Search the Special Collections and Archives Portal
Search Results
Photographs of Battista's signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Description
Photos show Battista's signs at night. 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: 4041 Audrie St
Sign details: Battista's "hole in the wall" Italian restaurant is located in a small shopping mall on the corner of Audrie and Flamingo, just east of the strip. The actual establishment of Battista's faces east in the northwest corner of the shopping center. The pylon sign sits on the northwest corner of FlamingoRd and Audrie st., the entrance to the building is also adorned with neon signs as well. On the extreme north end of the property a pole sign for a general store also shares signage with Battista's.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: The pylon sign for Battista's is on the corner of Flamingo and Audrie, on the wet side of Audrie. It is a double- backed roadside pole sign with two cabinets, and an LED message center. The sign is a host of visual candy, laden with neon and incandescent bulbs. The upper portion of the sign is comprised of the larger cabinet, below that the LED message-center, then below that the smaller cabinet makes up the bottom of the sign. The top cabinet has sculpted edges created bulging edges as well as a round top. The two corners are stepped. The bottom of the sign is a flat horizontal edge. The surface of the sign is painted red. The majority of the sign's face is occupied by channel letters spelling "Battista's Italian Restaurant," in channel letters with red neon borders. Below that "Lounge," and then "Banquets" is spelled one on top of each other in yellow channel letters. Yellow neon in on the interior of the channels. Two tubes of green neon extend horizontally from each side of this text. On the far left and right-hand sides of the cabinet, green neon scrollwork adorn the space between the main text and the edge of the cabinet. Spelled in small painted letters above the main text, resides the phrase "hole in the wall. Yellow neon tubes spell the same text, hovering over the graphics. In the remaining space above this text and the top edge, purple and green neon are sculpted to appear as a bunch of grapes and their vines. The entire sign is bordered in gold polished raceways with incandescent bulbs. Below the main section of the cabinet is a tri-colored LED message center, running scrolling messages about the restaurant in red, white, and green, which are the colors of the Italian flag. The smaller cabinet below the message center has sculpted edges also, with the top edge being straight along the length of the message center. It is painted green. General store is spelled across the top of the sign in white channel letters with white neon on the interior. Graphically painted in red, below the white text, the words "groceries, beer wine, souvenirs, and slots" are overlayed with red neon. In the remaining space on the bottom of the cabinet a small logo for "Coors Light," is graphically painted and overlayed with corresponding neon. To the left and right of that two arrows point toward the property, painted in red then overlayed with red neon. Over the entrance to the building, a wooden A-frame shaped structure forms a cover over the main entrance to the restaurant. In an arched pattern on the wooden face of this awning, "Battista's" is spelled it it's specific text in channel lettering, filled with neon. Below that in green channel letters, in the same arched pattern, spell hole in the wall, and has green neon in the interior. On other side of the dual arched text two, channel designed scrollwork pieces are illuminated with yellow neon. On the far north end of the lot a pole sign is designated next to the general store that the main pylon advertises. The top of the sign is an internally lit cabinet with graphic treatments for the general store. Incandescent bulbs line the edge of the cabinet. Further down the pole a small back-lit, horizontal, rectangular cabinet advertises for the Battista's establishment. Below that a square, internally lit cabinet, has red and green graphical treatments reading "Fine Italian Cuisine." The last bit of signage on the pole is a small, internally lit cabinet, flag poled off of the east end of the pole with red neon spelling, "groceries 24 hrs." On the North side of the building another sign for Battista's is present.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Matrix; Backlit; LED
Sign - media: Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing
Notes: The raceways which run around the border of the surface of the sign, chase each other from right to left. The incandescent bulbs which surround the internally lit cabinet on the pole sign designated for the convenience store also chase each other.
Sign environment: The Battista's pylon share unique company when it comes to it's environment. East across Audrie, is the Bourbon Street Hotel Casino, while the extensive Bally's property resides south across Flamingo Dr. The small shopping center proves a break in the action of casino hotels. The pylon stands as a prominent figure on the corner of the lot. Just to the west of the pylon, on the same side of the street, is the original Flamingo pylon, preceding the Barbary Coast. If you continue north on Audrie, the Flamingo Hilton may be assessed through a drive to the west.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the facility centers around the theme of an Italian restaurant. The pylon's colors, and matrix message center are all in accordance with colors of the Italian flag, as well as the signage above the door. The graphics, and neon representations of grapes on the pylon reference the afore mentioned theme. The entrance to the facility is the A-framed roof-like structure wood structure, referencing a rustic cottage or facility. This is significant in the name "Hole in the wall," which the facility boasts.
Sign - artistic significance: The significance of the Battista's establishment fits in with other facilities on the Strip such as The Rosewood Grill, Alan Albert's, and the Peppermill. Considering that most dining establishments are located on the interior of the properties, these stand as excellent quality, intimate restaurants seen by and available to the pedestrian public. Like the everyday establishments dressed to fit in the Las Vegas Strip such as the neighboring Walgreens, Alan Albert's is a non-casino dressed up to fit in with the local surroundings. It is also unique in the fact that the establishment which dominates the space which it resides. Unlike Alan Albert's which is tucked down a narrow alley, it is spoken out loudly with a pylon sign, another pole sign and a wall sign as well. Both pole signs are reminiscent of old roadside motel signs.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Fascia; Pylon; Neon; Matrix; Backlit; LED; Steel; Paint; Graphics
Site address: 4041 Audrie St
Sign details: Battista's "hole in the wall" Italian restaurant is located in a small shopping mall on the corner of Audrie and Flamingo, just east of the strip. The actual establishment of Battista's faces east in the northwest corner of the shopping center. The pylon sign sits on the northwest corner of FlamingoRd and Audrie st., the entrance to the building is also adorned with neon signs as well. On the extreme north end of the property a pole sign for a general store also shares signage with Battista's.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: The pylon sign for Battista's is on the corner of Flamingo and Audrie, on the wet side of Audrie. It is a double- backed roadside pole sign with two cabinets, and an LED message center. The sign is a host of visual candy, laden with neon and incandescent bulbs. The upper portion of the sign is comprised of the larger cabinet, below that the LED message-center, then below that the smaller cabinet makes up the bottom of the sign. The top cabinet has sculpted edges created bulging edges as well as a round top. The two corners are stepped. The bottom of the sign is a flat horizontal edge. The surface of the sign is painted red. The majority of the sign's face is occupied by channel letters spelling "Battista's Italian Restaurant," in channel letters with red neon borders. Below that "Lounge," and then "Banquets" is spelled one on top of each other in yellow channel letters. Yellow neon in on the interior of the channels. Two tubes of green neon extend horizontally from each side of this text. On the far left and right-hand sides of the cabinet, green neon scrollwork adorn the space between the main text and the edge of the cabinet. Spelled in small painted letters above the main text, resides the phrase "hole in the wall. Yellow neon tubes spell the same text, hovering over the graphics. In the remaining space above this text and the top edge, purple and green neon are sculpted to appear as a bunch of grapes and their vines. The entire sign is bordered in gold polished raceways with incandescent bulbs. Below the main section of the cabinet is a tri-colored LED message center, running scrolling messages about the restaurant in red, white, and green, which are the colors of the Italian flag. The smaller cabinet below the message center has sculpted edges also, with the top edge being straight along the length of the message center. It is painted green. General store is spelled across the top of the sign in white channel letters with white neon on the interior. Graphically painted in red, below the white text, the words "groceries, beer wine, souvenirs, and slots" are overlayed with red neon. In the remaining space on the bottom of the cabinet a small logo for "Coors Light," is graphically painted and overlayed with corresponding neon. To the left and right of that two arrows point toward the property, painted in red then overlayed with red neon. Over the entrance to the building, a wooden A-frame shaped structure forms a cover over the main entrance to the restaurant. In an arched pattern on the wooden face of this awning, "Battista's" is spelled it it's specific text in channel lettering, filled with neon. Below that in green channel letters, in the same arched pattern, spell hole in the wall, and has green neon in the interior. On other side of the dual arched text two, channel designed scrollwork pieces are illuminated with yellow neon. On the far north end of the lot a pole sign is designated next to the general store that the main pylon advertises. The top of the sign is an internally lit cabinet with graphic treatments for the general store. Incandescent bulbs line the edge of the cabinet. Further down the pole a small back-lit, horizontal, rectangular cabinet advertises for the Battista's establishment. Below that a square, internally lit cabinet, has red and green graphical treatments reading "Fine Italian Cuisine." The last bit of signage on the pole is a small, internally lit cabinet, flag poled off of the east end of the pole with red neon spelling, "groceries 24 hrs." On the North side of the building another sign for Battista's is present.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Matrix; Backlit; LED
Sign - media: Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing
Notes: The raceways which run around the border of the surface of the sign, chase each other from right to left. The incandescent bulbs which surround the internally lit cabinet on the pole sign designated for the convenience store also chase each other.
