Saturday Travel Feature
The Strip
Las Vegas, Nevada
Neon signs define Las Vegas, the entertainment capitol of the world. And the most dense areas of neon signs in Las Vegas are the old and the new "strips". The old strip is on Fremont Street with its Gold Nugget Casino, anchored by the Plaza Hotel and roofed by the light show "The Fremont Experience". The new strip has now assumed the name and is just called "The Strip". It is Las Vegas Boulevard. Both old and new strips ooze neon. But what happens to the neon signs when a casino is demolished or a sign is obsolete? They go to the Neon Museum Boneyard, of course.
"These are exciting times at the Neon Museum!
"First, we are happy to report that the Bow and Arrow, the Binion’s Horseshoe, and the Silver Slipper have all been restored to their original condition and are now located on medians along Las Vegas Blvd. North. The restoration of these signs is just the first phase of what will be a series of signs restored for placement along the downtown Las Vegas Scenic Byway. It is a thrill to experience the signs as they were meant to be seen-floating lights dancing in the sky along the boulevard. Here’s to making the downtown Las Vegas skyline that much brighter!
"In other exciting news, construction on the city of Las Vegas’ Neon Boneyard Park began on February 8. The park will sit adjacent to the La Concha on Las Vegas Blvd. North and will complement the campus of the Neon Museum Boneyard and visitor’s center...The Neon Boneyard Park project signals the first phase of the development of the beautiful Neon Museum and Boneyard campus.
"Finally, we are pleased to report the acquisition of two new signs: the Apache Motel and the Queen of Hearts. The Queen of Hearts and The Apache Motel previously sat downtown on the site of the future City Hall. Anne Meyers’ Queen of Hearts opened in the mid-70s, but the building originally opened in 1964 as The Casbah with Moroccan-themed architecture. The Apache Motel is a fantastic example of classic roadside signage." (Link.)
Photo: Taken in Las Vegas in 1998 by SW.
Link : http://www.neonmuseum.org/news.html
