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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.
Image
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.
Image
Photographs of McDonald's sign, 2800 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Description
Daytime and evening views of a McDonald's sign on the Strip at 2800 S Las Vegas Blvd. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 2800 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: Located just south of the Westward Ho's south parking lot is the third and northern most version of the sign. Unlike its other two relatives, this sign is solely designated to the McDonald's establishment. It is located in a small landscaped area directly east of the front of the restaurant. This section essentially comprises the front of the establishment itself. It stands tall on the west side of the strip facing north south.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 4 Lighting 4 It is noted that the structural integrity is intact. Certain elements of lighting are out or not working but still present. The surface appears to be slightly deteriorating at this point.
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The odd member of the three McDonald's pylons is different in almost every aspect, considering the similarity of the first two to each other. The sign construction itself is a more sleek, opting to integrate the entire structure into a much smoother design than the previous design as well. The other two cabinets are impressive indeed, but the placement of the cabinets is less clumsy than the others. The pole itself is thinner, painted brown steel flat post, which rises into the air, recording a small rectangular anomaly in the vertical line, which is used to support a yellow plastic internally lit cabinet. The four-sided shape swells out on each side, but transitions smoothly as the vertical shot continues upward. The brown post T's off to either side actually stretching to the widest point of the sign. It then grows vertically once again to create the sides of the cabinet. The shape that the brown portion creates is now more akin to a "U" shape rather than a "T." The entire surface of the pylon which is designated brown in laced with incandescent bulbs. Inside this U shape the face of the cabinet is designated red, and set higher above the surface plain of the face. The red fluted steel face is adorned with vertical neon bars and white channel letters floating above the surface. The channel letters are filled with bars of white neon. The giant golden arches break up the top edge of the red cabinet. The arches themselves are yellow painted steel, whose face are encrusted with yellow incandescent bulbs as well as border of yellow neon which floats around the edge of the arch. The tops and bottom surfaces are finished in a reflective, gold, polished metal. A channel runs up the center of the post and a yellow tube of neon glows as a centering stripe. This stripe actually ties in the internally lit yellow sign, with the crowning arches, quite well.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: Oscillating, flashing
Notes: The white incandescent bulbs on the face of the sign illuminate in a chasing pattern from bottom to top, leaving all the bulbs illuminated in it's path, oscillating as they are illuminated. The post vertically illuminates, and when the bulbs reach the top of the brown arms of the U shape, the vertical, red, neon bars on the red portion of the cabinet, chase in simultaneously from either side. They meet in the middle leaving all the bars and thus the cabinet fully illuminated. The cabinet stays lit for a few moments, then the bars curtain out from the middle, back to either side, leaving the bars dark in the animations path. Once they reach the edge, the incandescent bulbs follow suit, and chase back down to the bottom, leaving all the bulbs dark it the chasing path. The yellow incandescent bulbs, which are on the face of the golden arches, constantly oscillate during the animations sequence.
Sign environment: As compared to the other two properties, the environment of this McDonald's is quite different. The other two were integrated into the strip mall design, utilizing the pylon itself for other advertisements as well. Even though the McDonald's pylon stood out as the dominant figure among their surroundings, They still felt as if they were part of a whole as well. The environment, which the northern pylon portrays, also reflects its surroundings as well. This environment of the Westward Ho, the Stardust, the Riviera, and the Circus Circus, bring about a certain garish nature in its design that fits in present in the McDonald's pylon.( see artistic significance and theme for further).
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the McDonald's establishment is in the realm of the well-established McDonalds corporation. The golden arches, and solid red hue, have become synonymous with the name "McDonald's," and is an image, which has been communicated to the masses of people for half a century. It is an icon that is associated with America all over the world. McDonalds has created it's own realm and thematic influence over the years from all of it's extensive advertisements and marketing. Therefore, the theme of the establishment's signs draws from itself and the world, which the name has created. Being one of the most commonly seen images in America, this sign is tailored to fit into the illustrious, illuminative properties held on the Las Vegas Strip. It fits into the category of everyday images and businesses dressed up for Las Vegas, which include, Arabia's, Arco AM/PM, Walgreen's, and Fatburger.
Sign - artistic significance: Besides what is mentioned in the above paragraph about the above nature of the iconography of the said logo, this particular sign draws off of its surroundings to display certain aesthetic elements.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Oscillating; Flashing; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint
Site address: 2800 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: Located just south of the Westward Ho's south parking lot is the third and northern most version of the sign. Unlike its other two relatives, this sign is solely designated to the McDonald's establishment. It is located in a small landscaped area directly east of the front of the restaurant. This section essentially comprises the front of the establishment itself. It stands tall on the west side of the strip facing north south.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 4 Lighting 4 It is noted that the structural integrity is intact. Certain elements of lighting are out or not working but still present. The surface appears to be slightly deteriorating at this point.
