Las Vegas never fits within a definite definition. Because of its billion lights, it is often referred to as the brightest spot on earth. Few call it the city of sin. Others hear music all around. The food is scrumptious, the water fountains are rhythmic and the view from High Roller, the world’s largest observation wheel, is stupendous. There’s art on the walls and expensive brands are around every bend. Most know about its busy casinos and enthralling shows. All this within the 3.5-mile strip of the desert that sleeps during the day and stays up all night.
All this is known about Las Vegas. However, not many know about its graveyard. Yes, a boneyard. Not a human graveyard with epitaphs etched on tombstones. No flowers in memory. But a boneyard, where all neon signs come to die. In downtown Las Vegas, there is a Neon Sign Museum, perhaps the only one of its kind in the world. This outdoor collection has …show more content…
The museum officially opened with the installation of its first restored sign, the Hacienda Horse and Rider, at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Fremont Street. Because of the nature of the artefacts, entry is only permitted with guided tours. That’s where one hears stories of how aviation baron Howard Hughes bought the hotel Desert Inn because he and his entourage were asked to vacate after a long stay in the hotel. Then, one day he bought another hotel across the street. There’s the sign with cocktails which hastily popped up after the end of prohibition in the US. The signs also depict the changes and trends in design and technology that range from the 1930s to the present day. At night, the museum harks back to the neon heyday. A few restored signs are lit exactly like the original. At the Neon Museum, it is almost like living Las Vegas’ yesterday
All this is known about Las Vegas. However, not many know about its graveyard. Yes, a boneyard. Not a human graveyard with epitaphs etched on tombstones. No flowers in memory. But a boneyard, where all neon signs come to die. In downtown Las Vegas, there is a Neon Sign Museum, perhaps the only one of its kind in the world. This outdoor collection has …show more content…
The museum officially opened with the installation of its first restored sign, the Hacienda Horse and Rider, at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Fremont Street. Because of the nature of the artefacts, entry is only permitted with guided tours. That’s where one hears stories of how aviation baron Howard Hughes bought the hotel Desert Inn because he and his entourage were asked to vacate after a long stay in the hotel. Then, one day he bought another hotel across the street. There’s the sign with cocktails which hastily popped up after the end of prohibition in the US. The signs also depict the changes and trends in design and technology that range from the 1930s to the present day. At night, the museum harks back to the neon heyday. A few restored signs are lit exactly like the original. At the Neon Museum, it is almost like living Las Vegas’ yesterday