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Klai, John, II, 1952-2023
John Reynolds Klai II was born and raised in Osnabrock, North Dakota. After spending a few years as an accounting major at the University of North Dakota’s College of Business in Grand Forks, an engineering class inspired him to pursue a career in architecture. He returned to Osnabrock, where he worked for his father’s construction company and saved to attend the architecture program at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies in 1977 and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1978.
Person
Photographs of Golden Steer Steakhouse sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017
Date
2017-03-03
2017-07-28
Description
The Golden Steer Steakhouse sign sits at 308 West Sahara Avenue. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site name: Golden Steer Steak House (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 308 W Sahara Ave
Sign owner: Dr. Michael J. Signorelli has owned it since 2001 after purchasing it from the original owners
Sign details: Opened 1958, and started expanding in the 1970's by buying out neighboring shops. They redesigned their interior in the 90's but still kept it true to the original design. The Rat Pack was known to frequent this steakhouse and even have a dedicated booth to them. Tony Spilotro, Elvis Presley and Nat "King" Cole were a few of the many famous customers. This is the Oldest Steakhouse in Las Vegas, and still maintains their original old Vegas dining style.
Sign condition: 4-The sign looks as though it has aged, but it has done so gracefully
Sign form: Pylon with sculptural element and entrance sign on building
Sign-specific description: The Pylon sign has the main logo stating "Golden Steer Steakhouse" on a yellow sign with a black border. The black border has yellow/gold incandescent light bulbs with a small gold Fleur-de-Lis on the top. Under the main logo there is a shelf/stage holding a golden sculptural steer. The sign above the entrance is a wrap around yellow sign similar to their pylon sign with their logo and an image of a steer in between the words Golden and Steer. They also advertise Prime Rib and Seafood on the wrap around sign.
Sign - type of display: Incandescents surrounding all of their "reader board" type signs, no neon tubing
Sign - media: Plastic and steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Reader board type plastic for for all the wording
Sign animation: Chasing:
Notes: ncandescent light bulbs
Sign environment: On West Sahara a few blocks West of Las Vegas Blvd.
Sign manufacturer: Wright Signs
Sign designer: Origninal Steer from the 60's and John Burke said the record of the designer was lost
Sign - date of installation: Pylon sign-1960's but refabricated around 2015 to its original condition, but still original steer. Sign above entrance still from the 1970's.
Sign - date of redesign/move: Pylon sign-1960's but restored around 2015 to its original condition, but still original steer. Sign above entrance still from the 1970's.
Sign - thematic influences: Sign shows old west type font. The Golden sculptural steer helps show it is a steakhouse but one that is top of the line since their sign is golden.
Sign - artistic significance: Opened in 1958, still had the prominent old west/ ranch theme that was popular in Vegas in the 1950's. Though the interior was classy their signage shows the old west cowboy style.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's page, Golden Steer website https://www.goldensteerlasvegas.com/our_history.html , Telephone conversation with John Burke the General Manager of the restaurant
Survey - research notes: John Burke has a lot of great info on their signage as well as their property. Also the Golden Steer website had a great history of the property.
Survey - other remarks: Some of the older Golden Steer signage is in the Neon Museum.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-07-28
Sign keywords: Sculptural; Plastic; Steel; Incandescent; Chasing; Reader board; Building-front design; Pole sign
Site name: Golden Steer Steak House (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Site address: 308 W Sahara Ave
Sign owner: Dr. Michael J. Signorelli has owned it since 2001 after purchasing it from the original owners
Sign details: Opened 1958, and started expanding in the 1970's by buying out neighboring shops. They redesigned their interior in the 90's but still kept it true to the original design. The Rat Pack was known to frequent this steakhouse and even have a dedicated booth to them. Tony Spilotro, Elvis Presley and Nat "King" Cole were a few of the many famous customers. This is the Oldest Steakhouse in Las Vegas, and still maintains their original old Vegas dining style.
Sign condition: 4-The sign looks as though it has aged, but it has done so gracefully
Sign form: Pylon with sculptural element and entrance sign on building
Sign-specific description: The Pylon sign has the main logo stating "Golden Steer Steakhouse" on a yellow sign with a black border. The black border has yellow/gold incandescent light bulbs with a small gold Fleur-de-Lis on the top. Under the main logo there is a shelf/stage holding a golden sculptural steer. The sign above the entrance is a wrap around yellow sign similar to their pylon sign with their logo and an image of a steer in between the words Golden and Steer. They also advertise Prime Rib and Seafood on the wrap around sign.
Sign - type of display: Incandescents surrounding all of their "reader board" type signs, no neon tubing
Sign - media: Plastic and steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Reader board type plastic for for all the wording
Sign animation: Chasing:
Notes: ncandescent light bulbs
Sign environment: On West Sahara a few blocks West of Las Vegas Blvd.
