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Photographs of Sam's Town sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 7, 2017
The Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall sits at 5111 Boulder Highway. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet
Site name: Sam's Town (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 5111 Boulder Hwy
Sign owner: Boyd Gaming
Sign details: Sam Boyd came to Las Vegas in the late 40's early 50's and went to work in the Downtown casinos. He moved quickly through the ranks and was overseeing many operations. His son studied law and coupled with him, Sam Boyd created Boyd Gaming in 1975. Sam's Town opened April 1, 1979 which was named after the company's patriarch. This was one of the first Resorts to cater to locals.
Sign condition: 5- Very good condition
Sign form: Super Pylon and many smaller Port Cocheres.
Sign-specific description: The background of the sign is Red with a yellow/gold trim, "Sam's Town" is in channeled white lettering. The font as well as the gold trim on the sign show the Old West and Frontier style. This sign contains a LED video board as well as a reader board.
Sign - type of display: Neon, LED video board, reader board and Incandescent light bulbs.
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Reader board and LED screen
Sign animation: Flasher for incandescent light bulbs
Sign environment: This location is on Boulder Hwy just minute's drive from Arizona Charlie's. There are RV parks and various chain restaurants close to this casino.
Sign - thematic influences: It keeps it tradition with western cowboy theming that has been popular in Las Vegas.
Sign - artistic significance: With this Western theme it has remnants of the gold rush and 49er's type aesthetic.
Survey - research locations: Sam's Town https://www.samstownlv.com/ , Correspondence with Boyd gaming. Boyd Gaming website https://www.boydgaming.com/about-boyd-gaming .
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-18
Sign keywords: Pylon; Porte-cochère; Neon; Incandescent; Flashing; Reader board; Steel; Plastic; Video screen
Mixed Content
Photographs of Tod Motor Motel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), February 28, 2017
Site address: 1508 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Ron and Carol Tadmor; Herb Sider
Sign details: Opened in 1962, the Tod Motor Motel was an exciting contribution to Las Vegas Boulevard. However, hard financial times and changing environments altered the motel scene after several years of being open. After a period of crime, new owners renovated the hotel from top to bottom: new facade, carpet, and furnishings. In 2005 ownership changed again and the new owners sought to expand the property. The neighboring properties, however, refused to sell and the owner of Tod tried to get approval to sell units as condos. The Tod Motor Motel has since closed and entrance is boarded up.
Sign condition: About 4-5, appears to have relatively low damage, if any
Sign form: Street pylon and porte cochere near front office
Sign-specific description: Green V-shape with "Tod motor Motel" in orange block letters overlaid, metal pole protruding atop "o" in "Tod" with red, outline sphere attached.
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Blue, metal lettering placed on side and front of hotel, spells out "Tod Motor Motel," large painted flowers on side and front near blue lettering; pink, diamond-shaped railing along exterior
Sign environment: On the north end of the strip near the base of the Stratosphere, neighboring Dino's Lounge.
Sign - date of installation: 1962
Sign - date of redesign/move: Remodeled after new ownership, sometime in the mid-2000's.
Sign - thematic influences: Design and patterns similar to South Beach (Miami) hotels, tropical element. Also this sign has remnants of the 50's/60's motorist theme.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's page, Las Vegas Sun article https://lasvegassun.com/news/2007/mar/30/new-life-for-tod/ , Las Vegas Weekly video https://lasvegasweekly.com/photos/galleries/2008/may/22/tod-motor-motel/#/0
Surveyor: Carlyle Constantino
Survey - date completed: 2017-07-13
Sign keywords: Neon; Steel; Pole sign; Incandescent; Back to back; Backlit; Cantilever construction; Directional
Mixed Content
Photographs of Venetian sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Site name: Venetian (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Las Vegas Sands, Inc., Sheldon Adelson
Sign details: The Venetian utilizes very little signage at all ad relies heavily on the architecture and themed environment which it creates for its advertisements.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The signage for the Venetian Hotel and Casino is limited to an architecturally integrated sign on the north end of the property, The structure is essentially a giant arch which supports two levels which hold the signage. The arch which rises out of the roof of a building has six columns on its western most exposed edge, at the base. Each section of the pylon, is flanked by sets of four columns. The top sections legs prove to be shorter, being that they are supports for crown of smaller arches. Each flanking arcade is capped with a pointing spire. The top cabinet is an internally lot log for the Venetian.
