Las Vegas is the signage capital of the world. Once towering above the buildings they advertised, these signs have used millions of light bulbs and 15,000 miles of neon tubing and is bright enough to be seen from space.
Fickle Tastes and Short-Lived Signs
Signs in Las Vegas often have a brief lifespan. As trends and tastes shift, older signs are frequently replaced with newer, flashier designs. Some of these iconic signs end up in the sign muesum opened in 1996.
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas
The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign stands out as an iconic symbol of the city. This sign has graced the Strip since 1959, designed by Betty Willis, a trailblazing commercial artist in Las Vegas.
Early Years
Born in 1924, Betty Willis was the youngest of eight children. Her family arrived in Las Vegas via horse-drawn wagon in 1905, just after the town was founded through William Clark’s land auctions. Her father, Stephen Whitehead, was Clark County's first assessor.
With a passion for design, Willis attended art school in Los Angeles before returning to Las Vegas to pursue a career as a commercial artist. She began by drawing showgirls for newspaper ads and later transitioned into neon sign design.
Woman in a Man's World
In an era when female commercial artists were rare, Willis stood out. As she recounted to the Chicago Sun-Times, "Most people are surprised when they find out a woman designed the sign. It was a man’s business back then. Working with neon signs involves understanding the technical aspects—neon, light, and electricity—along with design. Most women weren't interested in such technical fields." Her portfolio also included the sign for the Moulin Rouge.
Her Signature Piece
In 1952, local salesman Ted Rogich approached Willis with the idea of designing a sign to welcome visitors to Las Vegas. At the time, the city had signs for everything but itself. The new sign had to embody the vibrant neon era and serve as a grand gateway to the town.
Willis agreed, and she created a design that was both unique and memorable. Although it stands 25 feet tall—modest compared to other Strip signs—the diamond shape and silver dollars backing the word "Welcome" made it stand out. Reflecting Nevada’s nickname as "The Silver State," the sign’s design was sold to Clark County for $4,000 in 1959 and was placed on an island at the southern end of the Strip, where it remains today.
An Icon
In the spirit of sharing her work, Willis chose not to copyright the design. Today, her creation adorns countless items from clothing to souvenirs, becoming a quintessential symbol of Las Vegas. The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign was even chosen as the official logo for the city's centennial celebration.
Willis continued designing signs until her retirement at 77, but her most famous work endures as a beloved landmark. The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign has become a destination in its own right, cherished by both tourists and locals alike.
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