Sign environment: The Battista's pylon share unique company when it comes to it's environment. East across Audrie, is the Bourbon Street Hotel Casino, while the extensive Bally's property resides south across Flamingo Dr. The small shopping center proves a break in the action of casino hotels. The pylon stands as a prominent figure on the corner of the lot. Just to the west of the pylon, on the same side of the street, is the original Flamingo pylon, preceding the Barbary Coast. If you continue north on Audrie, the Flamingo Hilton may be assessed through a drive to the west.
Sign manufacturer: YESCO
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the facility centers around the theme of an Italian restaurant. The pylon's colors, and matrix message center are all in accordance with colors of the Italian flag, as well as the signage above the door. The graphics, and neon representations of grapes on the pylon reference the afore mentioned theme. The entrance to the facility is the A-framed roof-like structure wood structure, referencing a rustic cottage or facility. This is significant in the name "Hole in the wall," which the facility boasts.
Sign - artistic significance: The significance of the Battista's establishment fits in with other facilities on the Strip such as The Rosewood Grill, Alan Albert's, and the Peppermill. Considering that most dining establishments are located on the interior of the properties, these stand as excellent quality, intimate restaurants seen by and available to the pedestrian public. Like the everyday establishments dressed to fit in the Las Vegas Strip such as the neighboring Walgreens, Alan Albert's is a non-casino dressed up to fit in with the local surroundings. It is also unique in the fact that the establishment which dominates the space which it resides. Unlike Alan Albert's which is tucked down a narrow alley, it is spoken out loudly with a pylon sign, another pole sign and a wall sign as well. Both pole signs are reminiscent of old roadside motel signs.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Fascia; Pylon; Neon; Matrix; Backlit; LED; Steel; Paint; Graphics
Mixed Content
Photographs of Arby's and Guinness World of Records Museum signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Description
Daytime and nighttime views of the Arby's and Guinness World of Records Museum signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 2776 Las Vegas Blvd, 2780 Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Arby's: Schultzen and Harry Sax, Guinness: ?, Cj's: PDS Gaming used to be Carl Fredrickson
Sign details: Located in a small lot on the west side of the strip, north of the giant Circus Circus pylon, and just north of the Arco AM/PM, the Arby's fast food establishment shares property and a sign with Guinness World of Records, and CJ's Slot Sales Facility. The Arby's is located in the front of the lot facing the strip, flanked on either side by drives. The "L" shaped structure for the other two establishments lies in the rear, western portion of the lot. To the north of the property, is vacant desert, stretching to Sahara Ave. To the south is Fantasia Gifts. Text signage adorns both structures, as well as a small pylon on the front northeast corner of the property. This sign is located in close proximity to the street.
Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 3 Lighting 3 The structural integrity of all the signs on the property seem to be stable and in decent repair. The surface of the Guinness channel letters is faded, and showing patches of white. The lighting on the Guinness sign does not work, but the main pylon is functional. Even though CJ's slot sales are not present in this location any more, the text on the pylon for CJ's is functional and animating. The back-lit letters on the Arby's facility are functional, but the red channel letters are not.
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: The north and south sides the Arby's building contain red painted, channel letter text, reading "Museum & Gift Shop," with a lengthy channel arrow underlining the above text and pointing toward the buildings located at the rear of the property. The pylon sign is on the north end of the property, across the drive from the establishment itself. It is basically a two-sided, vertically standing rectangle, divided into two sections by a narrow LED message center. The top half belonging to Arby's and the bottom half designated for the Guinness establishment. Both are placed on a smaller section, which serves as the base. The top half is finished in mirrored panels, providing a reflective surface for the Arby's logo. The insignia for the establishment is the outline of a ten-gallon cowboy hat, with the text spelling "Arby's," displayed cutting through the outline onto either side of the object. The entire logo is constructed of crafted channel raceways. Two separate yellow pieces form the top and bottom portions of the hat, while the text is created in orange. All the channels are filled with incandescent bulbs, and outlined in neon. The bottom portion of the sign is also two sided with, a yellow tinged face providing space for a four lined series of text. The text reads, "Guinness World of Records Museum," in red channel letters, and filled with neon, of the same color. The entire sign itself is bordered in neon. The remaining exposed face of the cabinet is finished with mirrors also. The bottom edge of the cabinet is a sloped mirrored surface which angles down into thinner, but equally wide base that contains signage also. In polished channel letters, internally lit with red plastic faces, the text "Slot Sales," resides and contains a small arrow of the same design on the western edge of the sign. A black internally lit cabinet sits beneath that. The sides of the lower portion are mirrored panels as well. The wall signs of the building at the rear of the property, are similar to those seen on the north and west sides of the Arby's establishment. The signs run parallel to the walls of the face of the building. The building is "L" shaped with the leg of the "L" pointing east, and the longer section running north. Supported on a background held up with a series of cylindrical columns, a facade of gold, raceway bordered message banner, runs along the east face. It then recedes west along the leg of the "L", parallel to the northern face section, and angles back to meet the rest of the building. The text on the sign is spelled in red channel letters, and bordered with yellow neon. Along the shortest section facing east, the word "Guinness" is spelled. The section shooting west, and facing north, possesses the text "World of Records." The texts in both sections are almost as tall as the banner itself and in all capitals. The angled portion has smaller text, reading "Entrance" and two arrows pointed down on either side. The remainder of the eastern face is blank until the northern end of the face. On the wall above the entrance two cabinets flank a set of red channel letters reading "CJ's." The edges of the cabinet on either side of the center initials, is crafted in a triangular peak, making the two signs into arrows pointing toward the center. The outside edges are negative triangular cuts, echoing the other pointed end. The edges of the cabinet are crafted out of red raceways, lined with incandescent bulbs. Red channel letters, filled with neon occupy the white background on both cabinets. The left cabinet reads "Slot" and the right reads "Sales."