Sign manufacturer: Wright Signs
Sign designer: Origninal Steer from the 60's and John Burke said the record of the designer was lost
Sign - date of installation: Pylon sign-1960's but refabricated around 2015 to its original condition, but still original steer. Sign above entrance still from the 1970's.
Sign - date of redesign/move: Pylon sign-1960's but restored around 2015 to its original condition, but still original steer. Sign above entrance still from the 1970's.
Sign - thematic influences: Sign shows old west type font. The Golden sculptural steer helps show it is a steakhouse but one that is top of the line since their sign is golden.
Sign - artistic significance: Opened in 1958, still had the prominent old west/ ranch theme that was popular in Vegas in the 1950's. Though the interior was classy their signage shows the old west cowboy style.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's page, Golden Steer website https://www.goldensteerlasvegas.com/our_history.html , Telephone conversation with John Burke the General Manager of the restaurant
Survey - research notes: John Burke has a lot of great info on their signage as well as their property. Also the Golden Steer website had a great history of the property.
Survey - other remarks: Some of the older Golden Steer signage is in the Neon Museum.
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-07-28
Sign keywords: Sculptural; Plastic; Steel; Incandescent; Chasing; Reader board; Building-front design; Pole sign
Mixed Content
Donna Silva Lighting Design Plans
Identifier
MS-01151
Abstract
The Donna Silva Lighting Design Plans (1986-1996) contain blueprints and schedule binders for a number of projects Silva worked on in Las Vegas, Nevada including the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, The Orleans Hotel & Casino, Golden Nugget, and the MGM Grand Hotel. Also included are lighting plans for the Foxwoods Resort Casino (operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) in Connecticut, Caesars Atlantic City, and Players Island (now CasaBlanca Resort) in Mesquite, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Speech transcript by Senator Chic Hecht, Bonds for Israel, November 17, 1985
Date
1985-11-17
Description
Transcript of a speech delivered by Senator Chic Hecht at an Israel Bond Dinner regarding the Jewish experience in the United States, the needs of Israel, and affairs in the Middle East.
Text
Photographs of Fergusons Motel sign at sundown, Las Vegas (Nev.), June 28, 2017
Date
2017-06-28
2017-08-16
Description
The Fergusons Motel sign, restored by Downtown Project, sits at 1028 Fremont Street. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site address: 1028 Fremont St
Sign owner: 1028 Fremont LLC (Assessor) /Downtown Las Vegas Project (Bruzda, 2016; Millward, 2017; Schoenmann, 2013; Snel 2014)
Sign details: The building was constructed in 1946 (Assessor). The business opened originally as the Franklin Motel (RoadsideArchitecure.com). The motel may have been renamed Ferguson's in 1962 (Las Vegas motels-Then and Now). The current sign probably dates from the late 1950's or 1960's and is not from the Franklin (RoadsideArchitecture.com). Downtown Project partners purchased Fergusons Motel in December 2012 and the property was closed as of 2013 (Schoennmann, 2013). The Downtown Project planned to convert the motel's 69 rooms into retail shops, offices, taverns and a restaurant (Schoenmann). As of May 2017, no construction had been completed and The Downtown Project had altered its plans to instead use the site for residences, restaurants and art space (Millward, 2017).
Sign condition: Condition is 5. The sign has been reconditioned to look like new.
Sign form: Pole
Sign-specific description: The sign is mounted on a rectangular metal pole which is painted yellow. Attached to the street side of the pole are several metal cabinets joined to form an "L" shape which points toward the motel. The bottom cabinet contains the word "KITCHENS", which runs horizontally in white painted sans serif letters and white sans serif skeleton neon letters. Below "KITCHENS" is a white plastic light box. Below the lightbox are two rows of intertwining clear light bulbs. The bottom of the metal cabinet is shaped like two undulating waves. Over the top of "KITCHENS" is a small cabinet which spells out "VACANCY" in white san serif letters which are covered by clear skeleton neon sans serif letters spelling out, "Sorry NO VACANCY". The word "MOTEL" runs vertically down the sign in white painted and white neon letters, all san serif. Neon tubes outline the letters while another tube runs down the center. Running down the street side of the sign are three intertwining rows of clear light bulbs. The top of the cabinet is painted green in the shape of a chevron or boomerang. The bottom sides of the boomerang intersect at a perpendicular angle and the top is curved. The tip of the boomerang juts out from the sign toward the hotel. The interior of the boomerang is traced by three rows of skeleton neon. On top of the boomerang is a yellow circle outlined in light blue. The blue outline contains 16 clear light bulbs. The yellow interior of the circle has 16 spiral rows of clear light bulbs running from the exterior to the interior of the circle. The yellow pole which supports the sign runs through a lozenge shaped blue metal cabinet. The cabinet states, "FERGUSONS" in Googie style white letters and skeleton neon and "DOWNTOWN" is sans serif white letters and skeleton neon. Above the cabinet, attached to a pole, is a white statue of a climbing figure which is similar to other figures on Fremont Street and was likely added to the sign by the Downtown Project.