Sign - type of display: Backlit; Ambient
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic; Masonry
Sign environment: The Venetian is quite successful in creating an environment since the entire facade creates wrapping arms of architecture, ambiently lit. The ornate quatrefoils, details columns and capitals form walls of joined elements and design rotations, that turn endlessly upon one another. The giant towers perching statuary high above the pedestrians head leave those who wander near the Venetian constantly looking up. Whether in the day or night hours, the Venetians plaza creates a environment which is pedestrian friendly.
Sign designer: The Stubbins Association
Sign - date of installation: 1998
Sign - thematic influences: The theme surrounding the Venetian is suggested strongly in the name of the property as well. The architecture is modeled after that seen in the city of Venice, Italy, and stays true to the form regardless of the configuration of the collection. It falls into the category of property which is themed after a city, particularly that of European origin. Such other examples include the Paris and the Bellagio.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Pylon; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Masonry
Mixed Content
Photographs of Tourist Center signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
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
Photographs of Somerset Shopping Center sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Site address: 252 Convention Center Dr
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The sign is designed out of a blue pole, telescoping upward, spearing three double backed cabinets stacked on top of each other in close proximity. Two small wings flagpole of the north and south edges of the pole, which houses graphics advertisement for the businesses in the shopping center. The top sign is an oval cabinet, painted a light blue color on the surface and yellow on the width. The text, "Somerset" is painted white all capital letters, and outlined in black. The text that occupies the cabinet takes up most of the available space and is overlaid with neon tubing. The middle cabinet is the largest of the three. It is a rectangular shape with concave sides. The sides look as if a low sweeping cut has been taken out of the body, starting from edge to edge. The result is a symmetrically morphed geometric shape. "Shopping" is spelled in all capital channel letters, painted white on the interiors, and lined on the interiors with neon tubing. The surface is painted a rusted orange with the width painted yellow. The width of the cabinet is lined with a single row of incandescent bulbs on opposite edges. The bottom and third cabinet is identical to the oval shape of the top cabinet. The difference is that the surface of the cabinet is painted the same rusted orange color as the middle cabinet, and yellow on the width. The three cabinets are encircled with a giant circular, yellow, raceway, reaching up in the sky arching up over the top and completely encompassing the cabinets facing east/west. Blue rods radiate outward, repeating around the edge of the raceway at various lengths. They penetrate the surface of the raceway, protruding on both sides. They start at the top one vertical rod pointing directly vertical into the sky from the center pole. They then alternate, short then long, attached to various strategic points on the three central cabinet, creating a symmetrical pattern. The rods are lined on two edges with neon tubing, which animate in a chasing pattern.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, flashing, oscillating
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Oscillating; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Graphics; Paint
Mixed Content
Photographs of Rosewood Grille signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Site address: 3335 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Alan and Kevin LeWinter
Sign details: The Rosewood Grill is between the Venetian Hotel-Casino and the Tam O'Shanter Motel on the east side of Las Vegas Blvd The facade of the building is a plain, if not unassuming white stucco structure, with a driveway running along the north side of the building. Directly in front of the buildings western wall, along the strip, a tall pylon faces north /south
Sign condition: Structure 3 Surface 3 Lighting 3
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The pylon sign, which faces north/south, is the only signage notifying the pedestrian traffic of the establishment within. It is a tall vertical advertisement, mostly comprised of a vertical, rectangular shaped, internally lit cabinet, with rounded edges. The face of the sign is a plastic, graphically treated photo image of a man in a tuxedo holding up a giant lobster.
Sign - type of display: Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics
Sign animation: Chasing, flashing
Notes: The raceway, which runs the circumference of the faces of the sign, contains small strobes placed at random places, and flashing at random patterns.