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The odd member of the three McDonald's pylons is different in almost every aspect, considering the similarity of the first two to each other. The sign construction itself is a more sleek, opting to integrate the entire structure into a much smoother design than the previous design as well. The other two cabinets are impressive indeed, but the placement of the cabinets is less clumsy than the others. The pole itself is thinner, painted brown steel flat post, which rises into the air, recording a small rectangular anomaly in the vertical line, which is used to support a yellow plastic internally lit cabinet. The four-sided shape swells out on each side, but transitions smoothly as the vertical shot continues upward. The brown post T's off to either side actually stretching to the widest point of the sign. It then grows vertically once again to create the sides of the cabinet. The shape that the brown portion creates is now more akin to a "U" shape rather than a "T." The entire surface of the pylon which is designated brown in laced with incandescent bulbs. Inside this U shape the face of the cabinet is designated red, and set higher above the surface plain of the face. The red fluted steel face is adorned with vertical neon bars and white channel letters floating above the surface. The channel letters are filled with bars of white neon. The giant golden arches break up the top edge of the red cabinet. The arches themselves are yellow painted steel, whose face are encrusted with yellow incandescent bulbs as well as border of yellow neon which floats around the edge of the arch. The tops and bottom surfaces are finished in a reflective, gold, polished metal. A channel runs up the center of the post and a yellow tube of neon glows as a centering stripe. This stripe actually ties in the internally lit yellow sign, with the crowning arches, quite well.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: Oscillating, flashing
Notes: The white incandescent bulbs on the face of the sign illuminate in a chasing pattern from bottom to top, leaving all the bulbs illuminated in it's path, oscillating as they are illuminated. The post vertically illuminates, and when the bulbs reach the top of the brown arms of the U shape, the vertical, red, neon bars on the red portion of the cabinet, chase in simultaneously from either side. They meet in the middle leaving all the bars and thus the cabinet fully illuminated. The cabinet stays lit for a few moments, then the bars curtain out from the middle, back to either side, leaving the bars dark in the animations path. Once they reach the edge, the incandescent bulbs follow suit, and chase back down to the bottom, leaving all the bulbs dark it the chasing path. The yellow incandescent bulbs, which are on the face of the golden arches, constantly oscillate during the animations sequence.
Sign environment: As compared to the other two properties, the environment of this McDonald's is quite different. The other two were integrated into the strip mall design, utilizing the pylon itself for other advertisements as well. Even though the McDonald's pylon stood out as the dominant figure among their surroundings, They still felt as if they were part of a whole as well. The environment, which the northern pylon portrays, also reflects its surroundings as well. This environment of the Westward Ho, the Stardust, the Riviera, and the Circus Circus, bring about a certain garish nature in its design that fits in present in the McDonald's pylon.( see artistic significance and theme for further).
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the McDonald's establishment is in the realm of the well-established McDonalds corporation. The golden arches, and solid red hue, have become synonymous with the name "McDonald's," and is an image, which has been communicated to the masses of people for half a century. It is an icon that is associated with America all over the world. McDonalds has created it's own realm and thematic influence over the years from all of it's extensive advertisements and marketing. Therefore, the theme of the establishment's signs draws from itself and the world, which the name has created. Being one of the most commonly seen images in America, this sign is tailored to fit into the illustrious, illuminative properties held on the Las Vegas Strip. It fits into the category of everyday images and businesses dressed up for Las Vegas, which include, Arabia's, Arco AM/PM, Walgreen's, and Fatburger.
Sign - artistic significance: Besides what is mentioned in the above paragraph about the above nature of the iconography of the said logo, this particular sign draws off of its surroundings to display certain aesthetic elements.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Oscillating; Flashing; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint
Mixed Content
Photographs of McDonald's sign, 3999 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Description
Daytime and evening views of a McDonald's sign on the Strip at 3999 S Las Vegas Blvd. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 3999 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: The McDonald's pylons sits in the parking lot for a Strip mall, located in the South end of the Las Vegas strip. The sign sits northwest of the actual McDonald's Restaurant and faces north south. It also act as the main advertising pylon for other shops which are located in the strip mall. The pylon consists of four cabinets including the McDonald's main marquee cabinet. The cabinet directly below the McDonald's crown reads "Golf" and advertises for a golf store the other two are internally lit rectangular cabinet with advertisements for Las Vegas Clubwear, Panda Express, a shoe store which reads "Boots and Wide Shoes", and for the local radio station 97.5 KVEG.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 4 Lighting 4
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The pylon located on the east side of Las Vegas Boulevard South, and is facing north/south. The structure contains four double-faced cabinets, two of which are internally lit, while the other pair are steel cabinets containing neon and incandescent bulb treatments. The entire structure of the sign itself is essentially a narrow, square, vertical pole, with three cabinets cutting transversely the horizontal plane of the design, and integrated into it's construction. The surface of the sign is stucco with four bars of vertical neon rising vertically up the face of the pole where there are breaks between the internally lit cabinets. The tubing starts as a purple color but transforms into a red as it reached the top and spreads out into the supporting T form, which supports the McDonalds cabinet. The cabinet itself is constructed of a red painted steel, with the arches made of yellow painted steel. The letters that spell McDonalds is spelled in white channel letters, with the sides of the cabinet adorned with miniature golden arches logo. Red incandescent bulbs are laden across the face of the sign. The crowning features of the sign are the golden arches, which are wrapped with repeating bands of golden neon The each face of the cabinet is lined with red neon tubing. The "M" emblem created by the miniature golden arches are lined with the corresponding. yellow neon. The cabinet just below the main attraction is a horizontal rectangular cabinet made of steel and painted green with rounded ends. Yellow channel letters spell the word golf and occupy the majority of the center of the sign. Flanking the text is a three-piece graphic design pattern representing a golf ball and two other geometric elements. It is not obvious what the symbol represents but its is comprised of two non-descriptive shapes in yellow and a circular shape in green. All of the yellow shapes are lined on the interior border with yellow neon. The circular shape is internally lit, with the face matching the shape of the cabinet in color. The cabinet below the golf cabinet is an internally lit, double backed cabinet advertising for a local radio station on the south face of the sign. The black script, set upon a field of various red and orange blended tones, reads the call letters KVEG 97.5, with a white oval backing up the letters and centering the red field. The north face contains a back lit yellow and red advertisement for the Panda Express restaurant. The third and last cabinet closest to the ground is internally lit with different advertising on either side as well. The south face of the cabinet is a three sectioned graphically treated advertisements for the Panda Express, Las Vegas Club Wear, and the Boots and Wide Shoes text for Leonard's Wide shoes which is what dominates the north side of the pylon. The face of the blue steel cabinet is lined with blue neon. At the bottom of the pylon there is a small plaque used to illuminate the blue and white address plate.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, oscillating
Notes: The incandescent bulbs found on the face of the sign are constantly oscillating at a quick pace. The neon bands which wrap around the golden arches, start in the very middle at the bottom and chase each other upward from the center, leaving every bar illuminated in it's path, until the entire arch itself. Once the arches rapidly fill up, the entire arch flashes off, on, then off again, before restarting the entire sequence.