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent
Sign - media: Plastic; Glass
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: Flashing, oscillating
Sign environment: The environment of the Arby's Guinness complex is one of finality. To the north a vacant lot stretches on, leaving the Arby's dangling in conclusion on the west side of the strip. Even though giants such as the Sahara and the Circus Circus loom nearby, the Arby's complex seems very alone.
Sign - date of redesign/move: In August of 2002, the Signage for CJ's was removed
Sign - thematic influences: The theme is only dealt with within the realm of the businesses that they advertise. The Guinness signage is only text, but retains the raceways that are consistent throughout strip properties. The pylon itself is a multi use structure for all the properties, with a mirrored surface, and the cowboy hat logo for Arby's. So if there is any theme present it could be linked to a somewhat cowboy theme.
Sign - artistic significance: The facade can be linked to a trend that took place in Las Vegas in the 1970's. In an effort to help with energy consumption, the incorporation of mirrored panels was put into effect to help reimburse the present effect of lighting. The pylon has a mirrored surface. A trend popular throughout the 80's as well. In a weird link to a specific casino, the Arby's western hat coupled with the mirrored surface is reminiscent of a site such as the Westward Ho Motel. It too is a mirrored surface, utilizing similar colors, and the inkling of a western theme present in its text. The yellow bulbs animated in the Arby's channel edge are comparative to the pulsating raceways of the Westward Ho.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Flashing; Oscillating; Fascia; Pylon; Incandescent; Neon; Plastic; Glass; Paint
Site address: 2776 Las Vegas Blvd, 2780 Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Arby's: Schultzen and Harry Sax, Guinness: ?, Cj's: PDS Gaming used to be Carl Fredrickson
Sign details: Located in a small lot on the west side of the strip, north of the giant Circus Circus pylon, and just north of the Arco AM/PM, the Arby's fast food establishment shares property and a sign with Guinness World of Records, and CJ's Slot Sales Facility. The Arby's is located in the front of the lot facing the strip, flanked on either side by drives. The "L" shaped structure for the other two establishments lies in the rear, western portion of the lot. To the north of the property, is vacant desert, stretching to Sahara Ave. To the south is Fantasia Gifts. Text signage adorns both structures, as well as a small pylon on the front northeast corner of the property. This sign is located in close proximity to the street.
Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 3 Lighting 3 The structural integrity of all the signs on the property seem to be stable and in decent repair. The surface of the Guinness channel letters is faded, and showing patches of white. The lighting on the Guinness sign does not work, but the main pylon is functional. Even though CJ's slot sales are not present in this location any more, the text on the pylon for CJ's is functional and animating. The back-lit letters on the Arby's facility are functional, but the red channel letters are not.
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: The north and south sides the Arby's building contain red painted, channel letter text, reading "Museum & Gift Shop," with a lengthy channel arrow underlining the above text and pointing toward the buildings located at the rear of the property. The pylon sign is on the north end of the property, across the drive from the establishment itself. It is basically a two-sided, vertically standing rectangle, divided into two sections by a narrow LED message center. The top half belonging to Arby's and the bottom half designated for the Guinness establishment. Both are placed on a smaller section, which serves as the base. The top half is finished in mirrored panels, providing a reflective surface for the Arby's logo. The insignia for the establishment is the outline of a ten-gallon cowboy hat, with the text spelling "Arby's," displayed cutting through the outline onto either side of the object. The entire logo is constructed of crafted channel raceways. Two separate yellow pieces form the top and bottom portions of the hat, while the text is created in orange. All the channels are filled with incandescent bulbs, and outlined in neon. The bottom portion of the sign is also two sided with, a yellow tinged face providing space for a four lined series of text. The text reads, "Guinness World of Records Museum," in red channel letters, and filled with neon, of the same color. The entire sign itself is bordered in neon. The remaining exposed face of the cabinet is finished with mirrors also. The bottom edge of the cabinet is a sloped mirrored surface which angles down into thinner, but equally wide base that contains signage also. In polished channel letters, internally lit with red plastic faces, the text "Slot Sales," resides and contains a small arrow of the same design on the western edge of the sign. A black internally lit cabinet sits beneath that. The sides of the lower portion are mirrored panels as well. The wall signs of the building at the rear of the property, are similar to those seen on the north and west sides of the Arby's establishment. The signs run parallel to the walls of the face of the building. The building is "L" shaped with the leg of the "L" pointing east, and the longer section running north. Supported on a background held up with a series of cylindrical columns, a facade of gold, raceway bordered message banner, runs along the east face. It then recedes west along the leg of the "L", parallel to the northern face section, and angles back to meet the rest of the building. The text on the sign is spelled in red channel letters, and bordered with yellow neon. Along the shortest section facing east, the word "Guinness" is spelled. The section shooting west, and facing north, possesses the text "World of Records." The texts in both sections are almost as tall as the banner itself and in all capitals. The angled portion has smaller text, reading "Entrance" and two arrows pointed down on either side. The remainder of the eastern face is blank until the northern end of the face. On the wall above the entrance two cabinets flank a set of red channel letters reading "CJ's." The edges of the cabinet on either side of the center initials, is crafted in a triangular peak, making the two signs into arrows pointing toward the center. The outside edges are negative triangular cuts, echoing the other pointed end. The edges of the cabinet are crafted out of red raceways, lined with incandescent bulbs. Red channel letters, filled with neon occupy the white background on both cabinets. The left cabinet reads "Slot" and the right reads "Sales."
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent
Sign - media: Plastic; Glass
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: Flashing, oscillating
Sign environment: The environment of the Arby's Guinness complex is one of finality. To the north a vacant lot stretches on, leaving the Arby's dangling in conclusion on the west side of the strip. Even though giants such as the Sahara and the Circus Circus loom nearby, the Arby's complex seems very alone.
Sign - date of redesign/move: In August of 2002, the Signage for CJ's was removed
Sign - thematic influences: The theme is only dealt with within the realm of the businesses that they advertise. The Guinness signage is only text, but retains the raceways that are consistent throughout strip properties. The pylon itself is a multi use structure for all the properties, with a mirrored surface, and the cowboy hat logo for Arby's. So if there is any theme present it could be linked to a somewhat cowboy theme.
