You too can own a little piece of Las Vegas for the low, low price of $39.95. The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign replica is more than a 12-inch piece of plastic; it's a reflection of an icon that symbolizes the soul of the city.
The dearly beloved, original sign was sold to the county for $4,000 (even though the state owned the land it stands on) by none other than Western Neon sales guy Ted Rogich, the father of one Sig Rogich, the venerable consultant to presidents, casino moguls, religious leaders and boxing promoters alike.
Rogich Sr. directed a young graphic designer, Betty Willis, to create something on the spendy side, which is why it is such an odd shape with lots of colors and circles. Willis also can lay claim to creating our city's artistic muse, the Blue Angel that floats on high at East Fremont Street at Boulder Highway.
The fate of Willis' Las Vegas sign has been a beacon of city growth ever since it was erected in 1959 on the old highway to Los Angeles. The sign was always pretty far away from the heart of town, but Las Vegas always strived to reach it. Despite the presence of the Hacienda and Tropicana resorts, the city never reached the milestone until the Mandalay Bay and Bali Hai Golf Course were built in the late 1990s. Sure, the Hacienda was out there and so was the Glass Pool Inn, neé the Mirage. Steve Wynn bought the original name from the sleepy motor inn with its aboveground, windowed swimming pool for his Mirage in the '80s.
In the '70s, the fabulous sign fell into disarray, along with the city that had earned the reputation as a place for has-been performers like Charo, Cher and Eddie Rabbit, and for buffets. There was talk of tearing it down to beautify the largely forgotten south end of the Strip. The ensuing hoopla sparked more interest in the sign than ever.
By the late '80s, the sign, like Vegas, was back on its feet and beginning its current run at popularity.
Last year, the Welcome to Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas sign, a petite version of the original, was installed at Las Vegas Boulevard South at the Fourth Street turnoff and look what is (finally) happening there.
Let's not forget that everything centennial is using a play on the sign's design, as well.
Bogar Enterprises, which manufactures the miniature, has sold more than 35,000 and counting, with a portion of sales going to the Nevada Cancer Institute. Target just became a buyer. You can, too, at www.thewelcometolvsign.com.
Anne Kellogg is a native Las Vegan with a thing for purchasing stuff. E-mail her at
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