Jumping right into the heart of Vegas history, we find ourselves face to face with the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign. It’s more than just a photo op. It is a symbol recognized around the globe.
This sign wasn’t erected by the city itself. It was the brainchild of a local salesman named Ted Rogich. He felt Vegas needed a flashy sign to represent the city amidst all the casinos.
Rogich approached Betty Willis. She was one of the first female commercial artists to work on neon signs. Willis designed this landmark in 1959. That was a time when Paul Anka topped the music charts.
Betty Willis sold the design to Clark County for just $4,000. She didn’t copyright it. Willis considered it a gift to her hometown. That’s why you see it on every kind of souvenir.
Standing 25 feet tall, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign has become a must-see. Both sides greet visitors. Now, you can park your car and admire the sign safely.
Look closely at the top. The silver circles spelling “Welcome” represent silver dollars. This is a salute to Nevada, the Silver State.
In 2014, Clark County installed solar panels. They power the sign all day long. This allows this iconic landmark to be green.
Taking photos here used to be risky. Tourists had to cross lanes of traffic. In 2008, a parking lot was added. This made visiting the sign safer.
The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign is on the National Register of Historic Places. It earned this honor in 2009.
Betty Willis passed away in 2015. Clark County declared May 5th “Betty Willis Day” to honor her.
The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign has even gone red. This was in support of National Wear Red Day. It raised awareness for women’s heart health.
The city even put a cover on the sign once. It read “Welcome to Fabulous Camp Vegas.” This was part of a marketing campaign.
So, as you stand here, remember Betty Willis. Remember her gift to Las Vegas. Capture your selfie. Take in the fabulous-ness. The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign will continue to shine for years to come.