The first of three vintage neon signs will be set into place on Las Vegas Boulevard, in the Cultural Corridor, on Monday night, Aug. 24, during the overnight hours. The completely refurbished Bow & Arrow Motel sign will be installed in a median island north of Bonanza Road, as part of the $1.1 million Neon Sign Improvement Project.

Years ago, the Bow & Arrow Motel was located on Las Vegas Boulevard at Wyoming Avenue near Dino’s. The sign is believed to have been installed at the motel during the late 1950s or early 60s.

A total of three completely restored neon signs are planned for placement on Las Vegas Boulevard, from Bonanza to just north of Washington Avenue, as part of this project. New landscaped median islands are also being installed.

The other two signs that will be installed in the coming weeks are the Silver Slipper sign that sat atop the Silver Slipper Gambling Hall, and the Binion’s Horseshoe sign that used to be at Binion’s Horseshoe Casino on Fremont Street.

Once the signs are in place, crews will work to provide power and conduct a series of tests prior to the signs being officially put into service.

The signs being installed on Las Vegas Boulevard are in the heart of Las Vegas’ Cultural Corridor. The corridor is made up of the highest concentration of cultural institutions in Las Vegas and includes Cashman Center, the Las Vegas Library, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Lied Discovery Children’s Museum, The Neon Museum, the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park, and the Reed Whipple Cultural Center.

These three signs are also the first in a series of historic neon signs that will be completely restored and eventually placed on Las Vegas Boulevard, from Washington to Sahara Avenue, as part of the Las Vegas Boulevard Scenic Byway Program.

Funding for this project is provided by the Centennial license plate fund and the city of Las Vegas. The signs that are being used in the project are on loan from the Neon Museum. The Bow & Arrow Motel sign was originally restored through donations to the Neon Museum in the name of Las Vegas historian Frank Wright.

Rafael Construction is the contractor. The city of Las Vegas is managing the project. The improvement project started in May and is slated for completion in late September or early October.

Photos courtesy of Brian "Paco" Alvarez. 

Want to know more fun historical facts and see historical images of many of the places on our "10 Fun Things to Do in Las Vegas" (as well as the history of the Strip and Neon Signs) then follow this link:

Las Vegas: 1905-1965

and purchase your autographed copy today!

For information on our upcoming Mid-Century Modern Salute to Walter Zick, click here

I'm tired of reading articles in papers like the Los Angeles Times (a paper that I used to love and is now barely on life-support) about all the things to do in Las Vegas.  Why?  Because they all revolve around gambling and shows.

Las Vegas is much more than just gambling, drinking and going to shows.  There is a whole side of the town that visitors and even locals rarely take the time to see.

So, we thought we'd list ten of our favorite things to do in and around Las Vegas that DON'T involve gambling or taking in a show.  Drinking afterwards is optional.  Just don't drive.

10.  Visit Boulder City.  The Best Dam town likes to bill itself as "A World Away in a Day".  Visiting Boulder City is like walking back in time.  There are no casinos and they are very stringent about building heights and growth.  Much of Boulder City looks like it did in the 1940s and the 1950s. 

Stop in at Milo's for sandwiches, cheese platters, dessert and some of the best wines (reasonably priced) in the Valley.  Since Dennis moved into town we don't haunt Milo's the way we used to but you have no excuse. 

Go, walk around, visit the antique shops, the galleries, the Boulder Dam Hotel and Museum (call ahead and make sure the Museum is open) and finish off your day with bite to eat at Milo's. Enjoy the patio dining and the people watching.   It's worth the trip.  Check and see if there are any events at the Boulder Theater (the fall Chatauqua might be coming).

9. Visit the Valley of Fire.  Everyone always talks about Red Rock Canyon on the other side of the Valley.  But this is one of the most amazing places in the Southwest.  Wonderful red rock formations, lots of history and landscape just made for taking pictures.  It's a State Park located not very far from Boulder City and on the way to Lake Mead.  It is Nevada's oldest and largest State Park, having been dedicated in 1935.  Ancient trees and early man are represented throughout the park by areas of petrified wood and 3,000 year-old Indian petroglyph. Popular activities include camping, hiking, picnicking and photography. The park offers a full-scale visitor center with extensive interpretive displays. Several group use areas are also available. The park is open all year.  Take plenty of drinking water and wear shoes made for hiking.

8.  Visit St. Thomas.  This Mormon farming community was a thriving little town until the construction of the Dam heralded it's demise.  The town was evacuated in the mid-1930s and the rising waters of Lake Mead submerged homes, civic buildings and the like.  The water in Lake Mead has shrunk so low that for the past few years the ruins of St. Thomas have been rising up.  Well, they are all on view now.  The Park Service has trails that lead down to the various ruins.  Take plenty of drinking water and wear hiking shoes.  It's a great way to spend a half a day examining the ruins.  On the way back, stop in Overton and take in the Lost City Museum.

7.  Visit the Techatticup Mine.  Down in Nelson, you can tour one of the most famous mines in Southern Nevada, the Techatticup.It's the oldest, richest and most famous gold mine in Southern Nevada. Located just 45 minutes outside of Las Vegas, they provide historical mining tours and scenic blue water cove trips on the Colorado River at the mouth of Black Canyon below Hoover Dam. You will visit historical sites where steamboats docked and stamp mills operated over 100 years ago.  Stop in at the small museum and soak up history.  Take plenty of drinking water and wear hiking shoes!