Sign environment: Headed south, across a small drive on the east side of Las Vegas Blvd from the McDonalds, is a shiny, new fueling station and mini mart, brightly illuminated, creating a constant current of arriving and departing travelers with the McDonalds restaurant. In relation to the larger scale Luxor and Mandalay Bay, the presence, which the McDonalds environment portrays, is like the smaller satellite's to the standing vision of new development on the Strip. Instead of this sign being evidence of what was and was is dying on the southern en of the strip it is actually evidence of the modern development and new life welling up.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the McDonald's establishment is in the realm of the well-established McDonalds corporation. The golden arches, and solid red hue, have become synonymous with the name " McDonald's," and is an image, which has been communicated to the masses of people for half a century. It is an icon, which is associated with America all over the world. McDonalds has created it's own realm and thematic influence over the years from all of it's extensive advertisements and marketing. Therefore, the theme of the establishment's signs draws from itself and the world that the name has created. Being one of the most commonly seen images in America, this sign is tailored to fit into the illustrious, illuminative properties held on the Las Vegas Strip. It fits into the category of everyday images and businesses dressed up for Las Vegas, which include, Arby's, Arco AM/PM, Walgreen's, and Fatburger.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Oscillating; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint
Site address: 3999 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: The McDonald's pylons sits in the parking lot for a Strip mall, located in the South end of the Las Vegas strip. The sign sits northwest of the actual McDonald's Restaurant and faces north south. It also act as the main advertising pylon for other shops which are located in the strip mall. The pylon consists of four cabinets including the McDonald's main marquee cabinet. The cabinet directly below the McDonald's crown reads "Golf" and advertises for a golf store the other two are internally lit rectangular cabinet with advertisements for Las Vegas Clubwear, Panda Express, a shoe store which reads "Boots and Wide Shoes", and for the local radio station 97.5 KVEG.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 4 Lighting 4
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: The pylon located on the east side of Las Vegas Boulevard South, and is facing north/south. The structure contains four double-faced cabinets, two of which are internally lit, while the other pair are steel cabinets containing neon and incandescent bulb treatments. The entire structure of the sign itself is essentially a narrow, square, vertical pole, with three cabinets cutting transversely the horizontal plane of the design, and integrated into it's construction. The surface of the sign is stucco with four bars of vertical neon rising vertically up the face of the pole where there are breaks between the internally lit cabinets. The tubing starts as a purple color but transforms into a red as it reached the top and spreads out into the supporting T form, which supports the McDonalds cabinet. The cabinet itself is constructed of a red painted steel, with the arches made of yellow painted steel. The letters that spell McDonalds is spelled in white channel letters, with the sides of the cabinet adorned with miniature golden arches logo. Red incandescent bulbs are laden across the face of the sign. The crowning features of the sign are the golden arches, which are wrapped with repeating bands of golden neon The each face of the cabinet is lined with red neon tubing. The "M" emblem created by the miniature golden arches are lined with the corresponding. yellow neon. The cabinet just below the main attraction is a horizontal rectangular cabinet made of steel and painted green with rounded ends. Yellow channel letters spell the word golf and occupy the majority of the center of the sign. Flanking the text is a three-piece graphic design pattern representing a golf ball and two other geometric elements. It is not obvious what the symbol represents but its is comprised of two non-descriptive shapes in yellow and a circular shape in green. All of the yellow shapes are lined on the interior border with yellow neon. The circular shape is internally lit, with the face matching the shape of the cabinet in color. The cabinet below the golf cabinet is an internally lit, double backed cabinet advertising for a local radio station on the south face of the sign. The black script, set upon a field of various red and orange blended tones, reads the call letters KVEG 97.5, with a white oval backing up the letters and centering the red field. The north face contains a back lit yellow and red advertisement for the Panda Express restaurant. The third and last cabinet closest to the ground is internally lit with different advertising on either side as well. The south face of the cabinet is a three sectioned graphically treated advertisements for the Panda Express, Las Vegas Club Wear, and the Boots and Wide Shoes text for Leonard's Wide shoes which is what dominates the north side of the pylon. The face of the blue steel cabinet is lined with blue neon. At the bottom of the pylon there is a small plaque used to illuminate the blue and white address plate.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, oscillating
Notes: The incandescent bulbs found on the face of the sign are constantly oscillating at a quick pace. The neon bands which wrap around the golden arches, start in the very middle at the bottom and chase each other upward from the center, leaving every bar illuminated in it's path, until the entire arch itself. Once the arches rapidly fill up, the entire arch flashes off, on, then off again, before restarting the entire sequence.