Sign - artistic significance: The facade can be linked to a trend that took place in Las Vegas in the 1970's. In an effort to help with energy consumption, the incorporation of mirrored panels was put into effect to help reimburse the present effect of lighting. The pylon has a mirrored surface. A trend popular throughout the 80's as well. In a weird link to a specific casino, the Arby's western hat coupled with the mirrored surface is reminiscent of a site such as the Westward Ho Motel. It too is a mirrored surface, utilizing similar colors, and the inkling of a western theme present in its text. The yellow bulbs animated in the Arby's channel edge are comparative to the pulsating raceways of the Westward Ho.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Flashing; Oscillating; Fascia; Pylon; Incandescent; Neon; Plastic; Glass; Paint
Mixed Content
Photographs of Treasure Island signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
2017-08-30
Description
Photos show Treasure Island signs during the day and at night. 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 name: Treasure Island Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 3300 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: MGM Mirage
Sign details: Next to the Mirage, this property complements its sister property
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5 Signage is in good condition
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia; Porte-cochère
Sign-specific description: The Treasure Island Hotel and Casino sits between the Mirage and Spring Mountain road. Fitting right into the themed hotel resort genre that dominates this side of the strip, the Treasure Island provides one of the more unique facades. Just past the bust of Siegfried and Roy, the dense foliage and trees continue on almost fluently between properties. The first elements you see headed north is the giant sculpted pylon for the resort, set beside a sweeping incline drive, leading to the porte-cohere. The pylon is a collection a heavily crafted and sculpted elements, creating a framework for two message cabinets and a marquee banner on either side. At the base, steel poles exit the ground in a "V" shape, into the interior of the area designated for the LCD and backlit cabinets. Steel poles forma grid work between the "V" shape. The message boards are bordered by steel piles made to appear as if they are pieces of bamboo lashed together at the corners, extending past the joints in an irregular fashion. Two base poles and inner grid are finished in the same fashion. Above the message cabinet a three-dimensional sculpted crows nest sits just below a giant skull adorned with a scarf. The tip of the bottom of green finished crows nest just reaches the top of the two cabinets. The fully three dimensional skull is finished in a realistic fashion. Two giant swords cross each other in an X pattern behind the crow's nest and underneath the skull. The resultant effect is the pirate emblem of the "skull and cross bones" or "jolly roger." The hilts of the two swords come to rest on top of the message centers also. A grid work of false bamboo poles can be seen , providing a buffer between the two halves of the sign. Above the head of the pirate an arched steel cabinet ,creates a banner, which reads "Treasure Island" in white channel letters and filled with incandescent bulbs. Decorative scrollwork adorns the top of the banner as well as the two sides of the skull. The Treasure Island tower is also in the popular Y shaped configuration. The 38 story building stands 456 feet tall, with the text hung on the top of the tower in a couple of different fashions. On the face created by the north and southeast wings of the tower, Treasure Island is spelled in giant channel letters, but the two words are in close proximity to each other, resting in the angle created by the joining of the two wings into the center structure. The southwest face created by the west and southeast wings have the text separated. Treasure on the west towers and island on the southeast tower. The northwest side is appropriately displayed only on the north face of the wing, so the southbound traffic on I-15 can read the letters clearly. The Treasure Island also has two additional signs located toward the back of the property. Those would include a small pylon facing east west actually situated in the rear of the property. The pylon is a simple square supported with two square posts. The other resides on Spring Mtn Rd. headed east on the south side of the street. It resides on the corner of the main traffic flow from the parking garage and inner sanctum of roads leading to the porte- cochere.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Oscillating
Notes: The only animation present is in the channel letters themselves. The incandescent bulbs on the interiors oscillate wildly
Sign environment: The front spectacular of the pirate show truly creates the theme of the pirate island, and is where most of the pedestrian traffic for the hotel is present. The pylon is just south of the spectacular, towering high overhead. The Treasure Island's environment is abruptly halted by Spring Mtn road but at the same time, it also wraps the corner of the hotel, and continues west. It is the bookend piece to the other major MGM resorts, which reside south of the Treasure Island. Even though it is a smaller child of the bigger properties, it still looms as a giant to its neighbors the Vagabond and Tam O'Shanter
Sign manufacturer: Atlandia Design
Sign - date of installation: 1993
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the Treasure Island is painfully apparent, from its name to its live pirate show. The signage truly reflects it as well. Treasure Island is definitely in the class of properties, which can be called a themed resort. The main pylon looks to be constructed out pieces of a wrecked ship, with the most commonly seen symbol for a pirate, in the Jolly Roger skull, being the most impactful piece up there. Steel beams are finished to look like wooden masts, and giant ropes, slinging the entire sign together. It utilizes the three dimensional aspects, yet retains the design of a pylon. Unlike its neighbor to the south the mirage, the Treasure islands theme encompasses the main pylon, with the exception of the pylon in the rear of the property. The surroundings, which provide the background for the pylon, as well as the environment for the property, reflect them as well. The landscaping boasts tropical plants emitting false bird noises, which stretch around to the face of the property, where the pirate village and ships reside in cold waters, and faux cliffs. The wooden planks resembling pier docks, provide a tidy border for the arena and spectators. The theme has been seen before in one sense or related from a slight distance. None has actually utilized the name of the novel, and been so garish with the pirate theme, but it can be tied to propertied that are more island, and paradise themed. Such properties include the Mirage, the Tropicana, and the Castaways.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Oscillating; Pylon; Fascia; Porte-cochère; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint; Graphics
Site name: Treasure Island Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 3300 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: MGM Mirage
Sign details: Next to the Mirage, this property complements its sister property
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5 Signage is in good condition
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia; Porte-cochère
Sign-specific description: The Treasure Island Hotel and Casino sits between the Mirage and Spring Mountain road. Fitting right into the themed hotel resort genre that dominates this side of the strip, the Treasure Island provides one of the more unique facades. Just past the bust of Siegfried and Roy, the dense foliage and trees continue on almost fluently between properties. The first elements you see headed north is the giant sculpted pylon for the resort, set beside a sweeping incline drive, leading to the porte-cohere. The pylon is a collection a heavily crafted and sculpted elements, creating a framework for two message cabinets and a marquee banner on either side. At the base, steel poles exit the ground in a "V" shape, into the interior of the area designated for the LCD and backlit cabinets. Steel poles forma grid work between the "V" shape. The message boards are bordered by steel piles made to appear as if they are pieces of bamboo lashed together at the corners, extending past the joints in an irregular fashion. Two base poles and inner grid are finished in the same fashion. Above the message cabinet a three-dimensional sculpted crows nest sits just below a giant skull adorned with a scarf. The tip of the bottom of green finished crows nest just reaches the top of the two cabinets. The fully three dimensional skull is finished in a realistic fashion. Two giant swords cross each other in an X pattern behind the crow's nest