Sign - type of display: Neon and incandescent
Sign - media: Steel and plastic. Possibly fiberglass for the climbing figure.
Sign - non-neon treatments: Incandescent light bulbs, light box
Sign environment: In the East Fremont district this motel is surrounded by other motels many of which are also currently closed.
Sign - date of installation: Circa late 1950's/ 1960's
Sign - date of redesign/move: The sign is probably from the late 1950's or 1960's (RoadsideArchitecture.com). A postcard from the 1960's shows the background of the "MOTEL" portion of the sign painted black (Garofalo, 2011). Below "FERGUSONS" hung two smaller signs: the top sign displayed the AAA symbol and the words, "Phone", "Pool" and "T-V" (Garofalo, 2011). The lower sign displayed three badges (auto clubs?).
Sign - artistic significance: The sign design style is Googie.
Survey - research locations: Bruzda, N. (2016 May 2). Construction planned for Fergusons Motel in downtown Las Vegas still yet to be seen. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/construction-planned-for-fergusons-motel-in-downtown-las-vegas-still-yet-to-be-seen/ Clark County Assessor. Parcel No. 139-35-201-006. Retrieved from http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/assessor/Pages/PropertyRecords.aspx?H=redrock&P=assrrealprop/pcl.aspx Garofalo, M. (2011 November 1). Still standing-Fergusons[sic] Motel [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/vintageroadtrip/6305057708/in/photolist-aBa4Zw-qeNAZa-fxWx3V-54q1dr-7qs1A1-81uYMJ-9i1MAF-pUfCjM-m57jkW-8BzGrN-nM1Nyq-zCCx9s-EJBciL-BkTrgS-zpiF94-aW6aKv-2ZFRQ4-opLfq5-riESKk-n8Wdz-qmMWgN-riESNg-FW15N3-dvx2N-7As5GF-aC7z44-omUMSx-qmMWKy-5XLHvx-evbtLo-onbi7i-635ftN-UhMyz7-8sfVoW-BVWgRY-m8qWB8-ev8mFD-6sadvS-8FdMPf-pBdbtQ-etP68R-pfCeRE-54HNiA-9uFAxg-3b4UbW-FWTWBt-pjCShX-8Bv6mp-aUDgVc-qUKBLu Las Vegas motels-Then and now. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://stefanidrivesvegas.com/2.html Millward, W. T. (2017 May 8). Plans to turn Fergusons Motel into mixed-use campus advance. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/plans-to-turn-fergusons-motel-into-mixed-use-campus-advance/ RoadsideArchitecture.com. Fergusons Motel. Retrieved from http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas2.html Schoenmann, J. (2013 July 3). Joe Downtown: Ferguson Motel being converted into taverns, retail spaces. Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved from https://lasvegassun.com/news/2013/jul/03/joe-downtown-ferguson-motel-being-converted-tavern/ Snel, A. (2014 August 5). New plans proposed for rundown Fremont Street motel. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/new-plans-proposed-for-rundown-fremont-street-motel/
Surveyor: Mitchell Cohen
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-16
Sign keywords: Steel; Plastic; Fiberglass; Incandescent; Pole sign; Neon
Site address: 1028 Fremont St
Sign owner: 1028 Fremont LLC (Assessor) /Downtown Las Vegas Project (Bruzda, 2016; Millward, 2017; Schoenmann, 2013; Snel 2014)
Sign details: The building was constructed in 1946 (Assessor). The business opened originally as the Franklin Motel (RoadsideArchitecure.com). The motel may have been renamed Ferguson's in 1962 (Las Vegas motels-Then and Now). The current sign probably dates from the late 1950's or 1960's and is not from the Franklin (RoadsideArchitecture.com). Downtown Project partners purchased Fergusons Motel in December 2012 and the property was closed as of 2013 (Schoennmann, 2013). The Downtown Project planned to convert the motel's 69 rooms into retail shops, offices, taverns and a restaurant (Schoenmann). As of May 2017, no construction had been completed and The Downtown Project had altered its plans to instead use the site for residences, restaurants and art space (Millward, 2017).
Sign condition: Condition is 5. The sign has been reconditioned to look like new.
