The landmark was created in 1959 by Betty Willis for Clark County, Nevada. She and her family were one of the early arrivals in Las Vegas valley coming by horse-drawn wagon in 1905... She left town only to complete her education at an art school in LA.
What's your sign?
She spent seven years on the design. The seven silver dollars that spell “Welcome” were chosen because they wanted the sign to look “lucky” and also a refers to Nevada's nickname as “the Silver State” . The back of the sign reads "Drive Carefully - Come Back SOON - Willis received $4,000 for her work.
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Willis has never trademarked the sign. “It’s my gift to the city,” she said.
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The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, which in 1959 has stood on the south end of the Strip just west of the old Klondike Inn, has been moved. The sign hasn’t always been in the same spot - as the Strip has grown the sign has been moved further and further south. |
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Few evenings ago at a Friends of Classic Las Vegas panel discussion at Springs Preserve. Betty Willis (85 years old) answered few questions about what was behind her work and what motivated her to create the sign. At the question why the word “fabulous” was used to describe Las Vegas on her iconic Welcome sign, she said: "There was not other word to use,”.... “Las Vegas was fabulous, and we wanted to advertise that.”
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Photo: John Katsilometes |
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read more >>> Famed designer Willis never tires of, “What’s your sign?” |
Some fellow designer tried to challenge her by asking if the back of the sign should write, "Keep Nevada Green,” (not only as a reminder of an environmental issues but more to be read by the tourists, as they leave town, many of whom lost money at the casinos). Willis argued for a more friendly send-off. “I didn’t think (Keep Nevada Green) was very nice,” she said. “Repeat business is always better.”
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