and underneath the skull. The resultant effect is the pirate emblem of the "skull and cross bones" or "jolly roger." The hilts of the two swords come to rest on top of the message centers also. A grid work of false bamboo poles can be seen , providing a buffer between the two halves of the sign. Above the head of the pirate an arched steel cabinet ,creates a banner, which reads "Treasure Island" in white channel letters and filled with incandescent bulbs. Decorative scrollwork adorns the top of the banner as well as the two sides of the skull. The Treasure Island tower is also in the popular Y shaped configuration. The 38 story building stands 456 feet tall, with the text hung on the top of the tower in a couple of different fashions. On the face created by the north and southeast wings of the tower, Treasure Island is spelled in giant channel letters, but the two words are in close proximity to each other, resting in the angle created by the joining of the two wings into the center structure. The southwest face created by the west and southeast wings have the text separated. Treasure on the west towers and island on the southeast tower. The northwest side is appropriately displayed only on the north face of the wing, so the southbound traffic on I-15 can read the letters clearly. The Treasure Island also has two additional signs located toward the back of the property. Those would include a small pylon facing east west actually situated in the rear of the property. The pylon is a simple square supported with two square posts. The other resides on Spring Mtn Rd. headed east on the south side of the street. It resides on the corner of the main traffic flow from the parking garage and inner sanctum of roads leading to the porte- cochere.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Oscillating
Notes: The only animation present is in the channel letters themselves. The incandescent bulbs on the interiors oscillate wildly
Sign environment: The front spectacular of the pirate show truly creates the theme of the pirate island, and is where most of the pedestrian traffic for the hotel is present. The pylon is just south of the spectacular, towering high overhead. The Treasure Island's environment is abruptly halted by Spring Mtn road but at the same time, it also wraps the corner of the hotel, and continues west. It is the bookend piece to the other major MGM resorts, which reside south of the Treasure Island. Even though it is a smaller child of the bigger properties, it still looms as a giant to its neighbors the Vagabond and Tam O'Shanter
Sign manufacturer: Atlandia Design
Sign - date of installation: 1993
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the Treasure Island is painfully apparent, from its name to its live pirate show. The signage truly reflects it as well. Treasure Island is definitely in the class of properties, which can be called a themed resort. The main pylon looks to be constructed out pieces of a wrecked ship, with the most commonly seen symbol for a pirate, in the Jolly Roger skull, being the most impactful piece up there. Steel beams are finished to look like wooden masts, and giant ropes, slinging the entire sign together. It utilizes the three dimensional aspects, yet retains the design of a pylon. Unlike its neighbor to the south the mirage, the Treasure islands theme encompasses the main pylon, with the exception of the pylon in the rear of the property. The surroundings, which provide the background for the pylon, as well as the environment for the property, reflect them as well. The landscaping boasts tropical plants emitting false bird noises, which stretch around to the face of the property, where the pirate village and ships reside in cold waters, and faux cliffs. The wooden planks resembling pier docks, provide a tidy border for the arena and spectators. The theme has been seen before in one sense or related from a slight distance. None has actually utilized the name of the novel, and been so garish with the pirate theme, but it can be tied to propertied that are more island, and paradise themed. Such properties include the Mirage, the Tropicana, and the Castaways.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Oscillating; Pylon; Fascia; Porte-cochère; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint; Graphics
Mixed Content
Harmon Family Papers
Identifier
MS-00301
Abstract
The Harmon Family Papers consist of the political and personal correspondence of Las Vegas, Nevada pioneer Harley A. Harmon from 1910 to 1934, and his son, Harley E. Harmon, from 1950 to 1966. The collection also includes correspondence, personal papers, and photographs of Harley L. Harmon from approximately 1950 to 1999. Also included are family scrapbooks with wedding announcements, photographs, birthday cards, newspaper clippings, and other ephemera.
Archival Collection
Jean Ford Papers
Identifier
MS-00025
Abstract
The Jean Ford Papers (1958-1996) include political documents, campaign materials for Jean Ford's political campaigns, and materials pertaining to campaign issues such as health services, general improvement districts, and parks and recreation. There is extensive material on Red Rock National Conservation Area, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and the National Issues Forum. Women's issues cover the years 1964-1981 and contain information relating to the League of Women Voters, Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and International Women's Year (IWY), as well as Anti-ERA and Anti-IWY materials.
Archival Collection
Sands Hotel Public Relations Records
Identifier
MS-00417
Abstract
The Sands Hotel Public Relations Records document the history of the Las Vegas casino and hotel from 1952 to 1977. It is comprised primarily of photographs, mostly 8x10 black-and-white prints, color prints, and transparencies. Most were produced by the Las Vegas News Bureau. Also included are newspaper clippings, brochures, press releases, and inter-office memos relating to the advertising and promotion department. Materials also include reels of 16mm film of the Sands opening, various shows and events including Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin's "Summit Meeting" performances with the Rat Pack, and footage from various television productions filmed at the Sands.
Archival Collection
Flora and Stuart Mason Photographs and Event Programs
Identifier
MS-00694
Abstract
Collection is comprised of photographs of Las Vegas, Nevada community leaders Flora and Stuart Mason and three event programs from Temple Beth Sholom (Las Vegas, Nevada). Materials date from approximately 1965 to 2010.
Archival Collection
Elizabeth von Till and Claude N. Warren Professional Papers
Identifier
MS-00906
Abstract
The Elizabeth von Till and Claude N. Warren Professional Papers (1916-2021) are comprised of the personal and professional papers of anthropologist Claude N. Warren and historical preservationist Elizabth von Till Warren. The materials in this collection primarily consist of research files, maps, and drawings on various archaeological and historical preservation projects in southern Nevada of which they both were involved. This collection includes field notes and surveys from archaeological projects such as the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort and the Las Vegas Springs Preserve. Records on von Till Warren's involvement with the Old Spanish Trail Association, Southern Nevada Historical Society, and historic preservation work around southern Nevada are represented. Also included are Robert H. Crabtree's archaeological research files, a colleague of Claude Warren who bequeathed his professional files to him upon his death.
Archival Collection
Pair A Dice Mobile Home Park Neon Survey document, September 12, 2017
Date
2017-09-12
Description
Information about the Pair A Dice Mobile Home Park sign that sits at 2067 N Las Vegas Blvd.
Site address: 2067 N Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Peyman Masachi and Pair A Dice Estates LLC
Sign details: Originally construction was in 1956 for a Manufactured Homes park. This location offers 137 spaces for mobile homes and have 42 permanent parked homes.
Sign condition: 3.5- paint has faded drastically
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: This pylon has 2 plastic back lit red dice on the top of it with the one on top with the number 5 and the lower one reads 2 to make the lucky number 7. To the non-road side of this double sided sign is a yellow circle plastic back lit sign that has painted black letters stating "Pair A Dice". Below this is an orange triangle shape that has channeled neon white steel letters near the top of it stating "Trailer Park" in a block type font that illuminate white at night. Below these letters are a white plastic back lit sign stating "R.V.'s Welcome" with their phone number posted underneath. Below is another plastic back lit sign that is yellow with a black font stating "Senior Park". Below this is a skeletal neon arrow that points to their driveway that illuminates yellow at night.
