Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" Sign
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The sign, just to the south of the Las Vegas Strip, welcoming visitors to the city in 2015
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 Location in Las Vegas Boulevard
Location in Nevada
Location in the United States
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| Location | 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South Paradise, Nevada, U.S. 89119 |
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| Built | 1959 |
| Architect | Betty Willis |
| Architectural style | Googie |
| NRHP reference No. | 09000284 |
| Added to NRHP | May 1, 2009 |
The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is a famous landmark in Las Vegas. It was put up in May 1959 by a company called Western Neon. A talented artist named Betty Willis designed the sign. She created it for a local salesman, Ted Rogich, who then sold it to Clark County.
This iconic sign is located in the middle of the road at 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South. It sits in a place called Paradise, about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the actual city limits of Las Vegas. Many people think of it as the official start of the famous Las Vegas Strip. Even though it's not technically in the city of Las Vegas, the whole area is often just called "Las Vegas."
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What Does the Las Vegas Sign Look Like?
The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is about 25 feet (7.6 meters) tall. It's a classic roadside sign, shaped like a stretched diamond. The top and bottom points are sharp, while the sides are rounded. Bright yellow lights flash and chase around its edge, making it really stand out.
Special Features of the Sign
At the top, there are white neon circles. These circles are designed to look like silver dollars, honoring Nevada's nickname, "the Silver State." Each circle has a red letter, outlined in neon, spelling out "Welcome."
Right at the very top, between the two poles, is a red, eight-pointed star. This star is outlined with yellow neon and looks like it's bursting with energy.
Messages on Both Sides
The front of the sign, which faces south, says "Welcome" in the silver dollars. Below that, it reads "to Fabulous" in a cool, curvy 1950s style. Then, "Las Vegas" is written in big, red capital letters. Finally, "Nevada" is in smaller blue capital letters.
The back of the sign, which faces north, is seen by people leaving Las Vegas. It has a different message: "Drive" on the top line, "Carefully" on the second, "Come Back" in script, and "Soon" on the last line. This design style is known as Googie architecture, which was popular for its futuristic look.
History of the Famous Sign
The sign was built and put in place in 1959 by Western Electric Displays. Betty Willis, who worked for the company, designed it. Building the sign cost $4,000 back then.
A Gift to the City
Betty Willis famously said that she considered the sign her "gift to the city." She chose not to copyright it, hoping it would be used widely and become more famous. She once joked that it would be nice to get a dime for every time it's been used!
The `Young Electric Sign Company` (YESCO) has owned the sign since the early 1960s. They lease it to Clark County, which means the county pays to use it.
Becoming a Historic Landmark
In 2009, the sign was officially added to the `National Register of Historic Places`. This means it's recognized as an important historical site in the United States. Later, in 2013, it was also added to the State Register of Historic Places for Nevada.
When Betty Willis passed away in 2015, Clark County honored her by declaring May 5, 2015, "Betty Willis Day."
Making the Sign Area Safer
For many years, taking a photo with the sign was a bit risky. There wasn't a safe place to park, and visitors had to cross busy roads to reach it.
New Parking and Walkways
To make it safer and easier for people to visit, Clark County made some big improvements. In December 2008, a project costing $400,000 was finished. It added a parking lot with 12 spaces and special areas for buses and limousines. A paved walkway also led from the parking lot right to the sign.
These improvements were a huge success! So many people wanted to see the sign that the small parking lot quickly became too crowded.
More Parking and Safety Upgrades
In April 2012, another $500,000 was spent to add 20 more parking spaces. Then, in April 2015, a third project costing $900,000 added 21 more spaces. This project also included new crosswalks with traffic signals. These changes made it much safer for pedestrians to get to the sign.
Special Moments at the Sign
The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign has been part of many important events over the years.
- Supporting Health: On January 31, 2008, the sign turned red to support National Wear Red Day. This day helps teach people about heart health, especially for women.
- Earth Hour: On March 28, 2009, the sign, along with many other lights on the Las Vegas Strip, was turned off for one hour. This was part of `Earth Hour`, a worldwide event to raise awareness about climate change.
- 50th Anniversary: On May 14, 2009, Las Vegas celebrated the sign's 50th birthday. It was a big party that even tried to set a `Guinness Book of World Records` for a parade featuring swimsuits from different decades.
- "Camp Vegas": For the first time ever, the sign's message was changed on April 28, 2010. A special cover was placed over it, reading "Welcome to Fabulous Camp Vegas" to launch a new marketing campaign. This cover stayed on for 36 hours.
- Remembering Victims: On October 5, 2017, after a tragic event in Las Vegas, 58 crosses were placed behind the sign. Each cross honored a victim who had lost their life.
- National Convention: On August 18, 2020, the sign was featured during the `2020 Democratic National Convention`. It was the location for Nevada's official roll-call vote.
Other "Welcome" Signs and Souvenirs
The original sign is so famous that it has inspired other signs and souvenirs.
Replica Signs Around Town
- In 2002, a similar sign saying "Welcome to Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas" was put up in downtown Las Vegas. This sign was later replaced by the "Gateway Arches" in 2020.
- On March 6, 2007, another replica was installed on `Boulder Highway`. This one represents the entrance to the "Boulder Strip" area of casinos.
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The "Welcome to Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas Nevada" sign at the `Fremont Street Experience` in 2025. - In 2013, a "Welcome to Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas" sign was added to the SlotZilla Zipline attraction at the `Fremont Street Experience`.
- In 2022, the Chapel of the Flowers put up a sign saying "Married in Fabulous Las Vegas." This celebrated the millions of couples who have gotten married in the city.
Sign Souvenirs
- In 2004, small replicas of the sign that light up were sold to help raise money for the Nevada Cancer Institute.
- In 2005, the sign's image was even put on `Nevada license plates` to celebrate Las Vegas's 100th birthday.
- Since 2012, you can even take a photo in front of a replica sign at `Harry Reid International Airport`.
- Today, the company that maintains the sign, YESCO, sells the actual light bulbs that have been replaced from the sign. They come in a special box with a letter proving they are real!
See also
In Spanish: Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas para niños
- List of public art in Las Vegas
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Clark County, Nevada
- Vegas Vic, another famous symbol of Las Vegas
- Reno Arch (The Biggest Little City in the World), the famous "welcome sign" of Reno