6.  Check out the wonderful Roadside Motels on East Fremont Street.  It may not look like the best neighborhood but it is filled with lots of history.  This is one of the largest collections of roadside motels from the 1940s and 1950s still standing.  From the Pair-a-Dice and the Blue Angel just past the turn from Boulder Highway all the way up to where the Ambassador East used to stand, you'll get an idea of what travelers to Las Vegas saw when they first arrived from Arizona and Utah.  Back in the day, this was the gateway to Fremont Street for many weary travelers.

5.  Visit the Nevada State Museum in Lorenzi Park.  Lorenzi Park has plenty of history all on its own but the State Museum being there is an extra bonus.  Due to state budget cuts, the Museum is only open from Wednesdays through Saturdays, 9:00 - 5:00 pm, but they have exhibits on the wildlife of Nevada, the history of Las Vegas (including the early days), a bat exhibit and a revolving exhibit.  Plus, the library has plenty of newspapers on microfiche for easy browsing.  The staff is great and eager to help.

4.  Visit the Las Vegas High School Historic Neighborhood.  Las Vegas High School, now the Performing Arts Academy, is the oldest high school in Las Vegas.  Built in the 1930s, it was the first high school built.  Located on 8th Street, just south of Fremont Street, it still stands as a testiment to the hardy families who helped Las Vegas grow.  Be sure to check out the Senior Squares on the front steps. Though the neighborhood is on the Historic Register, many of the houses which were lived in by those pioneering families are being torn down and McOffices are taking their place.  But you can still get a very good idea of the bucolic neighborhood it once was with it's charming architecture and manicured lawns.  Walking tour maps are available from the City website.  When finished, drive over to the Fifth Street School at Las Vegas Blvd South and Lewis, and tour the restored building of what was once our main grammar school.

3.  Visit the other historic neighborhoods around Las Vegas.  As Las Vegas began to grow, the city started spreading out.  Historic neighborhoods such as Huntridge, Marycrest, Alta, Bonanza Village, Beverly Green, Paradise Palms and John S. Parks all offer glimpes into the growth from a dusty railroad town to the Entertainment Capital of the World.

2.  Walk Fremont Street.  Forget the gambling and the girlie places.  Fremont Street is the oldest street in Las Vegas.  Read our Brief History (click on the link above) to get started.  From Main to 6th Street, if you look close enough you can still find glimpses of its historic past peeking out in the darndest places.  So, take a walk down to the El Cortez and back and pay attention to the buildings.  You'll be surprised at what you find.  Afterwards, go to Dona Maria's for some of the best and most reasonably priced Mexican food in Very Vintage Vegas!

1.  Start attending our monthly series, Untold Stories at the Springs Preserve.  We are beginning our third season at the Springs Preserve next week.  This is the only series that each month brings long-time residents out to talk about the history they made and that they witnessed.  Want to know more about the history of Las Vegas?  Then join us the first Thursday of every month (dark in January) and hear how history was made here from the people who lived it.  Upcoming topics include Mining in Southern Nevada, the History of the Moulin Rouge, Howard Hughes and Las Vegas and Las Vegas History You Don't Know.

First Thursday of Every Month at the Springs Preserve.  6:30 pm.  Come early and check out the museums, the hiking trails and the view.  The Springs is where Las Vegas began.  Without it's flowing water, no one would remember Las Vegas today.  So, come immerse yourself in history.  It won't hurt and you'll be surprised at how much you learn and how enjoyable history can be to learn!

For information on our upcoming Mid-Century Modern Salute to Walter Zick, click here.

The patriach of the Fertitta family has passed away.

From our pal, Mary Manning, at the Las Vegas Sun:

Frank Fertitta Jr., the patriarch of Station Casinos, died today after heart surgery in a California hospital.

Fertitta, 70, who had been ill for some time, died at Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles, sources close to the family said.

Fertitta came to Las Vegas from Texas at 21 years old. He started working as a bellman, then a blackjack dealer and worked his way into management.

He believed that Las Vegas needed a casino where locals could visit and where casino workers could come after work.

The Station Casinos empire started in 1976 when Fertitta opened The Casino off the Las Vegas Strip. The name was changed to Bingo Palace and ultimately was renamed Palace Station in 1983.

In the 1990s, Station opened Boulder Station in 1994, then Texas Station in 1995, Barley's in 1996 and Sunset Station in 1997.

Station purchased the King 8 in 1998, renaming it The Wild, Wild West.

Then Station acquired the Santa Fe and Fiesta, which opened in 1995, as well as the Reserve in 1998 in the southeast valley.

Station Casino has grown to 19 properties and has been voted among "the best companies to work for," in Fortune magazine.

His sons, Frank III and Lorenzo, took over the company in 1993.

The Fertitta family has been known for its philanthropy in the Las Vegas community for decades.

From the R-J:

Station Casinos founder Frank Fertitta Jr. died this morning in Los Angeles, sources confirmed.

Fertitta, 71, one of the gaming industry’s pioneers who came to Las Vegas in 1960, founded the company’s original Bingo Palace that was transformed into the Palace Station. He also bought the Boulder Highway land that would eventually accommodate Boulder Station.

Fertitta left the company in 1993 when Station Casinos had its initial public offering, turning the business over to his sons.

After leaving the company, Fertitta privately financed the building of the Texas Station on Rancho Road in 1994, but sold the property at cost to Station Casinos before its opening in 1995.

For information on our upcoming Mid-Century Modern Salute to Walter Zick, click here.

The Wilbur Clark/Alarmco Building near the Stratosphere

Bank of Nevada

Parkway Plaza (now Amall) at Sahara and Maryland Parkway

Vegas Village across from Parkway Plaza with the beginnings of Commercial Center behind it.

The carousel is out front.

Special thanks to Dennis McBride and the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas for letting us use these images from the Jay Florian Mitchell collection.