Sign - type of display: Neon and plastic back lit signs
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic Back lit portions
Sign animation: Chasing, flashing, oscillating
Notes: The logo cabinets which adorn the entrances on the elevated walkways: The letters start with both rows of text in the off position. The top row flashes on, while the bottom row is dark then the bottom row illuminates, as the top row goes dark. Once the top row flashes off it flashes back on so that both rows of text are briefly illuminated simultaneously before they both go dark and the sequence stars over again. While this is going on the incandescent bulbs which line all of the raceways are chasing each other from left to right on the horizontal planes, while the arched sections chase each other downward. The triangular peaks which radiate around the top of the logo sign, flash on and off in a sequence which chase each other downward. First the top center peak flashes on, then the next sequential triangular channel on both sides illuminate simultaneously, flash off, then the next two in the series illuminate. The resultant effect is a chasing pattern starting from the top. The sister animation is located on almost the exact same design on the porte cochere. I would think the previous smaller sign would be based on the larger porte cochere. The other variance besides obvious size difference is the that the channel letters are filled with incandescent bulbs instead of neon. The animation is a bit simpler as well. The incandescent bulbs oscillate continuously while the triangular pan channels which create the radiating crown, animate. The neon in the channels chase each other as described in the smaller walk way version, while the text continues until the entire text flashes off, then on, off, then begin to animate once again. All of the bulbs, which line the raceways of the exterior edge of the porte cochere, as well as the encrustation of bulbs on the brass bull nose portion, animate in rapid succession. All the raceway bulbs chase each other while the bulbs on the brass portion continually oscillate. Animation continues on the east face of the building with the entrances first. The principle for these two signs is oscillation and chasing. All bulbs on the underside of the entrance, as well as in the logo, oscillate rapidly. All bulbs on the raceways chase each other. Further on the surface of the building as well, the Pepsi cola wall sign is found displaying a very unique form of animation, seen here on the strip. The signage for the Pepsi ad is located on the eastern wall. (Detailed in specific description) The Incandescent bulbs which fill the inside of the text that spells Pepsi, chase each other from left to right, leaving all the bulbs in its path illuminated, as if writing out the word Pepsi. The neon bars located within the tilted bottle of Pepsi are illuminated, and chase each other downward, leaving the bars it its path dark. As this sequence in taking place, the waving tubes of neon illuminate, flashed subtly making the neon appear as soda pouring out of the bottle. As the tubing flows then the vertical neon bars in the cup illuminate one at a time making the cup appear as if it is filling up. The text above each of the painted fires head, flashes back and forth as if talking to each other as well. ESPN ZONE animation: The letters in the vertical blade portion of the ESPN Zone illuminate one at a time, starting from the top. Once the entire phrase is lit, in flashes off then on then off, before restating. The orange and red neon tubing which resides inside the pan channels that represent flames flash on and off in a relaxed manner as if to animate the flickering of the flames. The small incandescent bulbs on the black portions above the main matrix reader board flash on and off subtly.
Sign environment: This location is in North Las Vegas along Las Vegas Blvd. It is north of Jerry's Nugget by about a mile.
Sign manufacturer: There is a marking for "BMS" on this sign which is a sign manufacturer in Minneapolis, Minnesota but could not get in contact with anyone to see if this is the correct manufacturer/maintainer or if it had a different meaning.
Sign - date of installation: Has been up since at least 2007 but does look a lot older than that
Sign - thematic influences: The triangle in this sign does have a mid-century modern theme (50's/60's) to it with curved geometric shapes.
Sign - artistic significance: The theme of Pair A- Dice plays perfectly with the theme of Vegas since for many table dice games you need a pair of dice. Though you are also in paradise here in Vegas particularly since the incorporated area of Vegas which we all know as the strip is technically the city of "Paradise". Also the Pair O' Dice was the name of one of the first casino's down on the strip when gambling was re-legalized in the state of Nevada in 1931.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's Page, Loop Net- Information on what the property offers http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/18840376/2067-N-Las-Vegas-Boulevard-Las-Vegas-NV/ , _Las Vegas Sun article https://lasvegassun.com/news/2011/mar/01/2-southern-nevada-contractors-file-bankruptcy/_, google maps satellite and roadside view
Survey - research notes: With the BMS sticker on this sign, it could be a sign company but the only one found online was in Minnesota. Unless if there was a BMS in Las Vegas but was bought out by a bigger sign company.
Survey - other remarks: The Pair A Dice LLC company went bankrupt in 2011 which this Las Vegas Sun article discusses https://lasvegassun.com/news/2011/mar/01/2-southern-nevada-contractors-file-bankruptcy/
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-12
Sign keywords: Neon; Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Roadside
Site address: 2067 N Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Peyman Masachi and Pair A Dice Estates LLC
Sign details: Originally construction was in 1956 for a Manufactured Homes park. This location offers 137 spaces for mobile homes and have 42 permanent parked homes.
Sign condition: 3.5- paint has faded drastically
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: This pylon has 2 plastic back lit red dice on the top of it with the one on top with the number 5 and the lower one reads 2 to make the lucky number 7. To the non-road side of this double sided sign is a yellow circle plastic back lit sign that has painted black letters stating "Pair A Dice". Below this is an orange triangle shape that has channeled neon white steel letters near the top of it stating "Trailer Park" in a block type font that illuminate white at night. Below these letters are a white plastic back lit sign stating "R.V.'s Welcome" with their phone number posted underneath. Below is another plastic back lit sign that is yellow with a black font stating "Senior Park". Below this is a skeletal neon arrow that points to their driveway that illuminates yellow at night.
Sign - type of display: Neon and plastic back lit signs
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic Back lit portions
Sign animation: Chasing, flashing, oscillating
Notes: The logo cabinets which adorn the entrances on the elevated walkways: The letters start with both rows of text in the off position. The top row flashes on, while the bottom row is dark then the bottom row illuminates, as the top row goes dark. Once the top row flashes off it flashes back on so that both rows of text are briefly illuminated simultaneously before they both go dark and the sequence stars over again. While this is going on the incandescent bulbs which line all of the raceways are chasing each other from left to right on the horizontal planes, while the arched sections chase each other downward. The triangular peaks which radiate around the top of the logo sign, flash on and off in a sequence which chase each other downward. First the top center peak flashes on, then the next sequential triangular channel on both sides illuminate simultaneously, flash off, then the next two in the series illuminate. The resultant effect is a chasing pattern starting from the top. The sister animation is located on almost the exact same design on the porte cochere. I would think the previous smaller sign would be based on the larger porte cochere. The other variance besides obvious size difference is the that the channel letters are filled with incandescent bulbs instead of neon. The animation is a bit simpler as well. The incandescent bulbs oscillate continuously while the triangular pan channels which create the radiating crown, animate. The neon in the channels chase each other as described in the smaller walk way version, while the text continues until the entire text flashes off, then on, off, then begin to animate once again. All of the bulbs, which line the raceways of the exterior edge of the porte cochere, as well as the encrustation of bulbs on the brass bull nose portion, animate in rapid succession. All the raceway bulbs chase each other while the bulbs on the brass portion continually oscillate. Animation continues on the east face of the building with the entrances first. The principle for these two signs is oscillation and chasing. All bulbs on the underside of the entrance, as well as in the logo, oscillate rapidly. All bulbs on the raceways chase each other. Further on the surface of the building as well, the Pepsi cola wall sign is found displaying a very unique form of animation, seen here on the strip. The signage for the Pepsi ad is located on the eastern wall. (Detailed in specific description) The Incandescent bulbs which fill the inside of the text that spells Pepsi, chase each other from left to right, leaving all the bulbs in its path illuminated, as if writing out the word Pepsi. The neon bars located within the tilted bottle of Pepsi are illuminated, and chase each other downward, leaving the bars it its path dark. As this sequence in taking place, the waving tubes of neon illuminate, flashed subtly making the neon appear as soda pouring out of the bottle. As the tubing flows then the vertical neon bars in the cup illuminate one at a time making the cup appear as if it is filling up. The text above each of the painted fires head, flashes back and forth as if talking to each other as well. ESPN ZONE animation: The letters in the vertical blade portion of the ESPN Zone illuminate one at a time, starting from the top. Once the entire phrase is lit, in flashes off then on then off, before restating. The orange and red neon tubing which resides inside the pan channels that represent flames flash on and off in a relaxed manner as if to animate the flickering of the flames. The small incandescent bulbs on the black portions above the main matrix reader board flash on and off subtly.