Sign form: Pole
Sign-specific description: The sign is mounted on a rectangular metal pole which is painted yellow. Attached to the street side of the pole are several metal cabinets joined to form an "L" shape which points toward the motel. The bottom cabinet contains the word "KITCHENS", which runs horizontally in white painted sans serif letters and white sans serif skeleton neon letters. Below "KITCHENS" is a white plastic light box. Below the lightbox are two rows of intertwining clear light bulbs. The bottom of the metal cabinet is shaped like two undulating waves. Over the top of "KITCHENS" is a small cabinet which spells out "VACANCY" in white san serif letters which are covered by clear skeleton neon sans serif letters spelling out, "Sorry NO VACANCY". The word "MOTEL" runs vertically down the sign in white painted and white neon letters, all san serif. Neon tubes outline the letters while another tube runs down the center. Running down the street side of the sign are three intertwining rows of clear light bulbs. The top of the cabinet is painted green in the shape of a chevron or boomerang. The bottom sides of the boomerang intersect at a perpendicular angle and the top is curved. The tip of the boomerang juts out from the sign toward the hotel. The interior of the boomerang is traced by three rows of skeleton neon. On top of the boomerang is a yellow circle outlined in light blue. The blue outline contains 16 clear light bulbs. The yellow interior of the circle has 16 spiral rows of clear light bulbs running from the exterior to the interior of the circle. The yellow pole which supports the sign runs through a lozenge shaped blue metal cabinet. The cabinet states, "FERGUSONS" in Googie style white letters and skeleton neon and "DOWNTOWN" is sans serif white letters and skeleton neon. Above the cabinet, attached to a pole, is a white statue of a climbing figure which is similar to other figures on Fremont Street and was likely added to the sign by the Downtown Project.
Sign - type of display: Neon and incandescent
Sign - media: Steel and plastic. Possibly fiberglass for the climbing figure.
Sign - non-neon treatments: Incandescent light bulbs, light box
Sign environment: In the East Fremont district this motel is surrounded by other motels many of which are also currently closed.
Sign - date of installation: Circa late 1950's/ 1960's
Sign - date of redesign/move: The sign is probably from the late 1950's or 1960's (RoadsideArchitecture.com). A postcard from the 1960's shows the background of the "MOTEL" portion of the sign painted black (Garofalo, 2011). Below "FERGUSONS" hung two smaller signs: the top sign displayed the AAA symbol and the words, "Phone", "Pool" and "T-V" (Garofalo, 2011). The lower sign displayed three badges (auto clubs?).
Sign - artistic significance: The sign design style is Googie.
Survey - research locations: Bruzda, N. (2016 May 2). Construction planned for Fergusons Motel in downtown Las Vegas still yet to be seen. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/construction-planned-for-fergusons-motel-in-downtown-las-vegas-still-yet-to-be-seen/ Clark County Assessor. Parcel No. 139-35-201-006. Retrieved from http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/assessor/Pages/PropertyRecords.aspx?H=redrock&P=assrrealprop/pcl.aspx Garofalo, M. (2011 November 1). Still standing-Fergusons[sic] Motel [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/vintageroadtrip/6305057708/in/photolist-aBa4Zw-qeNAZa-fxWx3V-54q1dr-7qs1A1-81uYMJ-9i1MAF-pUfCjM-m57jkW-8BzGrN-nM1Nyq-zCCx9s-EJBciL-BkTrgS-zpiF94-aW6aKv-2ZFRQ4-opLfq5-riESKk-n8Wdz-qmMWgN-riESNg-FW15N3-dvx2N-7As5GF-aC7z44-omUMSx-qmMWKy-5XLHvx-evbtLo-onbi7i-635ftN-UhMyz7-8sfVoW-BVWgRY-m8qWB8-ev8mFD-6sadvS-8FdMPf-pBdbtQ-etP68R-pfCeRE-54HNiA-9uFAxg-3b4UbW-FWTWBt-pjCShX-8Bv6mp-aUDgVc-qUKBLu Las Vegas motels-Then and now. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://stefanidrivesvegas.com/2.html Millward, W. T. (2017 May 8). Plans to turn Fergusons Motel into mixed-use campus advance. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/plans-to-turn-fergusons-motel-into-mixed-use-campus-advance/ RoadsideArchitecture.com. Fergusons Motel. Retrieved from http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas2.html Schoenmann, J. (2013 July 3). Joe Downtown: Ferguson Motel being converted into taverns, retail spaces. Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved from https://lasvegassun.com/news/2013/jul/03/joe-downtown-ferguson-motel-being-converted-tavern/ Snel, A. (2014 August 5). New plans proposed for rundown Fremont Street motel. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/new-plans-proposed-for-rundown-fremont-street-motel/
Surveyor: Mitchell Cohen
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-16
Sign keywords: Steel; Plastic; Fiberglass; Incandescent; Pole sign; Neon
Mixed Content
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