Sign environment: Headed south, across a small drive on the east side of Las Vegas Blvd from the McDonalds, is a shiny, new fueling station and mini mart, brightly illuminated, creating a constant current of arriving and departing travelers with the McDonalds restaurant. In relation to the larger scale Luxor and Mandalay Bay, the presence, which the McDonalds environment portrays, is like the smaller satellite's to the standing vision of new development on the Strip. Instead of this sign being evidence of what was and was is dying on the southern en of the strip it is actually evidence of the modern development and new life welling up.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the McDonald's establishment is in the realm of the well-established McDonalds corporation. The golden arches, and solid red hue, have become synonymous with the name " McDonald's," and is an image, which has been communicated to the masses of people for half a century. It is an icon, which is associated with America all over the world. McDonalds has created it's own realm and thematic influence over the years from all of it's extensive advertisements and marketing. Therefore, the theme of the establishment's signs draws from itself and the world that the name has created. Being one of the most commonly seen images in America, this sign is tailored to fit into the illustrious, illuminative properties held on the Las Vegas Strip. It fits into the category of everyday images and businesses dressed up for Las Vegas, which include, Arby's, Arco AM/PM, Walgreen's, and Fatburger.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Oscillating; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint
Mixed Content
Photographs of Las Vegas Club signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), June 24, 2016
Date
2016-06-24 to 2017-09-02
Description
The permanently closed Las Vegas Club Casino sits at 18 Fremont Street at the Fremont Street Experience. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survery Data Sheet.
Site name: Las Vegas Club (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 18 Fremont St
Sign owner: Las Vegas Club
Sign details: The Las Vegas Club originally opened on the opposite side of Fremont than it is today in the 1930's. It held one of the first few Neon signs on Fremont which was installed around ca.1930. In 1949 the Las Vegas Club reopened in its new location on Main and Fremont Street, and once held a large Baseball Hall of Fame. It has closed down in 2015 and demolition of the building began in 2017.
Sign condition: 4- Signage was working well and still had bright paint before the building had undergone demolition
Sign form: Pylon and architectural
Sign-specific description: They convey sports themes throughout their signs. There was a bronze-type sculptural baseball player. Large Neon and incandescent sign that wrapped around the whole building. Though above each entrance there is a plain graphic lettering with neon surrounding the letters.
Sign - type of display: Neon and Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel and bronze-type material (baseball player)
Sign - non-neon treatments: Sculptural element and incandescent
Sign animation: Flasher for incandescent
Sign environment: This location is on the north corner of Main and Fremont St. It is just north of the Golden Gate and across the street from the Plaza. It also had the Golden Goose, Glitter Gulch and Mermaids to the East of it.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign designer: Brian "Buzz" Lemming
Sign - date of installation: Circa 1960's
Sign - thematic influences: They convey sports/baseball themes within their signage which showcases the theme of their Baseball Hall of Fame.
Survey - research locations: Neon Museum Tour Hand book, Vintage Vegas http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/Las+Vegas+Club Images, Charles Barnard The Magic Sign.
Survey - research notes: The original Las Vegas Club in the 1930's had the tallest tallest sign in downtown Las Vegas until it was superseded by the Lucky Casino sign about a decade later.
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-02
Sign keywords: Architectural; Steel; Sculptural; Incandescent; Flashing; Neon; Bullnose
Site name: Las Vegas Club (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 18 Fremont St
Sign owner: Las Vegas Club
Sign details: The Las Vegas Club originally opened on the opposite side of Fremont than it is today in the 1930's. It held one of the first few Neon signs on Fremont which was installed around ca.1930. In 1949 the Las Vegas Club reopened in its new location on Main and Fremont Street, and once held a large Baseball Hall of Fame. It has closed down in 2015 and demolition of the building began in 2017.
Sign condition: 4- Signage was working well and still had bright paint before the building had undergone demolition
Sign form: Pylon and architectural
Sign-specific description: They convey sports themes throughout their signs. There was a bronze-type sculptural baseball player. Large Neon and incandescent sign that wrapped around the whole building. Though above each entrance there is a plain graphic lettering with neon surrounding the letters.
Sign - type of display: Neon and Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel and bronze-type material (baseball player)
Sign - non-neon treatments: Sculptural element and incandescent
Sign animation: Flasher for incandescent
Sign environment: This location is on the north corner of Main and Fremont St. It is just north of the Golden Gate and across the street from the Plaza. It also had the Golden Goose, Glitter Gulch and Mermaids to the East of it.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign designer: Brian "Buzz" Lemming
Sign - date of installation: Circa 1960's
Sign - thematic influences: They convey sports/baseball themes within their signage which showcases the theme of their Baseball Hall of Fame.
Survey - research locations: Neon Museum Tour Hand book, Vintage Vegas http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/Las+Vegas+Club Images, Charles Barnard The Magic Sign.