Sign environment: This location is in North Las Vegas along Las Vegas Blvd. It is north of Jerry's Nugget by about a mile.
Sign manufacturer: There is a marking for "BMS" on this sign which is a sign manufacturer in Minneapolis, Minnesota but could not get in contact with anyone to see if this is the correct manufacturer/maintainer or if it had a different meaning.
Sign - date of installation: Has been up since at least 2007 but does look a lot older than that
Sign - thematic influences: The triangle in this sign does have a mid-century modern theme (50's/60's) to it with curved geometric shapes.
Sign - artistic significance: The theme of Pair A- Dice plays perfectly with the theme of Vegas since for many table dice games you need a pair of dice. Though you are also in paradise here in Vegas particularly since the incorporated area of Vegas which we all know as the strip is technically the city of "Paradise". Also the Pair O' Dice was the name of one of the first casino's down on the strip when gambling was re-legalized in the state of Nevada in 1931.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's Page, Loop Net- Information on what the property offers http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/18840376/2067-N-Las-Vegas-Boulevard-Las-Vegas-NV/ , _Las Vegas Sun article https://lasvegassun.com/news/2011/mar/01/2-southern-nevada-contractors-file-bankruptcy/_, google maps satellite and roadside view
Survey - research notes: With the BMS sticker on this sign, it could be a sign company but the only one found online was in Minnesota. Unless if there was a BMS in Las Vegas but was bought out by a bigger sign company.
Survey - other remarks: The Pair A Dice LLC company went bankrupt in 2011 which this Las Vegas Sun article discusses https://lasvegassun.com/news/2011/mar/01/2-southern-nevada-contractors-file-bankruptcy/
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-12
Sign keywords: Neon; Plastic; Backlit; Steel; Roadside
Text
Photographs of Rummel Motel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), February 23, 2017
Date
2017-02-23
2017-09-18
Description
The Rummel Motel sits north of The Strip at 1809 Las Vegas Boulevard South. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 1809 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Yeh Chia-Hong
Sign details: The motel was founded by Marvin Rummel in 1945 (VintageLasVegas, n.d.), although the Clark County Assessor lists the original construction year as 1951 (Assessor, n.d.). Undated vintage postcards, one describing the motel as "new" (Rummel Motel, 1809 So. 5th St. U.S. 91 - L.A. Highway Las Vegas, Nevada original vintage postcard, n.d.) show that a two-story building was later added to the back of the motor court (VintageLasVegas). The addition may explain the discrepancy in construction dates. The Roles family purchased the property in 1958 (VintageLasVegas; Noted bowler, hotel owner dies, 2002). Ralph Roles also operated the Del Mar Motel (the Del Mar's sign, designed by Betty Willis, is now at the Neon Museum). A vintage postcard from 1958 shows that motel was endorsed by the Automobile Association of America and another automobile club (Garofalo, 2011). The motel was severely damaged by fire on April 30 2017 (VintageLasVegas; Hershkovitz, 2017) and is currently closed.
Sign condition: The condition is 2, fair. The lower portion of the cabinet is dented and access panels are damaged or missing. The upper portions of the cabinet display numerous metal patches. The plastic on the reader board has holes. The remaining neon tubing appears to be intact. All incandescent light bulbs are missing.
Sign form: Pylon sign
Sign-specific description: The sign is supported by a rectangular blue metal pylon. A blue metal-framed reader board and orange metal upper cabinet are cantilevered out from the pylon toward the street. In the center of the upper cabinet is an amoeba-shaped area which is painted black and outlined by white skeleton neon. Inside the black amoeba are individual cursive letters which spell out "Rummel Motel" in white paint traced by white skeleton neon. Atop the upper cabinet is a smaller orange metal cabinet which is wing-shaped. Above the wing is a blue metal circle. Inside the channel of the circle are six concentric circles of empty light sockets. On the outside of the circle is a semi-circular metal frame which holds five white skeleton neon five-pointed stars.
Sign - type of display: Neon, incandescent and reader board
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Incandescent light bulbs and a reader board
Sign environment: This is located on Las Vegas Boulevard South just north of the Las Vegas Strip
Sign - date of installation: The current sign dates back to at least 1958, but probably is not the original motel sign. A vintage postcard shows that before the two-story addition, the motel had a simple double pole sign with the name "Rummel Motel" enclosed by an open oval (Rummel Motel, 1809 So. 5th St. U.S. 91 - L.A. Highway Las Vegas, Nevada original vintage postcard, n.d.). The colors, lettering style and oval shape of the former sign appear to have inspired the design of the sign seen in a postcard from 1958 (Garofalo, 2011). The latter sign, with heavy modification, is the sign seen on the property today. The sign as currently configured is recognizable in a postcard from the late 1950's or early 1960's (Las Vegas motels then and now, n.d.).
Sign - date of redesign/move: The circa 1958 sign (Garofalo, 2011) was supported by double poles. The pole on the street side of the sign can still be seen on the upper cabinet, but it no longer reaches to the ground. The pole on the motel side of the sign ran from the ground toward the center of the sign, and then doglegged inward toward the motel to support the sign from the side. That pole appears to be the same one now enclosed by the pylon. The shadow of the pole can be seen inside the current reader board, which was a later addition attached below the circa 1958 sign. Automobile club shields at the bottom of the circa 1958 sign have been removed. A black metal directional arrow pointing toward the motel from the street side of the sign has also been removed. A circular white or light yellow metal cabinet with concentric rows of incandescent lightbulbs in the interior and a semi-circle of neon stars on the exterior has been moved from the top of the former directional arrow to the top of the wing-shaped cabinet. The circa 1958 wing-shaped cabinet was flush with the street side of the sign and contained skeleton neon which advertised, "HEATED POOL". The current wing-shaped cabinet contains no neon and has been pushed to the center of the sign. The lower cabinet of the circa 1958 sign was painted orange and black, which is now all orange. The amoeba shape was painted blue and is now black. Below the amoeba were skeleton neon letters which spelled out, "NO VACANCY" and "24 HOUR ROOM SERVICE". The neon is now gone. A small black metal cabinet attached at the bottom of the sign contained what appear to be either painted or skeleton neon letters which state, "COOLED BY REFRIGERATION". That portion of the sign is now gone.
Sign - thematic influences: This sign showcases 1950's and 1960's Googie trends. This also conveys earlier motor court designs in the building and the sign.
