Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas

In 1959, Betty Willis created the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign for Clark County, receiving $4,000 for her work. The sign was built by Western Neon. The sign has been moved south on Las Vegas Boulevard several times over the years as growth has continued. Currently it is located just south of Russell Road across from the Klondike Casino just west of McCarran Airport.

Some consider the sign to be the "official" southern end of the Las Vegas Strip. The irony is that the sign sits at the entrance of the town of Paradise, Nevada and is located roughly four miles south of the actual city limits of Las Vegas. With the sign so far away from the city itself, the City Council erected a "Welcome to Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas" sign shortly after you enter the City of Las Vegas on Las Vegas Boulevard. The image of the sign is featured on the Nevada License Plate that was issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the City of Las Vegas in 2005.

All over the city, smaller souvenir signs, roughly 10 inches in height, in the same style that light up the same way are available buy to and are fairly popular with tourists.

The Sign is currently owned by Young Electric Sign Company which still leases it to Clark County.

History

On October 4, 1999 the sign went dark for about a month when the company that had been paying the power bill was bought by another company who decided to not pay the power bill. When the problem was discovered payment of the past due amount, under $60, was made and power was turned back on.