Survey - research notes: The original Las Vegas Club in the 1930's had the tallest tallest sign in downtown Las Vegas until it was superseded by the Lucky Casino sign about a decade later.
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-02
Sign keywords: Architectural; Steel; Sculptural; Incandescent; Flashing; Neon; Bullnose
Mixed Content
Newspaper clippings and publications, 1930-1992
Level of Description
Series
Scope and Contents
The YESCO newspaper clippings and publications series (1930-1992) consist of various newspaper articles and publications about YESCO or of professional interest to YESCO. Many newspaper clippings relate to YESCO’s neon sign work in Las Vegas, Nevada. Publications include issues from the 1930s of the
Archival Collection
Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) Corporate Records
To request this item in person:
Collection Number: MS-00403
Collection Name: Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) Corporate Records
Box/Folder: N/A
Collection Name: Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) Corporate Records
Box/Folder: N/A
Archival Component
Photographs of Casino Royale and Denny's signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Description
Daytime and nighttime views of the Casino Royale and Denny's signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 3419 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Tom Elardi
Sign details: The Casino Royale is located on the east side of the strip facing west, just south of the Venetian. The smaller establishment shares its space with a Denny's restaurant, which was present before the Royale was opened. The exterior is adorned with a stylized, European-esque, architecture, including apparent windows, domes, towers, and a cohesive landscape of connected buildings. The exterior of the Royale is a brightly lit facade of white raceways, lined with incandescent bulbs, boxing in vibrantly toned walls, and subdued neon. The colors correspond with those seen in the sign itself, as well the neon placed inside the edges of the windows. One section displays purple, the next a teal color, next a blue, then a red. Total signage of the property includes a two LED screens, one on the west side of the building, and the other housed in the logo cabinet on the south west corner of the property. Two logo cabinets, one in the aforementioned spot, and the second facing west over the main entrance on the west side of the building. Two double-faced cabinets lie on the northern end of the west side of the building, advertising for Denny's restaurant. Two small logos signs are also placed on the west face of the structure, for Caffe Trilussa.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: Upon the southwest corner of the building, a blue cabinet houses an LED screen in the rectangular body of the cabinet. The cabinet continues upward where the blue steel face supports white channel letters bordered in red neon and filled with incandescent bulbs. The text is written in two lines. The cabinet continues upward and is transformed into the sculpted design of a pink, purple, red, and blue crown on channel faced scrolls and sweeping shapes. The interiors of each section are lined with neon of a corresponding color to the paint treatments. Around to the west side of the building, the same style of text and scrolling adornments are used in a different marquee sign denoting the main entrance to the establishment. The same style of text seen on the southwestern sign is present with the same pattern of scroll work, crafted in a cabinet style, with channel faces. The major difference between the two signs is the size. The main entrance sign is much larger than the corner sign, as well as not having a LED screen incorporated below the text. The western sign possesses more scroll work below the text instead. The neon treatments are the same, as well as the incandescent bulbs, inside of the text. The lower roofline of the property plays host to the small but noticeable signage for Caffe Trilussa. Upon a extended surface of the roof line, two separate signs for the establishment are present. The roof shape is three sided with the signage on the northwest and southwest sides of the extension. Inside a section of the entablature created with white raceways, brown channel letters, spell the text "Trilussa," stretching across the length of the surface. The brown letters sit upon a yellow surface and are filled with incandescent bulbs, which are as wide as the channel letters themselves. Spelled in bent neon tubing, the word "Caffe" is spelled in all capital letters, sitting just above the left hand side of the title text. The right of the collection is occupied by a graphically treated, two-dimensional cut-out of a palm tree. The palm tree is treated on the surface with neon tubing as well. The tubing glows green and a gold corresponding to the graphical treatments. At the northern end of the property, two signs sit outside facing north, south. The double backed, internally lit cabinets represent the advertisements for the Denny's restaurant attached to the Royale. The first is at ground level outside the main entrance of the restaurant, the six sided, green cabinet, sports a yellow plastic face with red graphic text, reading "Denny's" in script text. Around the border of the face, incandescent bulbs run in a raceway pattern, and are covered in a plastic sheath. An angular cabinet rests on top of the other cabinet, creating a shallow peak. The internally lit, white face reads "Casino Royale" in black text. The same cabinet can be seen cantilevering off of the west side of the building above its partner sign. The cabinets are of identical design except for there is no plastic sheath covering the raceway of incandescent bulbs, and the plastic face of the main section of the cabinet is treated in different graphics. The script reads "Denny's" similar red script, but with a different background.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, oscillating
Notes: The incandescent bulbs inside the channel letters of the main text oscillate, while all incandescent bulbs on the raceways along the building chase each other also. The incandescent bulbs, which surround the Denny's cabinet, also chase each other.
Sign environment: The Casino Royale stands independently on it's own even though it is surrounded on all sides by casino giants. To the north stands the Venetian, to the South stands Harrah's, and the Mirage lies west across the street. Yes, the property itself seems to be dwarfed by the immense neighbors, but the ultra bright, clear external signage and facade create a charming and bright environment that announces its presence.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: 1992
Sign - date of redesign/move: The Royale was once the Nob hill, which was closed in 1980. It was reopened in 1992 as the Casino Royale.
