in incandescent on the roadside portion of the sign. The blade portion is a backlit plastic sign. Above the silver plumes is "ABC STORES" in channeled block font letters. These letters are outlined in blue neon (argon) and have gold colored incandescent that are flashing.
Sign - type of display: Neon, incandescents and backlit plastic signs
Sign - media: Plastic and steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Neon, incandescents and backlit plastic signs
Sign animation: Chaser for the incandescents on the plumes and flasher on the incandescents in the ABC letters above the plumes.
Sign environment: This property is on Fremont in between Main and First Street. To the east would be the site of the old Famous Pioneer Club and La Bayou was to the west, but has been torn down in the past year. Across the street was the Glitter Gulch.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: 2001
Sign - thematic influences: The plumes that this location has look very similar to the 1970's Raul Rodriguez Flamingo feathers.
Sign - artistic significance: Could be reminiscent of the 1970's Flamingo Feathers designed by Raul Rodriguez. Though it is also remnant of the old showgirl outfits with their plumes and big feathery outfits.
Survey - research locations: ABC website http://www.abcstores.com/about/ , Acessor's Page, contact with Lovella Joy C. Romulando the Assistant Property manager.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-01
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Plastic; Steel; Chasing; Flashing; Bullnose

Mixed Content

Film transparency of the Golden Nugget Gambling Hall, Las Vegas, Nevada, July, 1949

Date
1949-05
Description
A view of the front of the Golden Nugget Gambling Hall. A banner advertising "Cooled by refrigeration always pleasant" is visible on the right-hand side of the building. The Nugget Saloon and a Shell gas station sign is visible in the background. The Golden Nugget opened in 1946, and is the first structure designed from the ground up to be a casino. Steve Wynn became the majority shareholder in 1973, and built the first tower in 1977. In 1984, the neon was removed from the building and the spa tower was built, along with the showroom. The third tower was opened in 1989. The hotel now has 2,419 rooms and suites. The casino's large hotel sign at its entrance off Fremont and Casino Center was removed in 1984 when the casino underwent renovations. The old sign presently sits at the YESCO (Young Electric Sign Company) sign yard.

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Photograph of the Westerner Gambling Hall and Saloon, Las Vegas, Nevada, circa 1931-1943

Date
1931 to 1943
Description
Workers on scaffolding on the exterior of the Westerner Gambling Hall and Saloon (owned by the Stockers). Next door are Kolstad's Toggery men's store and the Monte Carlo Club. A truck for the Young Electric Sign Company is parked in front of the Westerner. Site Name: Westerner Gambling Hall and Saloon (Las Vegas, Nev.)

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Photographs of Official Tourist Bureau and Viva Vegas Gifts signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002

Date
2002
Description
Daytime views of the Official Tourist Bureau and Viva Vegas Gifts signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 3734 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: The signage of the property is a wrapping fascia of horizontal message boards, which advertise for the businesses present. The building is a two story complex on the west-side of Las Vegas Blvd, facing east with a small parking lot along the front and on the south sides. The signage is present on the south and east walls. The signage acts as an artificial marker denoting the difference between the row of doors and wall size windows below, and the large panes of glass and tan stucco finish of the upper level.
Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 3 Lighting 3
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: The advertisements are broken up into two distinct sections, but are treated aesthetically the same to retain the continuity of the property. The first is a red steel cabinet, which wraps the southeast corner. The faces of the east and south sides are bordered with aluminum, gold polished raceways, lined with incandescent bulbs. The backlit panels possess text which occupies the majority of the white surface. In red text, both of the sides read, "Official tourist bureau," above "Information-reservations." On the east side of the building above the cabinet, two tan horizontal steel boxes, support green channel letters that read in two lines, "Official," then "Tourist Bureau." Above the south face of the signage two separate sections of the green text read "Information" on the left side of the sign, and "Reservations" on the right hand side. They are treated the same as the previous text on the east face, with letters that possess green neon on the interior, and are in all caps. Further north, on the east face of the building, is another cabinet. This sign is only one side, occupying the flat plane of the remainder of the east face of the building. It too is a red steel cabinet with a back-lit face. On the left hand side of the face the two lined text reads "Viva Vegas," a top the word "Gifts." The second line of the text is flanked on either side by red graphic images of diamonds. The right hand portion of the sign reads prices for T-shirts and souvenirs, in black, blue and red text.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign animation: Chasing
Notes: The incandescent bulbs which surround the cabinets chase each other.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic

Mixed Content

Film transparency of a sketch for the Golden Nugget neon sign (Las Vegas), circa 1984

Date
1981 to 1987
Description

Inverted negative transparency. Partially freehand, annotated plan for the neon sign for the Golden Nugget on the southwest corner of Fremont and Second Streets. The original sign was installed by YESCO in 1948.
Site Name: Golden Nugget Las Vegas
Address: 129 East Fremont Street

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Photographs of Tourist Center signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002

Date
2002
Description
Daytime views of signs for a Tourist Center, Mini-Mart, and Travelodge on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Sign details: Continuing north, a tourist and information center as well as a mini mart are incorporated into the front of a low rise Travelodge. A small parking lot creates the space between the structure and the street. The light earth tone stucco facade has a small high rise wall behind it, which is treated with signage and graphically treated with paint.
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: To the north of the Polo Towers plaza, a small lot located next to the Travelodge houses the Tourist Information Center and Gift Shop. A long, back-lit message center runs the length of the west face of the building along the front edge of the low-rise building. It is divided into three sections: The first belonging to the T-shirt mini mart on the north end of the lot, another small section advertising for the same business, then the rest of the sign stretching north belongs to the Tourist Center. The first section is not back-lit yet retains the steel raceway which encloses the entire sign. This section has a stucco background with green channel letters reading "Souvenirs Mini-Mart," with green neon on the interior. The second section is separated by a vertical raceway lined with bulbs. This section advertises for prices of shirts in the shop. The third section, which belongs to the Tourist Center, is dominated by red text which reads "Tourist Center." A higher elevation building sits right behind the front building. Assorted graphics adorn the surface of the building advertising for free maps and discounts. A rounded back-lit cabinet with two sections sticking out from either side hangs on the west face of this higher elevation structure. "Tourist Information" is spelled in red text, and the word "center" below that in black text. Green neon runs along the width edge of the cabinet, as well as the edges of the actual elevation of the building which it is hung, and the painted text below.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: Chasing
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: 35274
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint

Mixed Content