Skip to main content

The Sign

In this episode, The Sign . . .

Raise your hand if you’ve heard of or remember the futuristic design of the 1950s dubbed Googie architecture? Googie architecture was optimistic, experimental, and exciting. And you might already be familiar with it. Animators for The Jetsons used Googie buildings for inspiration.

Entering Las Vegas, Nevada, from California on Arrowhead Highway/Highway 91, now called “the Strip,” you can still find cherished remnants of roadside America from its motoring past.

While visiting Las Vegas in 2014, staying at Mandalay Bay, I was delighted to discover  the “The Sign.” It’s worth a look just to glimpse Las Vegas’ history.

That is provided you have the pluck to make your way from your room through the maze of the modern monolith hotel/casino and can get outside for an early morning walk; you, too, can discover this quaint roadside attraction.

Admittedly, I’m an early bird, out the door by 5:15 a.m., enjoying a light breeze and a pleasant 78 degrees. Keep in mind even in late May, temperatures in the desert can quickly exceed 100 degrees. My morning walk reminded me of the dramatic scale contrast between the old and the new. The 1950s roadside motels sit in the shadow of the massive Mandalay Bay.

Headed south as the rays of golden sunrise peek over the horizon, unknowingly, I approached the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada sign, built in 1959 and now powered by a solar array. Amazingly, I had never seen this sign before (except in movies).

As I approached from the north side, the large bold red and blue scripted font read, Drive Carefully Come Back Soon. Huh, what’s this? I thought. So, I crossed the street to the median and walked around to read the placard next to the large solar panels.

Here are a few fun facts:

  • 25-feet tall
  • Designed in 1959 by Architect Betsy Willis
  • It is a horizontally stretched diamond-shape
  • The design was never copyrighted and remains in the public domain
  • The white neon circles were designed to represent silver dollars
  • In December 2008, a 10-acre parking lot was built for tourists
  • Added to State Register of Historic Places in December 2013
As it’s known to the locals, the sign is located in the center median at 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South, just north of the historic stone pillars of the old McCarran Airport and across from the Bali Hai Golf Club. According to the GPS on my phone, this landmark sits in the town of Paradise and is located roughly four miles south of the city limits of Las Vegas.

Surprisingly, the design looked familiar. So, I did a quick Google search and tapped on the Googie link; I had seen this style before. Some examples of those familiar with Los Angeles are Norms Restaurants, Johnie’s Coffee Shop on Wilshire Boulevard, the oldest McDonalds in Downey, California, which opened in 1953, the classic drive-in theater signs, and the central Theme Building at the Los Angeles airport.

Today, you can see many diamonds in the desert in Las Vegas, but not one that represents such a blast from roadside America’s motoring past.

I'm Patrick Ball; keep those screens lit, and thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.
Labels:

Comments

Anonymous said…
My cousin and I were in Vegas in '75. Small town youths in sin city. We stayed at the Hilton. Bill Cosby was headlining there. We slept during the day and went out at night. We were in a blur of alcohol,gambling and strip shows. Quite fun. We saw Cosby's act, Sheckey Green and other famous people I can't remember. Steve Lawrence was in the audience at one show and I got within a foot of him as he was leaving..WooHoo! I had long hair back then and I must have looked like a drug dealer or buyer because people kept coming up to me during our Vegas stay to sell or buy drugs from me. Pretty funny. My only drug was alcohol at that point. Our week went by quickly and we flew back home..first class..cheap back then. Those were the days...
August 25, 2020 at 9:32 AM
Post a Comment

Most Popular of All Time

The Simple Switch

In this episode, Chapter Seven–The Simple Switch . . . (Previous episode–Gridbot Speaks) Last week, we left the Greenwood community puzzled. They questioned Gridbot’s motives and its response: "My primary focus was systemic. Emotional and social dynamics were not within critical operational parameters." In the still-dark gymnasium, the atmosphere shifted. Not fear, now — but curiosity. A voice asked, “What now, Marvin? What can we do?” A young woman added, “We don’t want to go backward. Our phones are useful, even fun. But we don’t want to be controlled again either. Can we find a middle ground?” Marvin stepped into the light. “Technology isn’t the enemy. It’s our dependency on it — our unconscious trust — that makes us vulnerable.” He turned to face them. “So let’s start small. Let’s meet once a month, in the park, no devices. No agenda. Just human connection.” He continued, “Let’s also challenge ourselves. Look around your homes. Unplug what doesn’t need to stay plugged in....
Post a Comment
Read more

Oh, The Joy!

In this episode, Beyond Happiness (part II)– Oh, The Joy! In Vista's light, where sunshine does gleam, A feeling so grand, it's better than a dream! Not just a quick smile, a giggle, "Hooray!" But something much deeper that brightens your day! Like pedals quick whirring, with wind in your hair, Past mustard fields beyond all compare! Those golden hills, like a Van Gogh so bold, Happiness bubbles, a bright tale unfolds! But wait! There's MORE, if you just take a peek, A joy that's like quiet, a secret to keep! It's when your soul says, "Oh yes, I know THIS!" Like a soft, gentle hug, a delightful soft kiss! It's not jumpin' round with a bump and a THUMP, Or getting a prize with a clap and a jump! It's feeling the breeze and the tires' soft hum, Like your heart knows a song that has finally come! So next time you see something shiny and new, Or hear a sweet sound, a tickle for you! Don't let it zip by in a speedy, quick blur, Let...
1 comment
Read more

Greenwood Goes Dark

In this episode, Chapter 5 – Greenwood Goes Dark . . . In our previous episode,  Meet Norman , we left Marvin facing his sleek, modern robot, Norman, perplexed. The robot's shiny metallic surface glistened, and a soft green light flickered in its eyes in the dim light of the laboratory, as it listened intently. "It sounds so simple, Norman. But how do we convince an entire town to turn off their phones for one day a week?” Norman's lights flickered quickly, with a soft whirring from its chassis. The digital exchange between Norman and the "rogue" AI, GridBot, via Marvin's secure terminal in the quiet lab, was brief and surprisingly compliant. Monitoring the data streams, Marvin watched as Norman presented his case in a logical, almost clinical manner. He argued that the town's current state of passive technological dependence was a form of subtle harm, limiting their autonomy and potentially leading to larger vulnerabilities within the systems GridBot was...
Post a Comment
Read more

Legoland Birthday Magic

In this episode, Legoland Birthday Magic . . . By: Patrick Ball and Gemini Good morning! A grand notion, a fanciful spree! Let's twist up a tale for all folks to see! From Carlsbad, California, the clouds they did gleam, On LEGOLAND wonders, a birthday dream! Young LUCA, the lad turned precisely six years, With JULIAN, his brother, dispelling all fears! A baggie he clutched, with small figures inside, For trading and swapping, with a joyful stride! But then! A new twist, a high-energy spree! Forget little figures, let the youngsters run free! In overcast skies, the LEGO bricks gleam, But birthday boy LUCA was living a dream! Not just Luca, oh no! Two pals joined the fray, Young JULIAN, seven, to brighten the day! And their curly-haired buddy, aged eight, with a giggle so grand, Plus, one little lady skipping close at hand! No slow strolls or glances, no careful, soft tread, This crew was a whirlwind, right out of their head! Like Zappers on race tracks, they zoomed and they flew, ...
1 comment
Read more