Sign - thematic influences: The theme seems to be tied to a European theme with the French term "Royale" in the title. The scrollwork is reminiscent of confetti or Mardi Gras theme. Such a combination of elements to suggest a theme is seen in the Harrah's property also. The party themed reminiscent sculpted cabinets are also reminiscent of the Fleur de Li. Believe it or not, the property is tied to many other larger, corporate, properties in one respect regarding its facades. The facade of a town or city, shrunken down and stylized into the facade of the property is present all over the Strip. Such properties which utilize this technique, to one degree or the next, include: New York New York, Oshea's, Treasure Island, Bellagio, The Venetian, The Luxor, The Tropicana, and the Excalibur.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Oscillating; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic
Site address: 3419 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Tom Elardi
Sign details: The Casino Royale is located on the east side of the strip facing west, just south of the Venetian. The smaller establishment shares its space with a Denny's restaurant, which was present before the Royale was opened. The exterior is adorned with a stylized, European-esque, architecture, including apparent windows, domes, towers, and a cohesive landscape of connected buildings. The exterior of the Royale is a brightly lit facade of white raceways, lined with incandescent bulbs, boxing in vibrantly toned walls, and subdued neon. The colors correspond with those seen in the sign itself, as well the neon placed inside the edges of the windows. One section displays purple, the next a teal color, next a blue, then a red. Total signage of the property includes a two LED screens, one on the west side of the building, and the other housed in the logo cabinet on the south west corner of the property. Two logo cabinets, one in the aforementioned spot, and the second facing west over the main entrance on the west side of the building. Two double-faced cabinets lie on the northern end of the west side of the building, advertising for Denny's restaurant. Two small logos signs are also placed on the west face of the structure, for Caffe Trilussa.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: Upon the southwest corner of the building, a blue cabinet houses an LED screen in the rectangular body of the cabinet. The cabinet continues upward where the blue steel face supports white channel letters bordered in red neon and filled with incandescent bulbs. The text is written in two lines. The cabinet continues upward and is transformed into the sculpted design of a pink, purple, red, and blue crown on channel faced scrolls and sweeping shapes. The interiors of each section are lined with neon of a corresponding color to the paint treatments. Around to the west side of the building, the same style of text and scrolling adornments are used in a different marquee sign denoting the main entrance to the establishment. The same style of text seen on the southwestern sign is present with the same pattern of scroll work, crafted in a cabinet style, with channel faces. The major difference between the two signs is the size. The main entrance sign is much larger than the corner sign, as well as not having a LED screen incorporated below the text. The western sign possesses more scroll work below the text instead. The neon treatments are the same, as well as the incandescent bulbs, inside of the text. The lower roofline of the property plays host to the small but noticeable signage for Caffe Trilussa. Upon a extended surface of the roof line, two separate signs for the establishment are present. The roof shape is three sided with the signage on the northwest and southwest sides of the extension. Inside a section of the entablature created with white raceways, brown channel letters, spell the text "Trilussa," stretching across the length of the surface. The brown letters sit upon a yellow surface and are filled with incandescent bulbs, which are as wide as the channel letters themselves. Spelled in bent neon tubing, the word "Caffe" is spelled in all capital letters, sitting just above the left hand side of the title text. The right of the collection is occupied by a graphically treated, two-dimensional cut-out of a palm tree. The palm tree is treated on the surface with neon tubing as well. The tubing glows green and a gold corresponding to the graphical treatments. At the northern end of the property, two signs sit outside facing north, south. The double backed, internally lit cabinets represent the advertisements for the Denny's restaurant attached to the Royale. The first is at ground level outside the main entrance of the restaurant, the six sided, green cabinet, sports a yellow plastic face with red graphic text, reading "Denny's" in script text. Around the border of the face, incandescent bulbs run in a raceway pattern, and are covered in a plastic sheath. An angular cabinet rests on top of the other cabinet, creating a shallow peak. The internally lit, white face reads "Casino Royale" in black text. The same cabinet can be seen cantilevering off of the west side of the building above its partner sign. The cabinets are of identical design except for there is no plastic sheath covering the raceway of incandescent bulbs, and the plastic face of the main section of the cabinet is treated in different graphics. The script reads "Denny's" similar red script, but with a different background.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, oscillating
Notes: The incandescent bulbs inside the channel letters of the main text oscillate, while all incandescent bulbs on the raceways along the building chase each other also. The incandescent bulbs, which surround the Denny's cabinet, also chase each other.
Sign environment: The Casino Royale stands independently on it's own even though it is surrounded on all sides by casino giants. To the north stands the Venetian, to the South stands Harrah's, and the Mirage lies west across the street. Yes, the property itself seems to be dwarfed by the immense neighbors, but the ultra bright, clear external signage and facade create a charming and bright environment that announces its presence.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - date of installation: 1992
Sign - date of redesign/move: The Royale was once the Nob hill, which was closed in 1980. It was reopened in 1992 as the Casino Royale.
Sign - thematic influences: The theme seems to be tied to a European theme with the French term "Royale" in the title. The scrollwork is reminiscent of confetti or Mardi Gras theme. Such a combination of elements to suggest a theme is seen in the Harrah's property also. The party themed reminiscent sculpted cabinets are also reminiscent of the Fleur de Li. Believe it or not, the property is tied to many other larger, corporate, properties in one respect regarding its facades. The facade of a town or city, shrunken down and stylized into the facade of the property is present all over the Strip. Such properties which utilize this technique, to one degree or the next, include: New York New York, Oshea's, Treasure Island, Bellagio, The Venetian, The Luxor, The Tropicana, and the Excalibur.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Oscillating; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic
Mixed Content
Photographs of Slots a Fun signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
2017-09-01
Description
Photos show Slots a Fun signs at night and during the day. Two surveys were conducted to gather information about this sign. One was conducted in 2002 and one was conducted in 2017. PDFs are available for both surveys. See the 2017 survey PDF for additional information that is not included in the object description.