Sign environment: The sign for the establishment is the only marker that anything is operational in the dimly lit building. Not that the building looks non operational, but the majority of the building is very unassuming, mostly being denoted by the large drive and entrance. It is located just south of the Tam O'Shanter motel, among the awkward transition of the strip, that is Spring Mountain Rd. The Vagabond Inn and the Treasure Island square off the end of the block before the desolate expanse of what used to be the Desert Inn, and the transforming Fashion Show Mall, sprawl out across the north side of the road. The Rosewood Grill is part of the side of the street that trails off in size, but not character as the giant Venetian slows its progress.
Sign - date of redesign/move: Was the Anoje Continental Restaurant, next to the Kit Carson Motel, but was changed to the Rosewood Grill.
Sign - thematic influences: Not much of a theme, outside of advertising for a big lobster dinner.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Pylon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Graphics
Mixed Content
Photographs of Dino's Lounge sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), February 19, 2017
Site address: 1516 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Kristin Bartolo
Sign details: This location was originally constructed in 1957. Opened as Ringside Liquors by Eddie Trascher. Trascher sold the property to Rinaldo Dean "Dino" Bartolomucci in 1962. Bartolomucci Renamed it "Dino's". Bartolomucci sold cars in california, moved to Las Vegas in the 1950's. "Dino's" is now owned by his granddaughter Kristin Bartolo.
Sign condition: 4 out of 5, it still lights up brightly at night and has bright paint colors.
Sign form: Pylon as well as signage on the building.
Sign-specific description: Sign on building green cover filtered neon, with a script style design for the name. Road pylon contains skeletal neon with red and white design also stating their name "Dino's" in the same font as the sign on the building. This pylon has a white base that extends out of the main red rectangle portion of the sign. Also below their logo is a back lit plastic sign.
Sign - type of display: Neon (skeletal on roadside sign and encased on building) and Plastic Backlit sign
Sign - media: Steel and plastic.
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic back lit portion
Sign environment: This is located downtown just a few blocks south of Fremont, next to Tod Motor Motel.
Sign - date of installation: 1963
Sign - thematic influences: This sign shows 50's/60's trend with the base of the sign extending out of the main worded portion of the sign. That trend is very common among many other signs across the valley from the same era.
Survey - research locations: Dino's website http://dinoslv.com/new/, Recorder's office, Assessor's office, Dino's site visit and discussion with owner Kristin.
Survey - research notes: This location is .35 acres and was constructed 1957. The Dino's website contains an archive of images of their bar and owners from the last 50 years, and some of the images show older photos of their sign.
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-11
Sign keywords: Neon; Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Pole sign
Mixed Content
Thomas P. O'Farrell Papers
The Thomas P. O'Farrell Papers (1900-1999) are comprised of scientific reports collected by Thomas O’Farrell over the course of his career studying wildlife ecology, particularly its connection to nuclear radiation. Materials include original, reprinted, and photocopied editions of scientific reports on animal and plant life around the world, focusing primarily on the Mojave and Great Basin Deserts, Alaska, Washington, and the Pacific Ocean. Reports come from institutions including the Desert Research Institute (DRI), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA), and the United States Department of Energy (DOE), as well as affiliated universities.
Archival Collection
Evelyn Stuckey Papers
The Evelyn Stuckey Papers date from 1940 to 1972 and document Stuckey's experience as a physical education teacher at Las Vegas High School (LVHS) in Las Vegas, Nevada and founder of the LVHS Rhythmettes dance group. The collection contains personal and educational materials from Stuckey’s college years, personal correspondence, and photographs. It also contains materials documenting the Rhythmettes' activities including travel plans, posters and fliers, news clippings, and group rosters.
Archival Collection
Sidney R. Whitmore Collection
The Sidney R. Whitmore Collection (approximately 1885-1970) contains land deeds and other documents about Mount Diablo, Nevada; documents detailing parts of his family history; and eight framed paintings of landscapes and portraits.
Archival Collection