Survey - research locations: Clark County Assessor, Parcel No. 162-03-310-007, Retrieved from http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/assessor/Pages/PropertyRecords.aspx?H=redrock&P=assrrealprop/pcl.aspx Garofalo, M. (2011 November 2). Still standing-Rummel Motel. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/vintageroadtrip/6304823598/ Hershkovitz, R. (2017 April 30). Fire damages vacant downtown Las Vegas motel. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/fire-damages-vacant-downtown-las-vegas-motel/ Las Vegas motels-Then and now. (n.d.). Rummel Motel. Retrieved from http://stefanidrivesvegas.com/8.html Noted bowler, motel owner Roles dies. (2002 July 30). Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved from https://lasvegassun.com/news/2002/jul/30/noted-bowler-motel-owner-roles-dies/ RoadsideArchitecture. (n.d.) The Rummel Motel. Retrieved from http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas3.html Rummel Motel, 1809 So. 5th St. U.S. 91 - L.A. Highway Las Vegas, Nevada original vintage postcard. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Rummel-Motel-1809-So-U-S/dp/B00P9LEQCS VintageLasVegas. (n.d.). Rummel Motel. Retrieved from http://vintagelasvegas.com/post/160953547509/rummel-motel-1809-s-las-vegas-blvd-built-by
Surveyor: Mitchell Cohen
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-18
Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Reader board; Plastic; Steel
Site address: 1809 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Yeh Chia-Hong
Sign details: The motel was founded by Marvin Rummel in 1945 (VintageLasVegas, n.d.), although the Clark County Assessor lists the original construction year as 1951 (Assessor, n.d.). Undated vintage postcards, one describing the motel as "new" (Rummel Motel, 1809 So. 5th St. U.S. 91 - L.A. Highway Las Vegas, Nevada original vintage postcard, n.d.) show that a two-story building was later added to the back of the motor court (VintageLasVegas). The addition may explain the discrepancy in construction dates. The Roles family purchased the property in 1958 (VintageLasVegas; Noted bowler, hotel owner dies, 2002). Ralph Roles also operated the Del Mar Motel (the Del Mar's sign, designed by Betty Willis, is now at the Neon Museum). A vintage postcard from 1958 shows that motel was endorsed by the Automobile Association of America and another automobile club (Garofalo, 2011). The motel was severely damaged by fire on April 30 2017 (VintageLasVegas; Hershkovitz, 2017) and is currently closed.
Sign condition: The condition is 2, fair. The lower portion of the cabinet is dented and access panels are damaged or missing. The upper portions of the cabinet display numerous metal patches. The plastic on the reader board has holes. The remaining neon tubing appears to be intact. All incandescent light bulbs are missing.
Sign form: Pylon sign
Sign-specific description: The sign is supported by a rectangular blue metal pylon. A blue metal-framed reader board and orange metal upper cabinet are cantilevered out from the pylon toward the street. In the center of the upper cabinet is an amoeba-shaped area which is painted black and outlined by white skeleton neon. Inside the black amoeba are individual cursive letters which spell out "Rummel Motel" in white paint traced by white skeleton neon. Atop the upper cabinet is a smaller orange metal cabinet which is wing-shaped. Above the wing is a blue metal circle. Inside the channel of the circle are six concentric circles of empty light sockets. On the outside of the circle is a semi-circular metal frame which holds five white skeleton neon five-pointed stars.
Sign - type of display: Neon, incandescent and reader board
Sign - media: Steel and plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Incandescent light bulbs and a reader board
Sign environment: This is located on Las Vegas Boulevard South just north of the Las Vegas Strip
Sign - date of installation: The current sign dates back to at least 1958, but probably is not the original motel sign. A vintage postcard shows that before the two-story addition, the motel had a simple double pole sign with the name "Rummel Motel" enclosed by an open oval (Rummel Motel, 1809 So. 5th St. U.S. 91 - L.A. Highway Las Vegas, Nevada original vintage postcard, n.d.). The colors, lettering style and oval shape of the former sign appear to have inspired the design of the sign seen in a postcard from 1958 (Garofalo, 2011). The latter sign, with heavy modification, is the sign seen on the property today. The sign as currently configured is recognizable in a postcard from the late 1950's or early 1960's (Las Vegas motels then and now, n.d.).
Sign - date of redesign/move: The circa 1958 sign (Garofalo, 2011) was supported by double poles. The pole on the street side of the sign can still be seen on the upper cabinet, but it no longer reaches to the ground. The pole on the motel side of the sign ran from the ground toward the center of the sign, and then doglegged inward toward the motel to support the sign from the side. That pole appears to be the same one now enclosed by the pylon. The shadow of the pole can be seen inside the current reader board, which was a later addition attached below the circa 1958 sign. Automobile club shields at the bottom of the circa 1958 sign have been removed. A black metal directional arrow pointing toward the motel from the street side of the sign has also been removed. A circular white or light yellow metal cabinet with concentric rows of incandescent lightbulbs in the interior and a semi-circle of neon stars on the exterior has been moved from the top of the former directional arrow to the top of the wing-shaped cabinet. The circa 1958 wing-shaped cabinet was flush with the street side of the sign and contained skeleton neon which advertised, "HEATED POOL". The current wing-shaped cabinet contains no neon and has been pushed to the center of the sign. The lower cabinet of the circa 1958 sign was painted orange and black, which is now all orange. The amoeba shape was painted blue and is now black. Below the amoeba were skeleton neon letters which spelled out, "NO VACANCY" and "24 HOUR ROOM SERVICE". The neon is now gone. A small black metal cabinet attached at the bottom of the sign contained what appear to be either painted or skeleton neon letters which state, "COOLED BY REFRIGERATION". That portion of the sign is now gone.
Sign - thematic influences: This sign showcases 1950's and 1960's Googie trends. This also conveys earlier motor court designs in the building and the sign.
Survey - research locations: Clark County Assessor, Parcel No. 162-03-310-007, Retrieved from http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/assessor/Pages/PropertyRecords.aspx?H=redrock&P=assrrealprop/pcl.aspx Garofalo, M. (2011 November 2). Still standing-Rummel Motel. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/vintageroadtrip/6304823598/ Hershkovitz, R. (2017 April 30). Fire damages vacant downtown Las Vegas motel. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/fire-damages-vacant-downtown-las-vegas-motel/ Las Vegas motels-Then and now. (n.d.). Rummel Motel. Retrieved from http://stefanidrivesvegas.com/8.html Noted bowler, motel owner Roles dies. (2002 July 30). Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved from https://lasvegassun.com/news/2002/jul/30/noted-bowler-motel-owner-roles-dies/ RoadsideArchitecture. (n.d.) The Rummel Motel. Retrieved from http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas3.html Rummel Motel, 1809 So. 5th St. U.S. 91 - L.A. Highway Las Vegas, Nevada original vintage postcard. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Rummel-Motel-1809-So-U-S/dp/B00P9LEQCS VintageLasVegas. (n.d.). Rummel Motel. Retrieved from http://vintagelasvegas.com/post/160953547509/rummel-motel-1809-s-las-vegas-blvd-built-by
Surveyor: Mitchell Cohen
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-18
Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Reader board; Plastic; Steel
Mixed Content
Refine my results
Content Type
Creator or Contributor
Subject
Archival Collection
Digital Project
Resource Type
Year
Material Type
Place
Language
Records Classification