Site address: 2880 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Mandalay Resort Group
Sign details: Slots a' Fun is located on the south side of the Circus Circus parking lot, but it is on residence now. The small building stretches west with the mouth of the building being an open mouth facing the east. The external signage is located on the elongated north face of the building, and the gaping east entrance. The north side is comprised of gold painted, crafted raceways with various text signage. The entrance is adorned with various internally lit cabinets as well as a marquee adorned pediment, located within the front face of the entrances overhang. The entrance is considerably small, sandwiched between flamboyant properties such as the Westward Ho and the Circus Circus.
Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 4 Lighting 4 The structural integrity is good as well the lighting. The surface is starting to show some signs of wear, but not very much at all.
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: The main entrance faces east and contains an interesting array of signage. The front is highlighted by two giant pillars. The are uniquely designed as inverted, tapered cones supporting the barrel vaulted cantilevered overhang. Near the top portion of the column a backlit message box cuts through the pole dividing it into two apparent sections. Bordered on all edges with gold polished raceways with incandescent bulbs, the box is animated in a chasing pattern. A top the poles on the north and south sides a polished aluminum, circular cabinet, has red, backlit plastic containing the words "Slots A' Fun" in white text. These cabinets are outlined in red neon. The edges of the apparent recess are lined with incandescent bulbs Each vault contains a long bank of large incandescent sphere's, arranged in single file. Along the front of the cantilevered overhang we have an entablature running the length of building. Gold raceways run horizontally along the top and the bottom with rows of triple incandescent bulbs. In the center of the pediment, white channel letters painted red on the inside, with incandescent bulbs filling the interior space of all of the characters. Each letter is also outlined in neon. The rest of the interior space of the facade is sculpted raised circular pattern with incandescent bulbs placed in the centers where the repeated panels connect. Under that, a polished gold aluminum banner with various assorted neon letters and advertisements is displayed. Since the "Slots A' Fun" used to be part of the Circus Circus it is closely integrated into the environment and even with the signage. Upon the northeast corner of the building a sign for the Circus Circus is perched on the top of the roofline facing north/south. Facade is sculpted raised circular pattern with incandescent bulbs placed in the centers where the repeated panels connect. Moving around to the north face of the building, an array of signage is present headed west along the wall. Along the stucco facade we have overhangs of different dimensions. On these three overhangs we have gold channels in the shape of a continuous curly cue or rope shape. These raceway channels are lined on the inside with incandescent bulbs. The first one, furthest east, is a good length, and smaller in height than the others. The pattern loops eight times along the front. One single loop of the rope shape is located on the return width of the overhang as well. No text is incorporated with this overhang. The second curling raceway is over a wider, shallower depth. The overhang, is much larger in size and supports cursive pan channel letters painted red and outlined with red neon. The letters spell "Casino" in a continuous script text. The third overhang is the largest of the trio, and serves as the main entrance for this face of the building. It is in direct proximity to the actual Circus Circus building and the blazing signage, and porte cochere. This overhang is lower to the ground than the other two but projects further out. Channel letters spell "Slots A' Fun" in the front face of the overhang located in the center. The channel letters are painted red and lined on the interiors with red neon as well. This text is block instead of script. Flanking either side of the text there is the curling channels. The face of the building rises upward from the ground and meets the bottom edge of the overhang, with a continuous radius vault. The surface of the wall is surfaced with a gold reflective material. Just below the text of the overhang is a red steel cabinet, that is internally lit. The red painted steel box has a red plastic with a red plastic face with white lettering. The block text reads "Entrance." The sides are sculpted with a radius space reduced out of the sides of the cabinet. The edges of the face are lined with incandescent bulbs. Below the cabinet a red, vinyl, awning extends out over the doors, and a pedestrian path. A small portion of the main structure still extends west with one more loop on the face of the building.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Masonry
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, oscillating
Notes: All of the raceways chase each other. This includes all of the different aspects which are lined with incandescent bulbs.
Sign environment: The Slots A Fun has the unique position of being in between the Westward Ho and the Circus Circus. It was at one time part of the Circus Circus, so it essentially blends in with its environment. The south side of the building literally resides touching the Westward Ho.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of Slots a Fun can be regarded as the heavy influence from its initial design based on the Circus Circus. In that respect it would be linked to a circus theme. The almost surrealistic swelling of the tile laden columns on the east face of the building as well as the curly cue raceways suggest a busy excitement usually associated with the extravaganza of the circus. To that end, the interaction with the Las Vegas environment would suggest the theme of a party. Such influence of the same element of theming can be seen in the umbrella shapes and chasing action of the neighboring Westward Ho. Several elements of the facade suggest different trends as well. The eastern overhang's vaulted dome is surfaced with the highly reflective polished gold aluminum. The entrance on the northern face incorporated with the surfacing with a golden reflective surface. The trend of using the reflective surface to further perpetuate the luminescence is used highly in the flanking properties. The use of the raceways is a unique function, not repeated on any other property.
Sign - artistic significance: Some unusual elements that have not been repeated can be found in this lesser-known example of sign art.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Oscillating; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Masonry; Graphics; Paint
Site address: 2880 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Mandalay Resort Group
Sign details: Slots a' Fun is located on the south side of the Circus Circus parking lot, but it is on residence now. The small building stretches west with the mouth of the building being an open mouth facing the east. The external signage is located on the elongated north face of the building, and the gaping east entrance. The north side is comprised of gold painted, crafted raceways with various text signage. The entrance is adorned with various internally lit cabinets as well as a marquee adorned pediment, located within the front face of the entrances overhang. The entrance is considerably small, sandwiched between flamboyant properties such as the Westward Ho and the Circus Circus.
Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 4 Lighting 4 The structural integrity is good as well the lighting. The surface is starting to show some signs of wear, but not very much at all.
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: The main entrance faces east and contains an interesting array of signage. The front is highlighted by two giant pillars. The are uniquely designed as inverted, tapered cones supporting the barrel vaulted cantilevered overhang. Near the top portion of the column a backlit message box cuts through the pole dividing it into two apparent sections. Bordered on all edges with gold polished raceways with incandescent bulbs, the box is animated in a chasing pattern. A top the poles on the north and south sides a polished aluminum, circular cabinet, has red, backlit plastic containing the words "Slots A' Fun" in white text. These cabinets are outlined in red neon. The edges of the apparent recess are lined with incandescent bulbs Each vault contains a long bank of large incandescent sphere's, arranged in single file. Along the front of the cantilevered overhang we have an entablature running the length of building. Gold raceways run horizontally along the top and the bottom with rows of triple incandescent bulbs. In the center of the pediment, white channel letters painted red on the inside, with incandescent bulbs filling the interior space of all of the characters. Each letter is also outlined in neon. The rest of the interior space of the facade is sculpted raised circular pattern with incandescent bulbs placed in the centers where the repeated panels connect. Under that, a polished gold aluminum banner with various assorted neon letters and advertisements is displayed. Since the "Slots A' Fun" used to be part of the Circus Circus it is closely integrated into the environment and even with the signage. Upon the northeast corner of the building a sign for the Circus Circus is perched on the top of the roofline facing north/south. Facade is sculpted raised circular pattern with incandescent bulbs placed in the centers where the repeated panels connect. Moving around to the north face of the building, an array of signage is present headed west along the wall. Along the stucco facade we have overhangs of different dimensions. On these three overhangs we have gold channels in the shape of a continuous curly cue or rope shape. These raceway channels are lined on the inside with incandescent bulbs. The first one, furthest east, is a good length, and smaller in height than the others. The pattern loops eight times along the front. One single loop of the rope shape is located on the return width of the overhang as well. No text is incorporated with this overhang. The second curling raceway is over a wider, shallower depth. The overhang, is much larger in size and supports cursive pan channel letters painted red and outlined with red neon. The letters spell "Casino" in a continuous script text. The third overhang is the largest of the trio, and serves as the main entrance for this face of the building. It is in direct proximity to the actual Circus Circus building and the blazing signage, and porte cochere. This overhang is lower to the ground than the other two but projects further out. Channel letters spell "Slots A' Fun" in the front face of the overhang located in the center. The channel letters are painted red and lined on the interiors with red neon as well. This text is block instead of script. Flanking either side of the text there is the curling channels. The face of the building rises upward from the ground and meets the bottom edge of the overhang, with a continuous radius vault. The surface of the wall is surfaced with a gold reflective material. Just below the text of the overhang is a red steel cabinet, that is internally lit. The red painted steel box has a red plastic with a red plastic face with white lettering. The block text reads "Entrance." The sides are sculpted with a radius space reduced out of the sides of the cabinet. The edges of the face are lined with incandescent bulbs. Below the cabinet a red, vinyl, awning extends out over the doors, and a pedestrian path. A small portion of the main structure still extends west with one more loop on the face of the building.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Masonry
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, oscillating
Notes: All of the raceways chase each other. This includes all of the different aspects which are lined with incandescent bulbs.
Sign environment: The Slots A Fun has the unique position of being in between the Westward Ho and the Circus Circus. It was at one time part of the Circus Circus, so it essentially blends in with its environment. The south side of the building literally resides touching the Westward Ho.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of Slots a Fun can be regarded as the heavy influence from its initial design based on the Circus Circus. In that respect it would be linked to a circus theme. The almost surrealistic swelling of the tile laden columns on the east face of the building as well as the curly cue raceways suggest a busy excitement usually associated with the extravaganza of the circus. To that end, the interaction with the Las Vegas environment would suggest the theme of a party. Such influence of the same element of theming can be seen in the umbrella shapes and chasing action of the neighboring Westward Ho. Several elements of the facade suggest different trends as well. The eastern overhang's vaulted dome is surfaced with the highly reflective polished gold aluminum. The entrance on the northern face incorporated with the surfacing with a golden reflective surface. The trend of using the reflective surface to further perpetuate the luminescence is used highly in the flanking properties. The use of the raceways is a unique function, not repeated on any other property.
Sign - artistic significance: Some unusual elements that have not been repeated can be found in this lesser-known example of sign art.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Oscillating; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Masonry; Graphics; Paint
Mixed Content
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