Are There 2 Welcome to Las Vegas Signs?

If you've ever visited the dazzling city of Las Vegas, chances are you've come across the iconic "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign. This iconic landmark is one of the top must-see attractions in Las Vegas and is a symbol of the city's vibrant energy and endless possibilities.

Sometimes visitors and would-be visitors get confused about the sign (or signs). Are there 2 Welcome to Las Vegas signs? Yes, there are indeed 2 signs. In fact, there used to be 3! Let's take a closer look at these famous landmarks and their unique histories.

The Original Welcome to Las Vegas Sign

The original sign — the one that's most well-known — can be found at 5100 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119. It stands 25 feet tall.

There are several tours that include a stop to take photos at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, including our Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas. Seeing visitors' faces light up at the sight of the sign never gets old!

The History of the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign

The Welcome to Las Vegas sign is a true piece of history and has witnessed the city's evolution into the entertainment capital of the world. 

The sign has stood proudly since 1959, greeting visitors from all over the world with its bold and bright design. It was designed by an employee of Western Neon, a graphic designer named Betty Willis. She was one of the first women to work on neon signs.

Willis never copyrighted the design, which is why you can find countless souvenirs of it all throughout Vegas. The sign itself, however, is owned by YESCO, a neon sign company that bought out Western Neon in the 1960s.

It's not wrong to say that Las Vegas was built up around the sign. The bustling, traffic-heavy streets and extravagant mega-resorts weren't there when the sign was built. In fact, in 1959, the city was just getting its start as a major tourist destination. 

Related Reading: The Best Hotels in Las Vegas 

The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign wasn't instantly iconic. There was even some worry about the design, with Betty Willis herself saying in a 1998 interview that she worried that the sign looked outdated now. 

However, its popularity flourished as Las Vegas' did, and it made for the perfect symbol of a growing, "fabulous" city. The sign now has its own parking lot and crosswalk to facilitate the huge amount of people who want to take photos in front of it.

Replicas of the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign

The history of the Welcome to Las Vegas sign is intriguing, but the story doesn't end there. There are also two replicas of the famous sign, each with its own distinct location and tale to tell. 

The First Replica

The first replica was built in 2002 for the city proper. It was located at Las Vegas Boulevard and 4th Street. Unfortunately, this replica sign was destroyed and is no longer there. A vehicle crashed into it in 2016, and the city opted not to rebuild it. 

Later, in 2020, a gateway arch was built near The Strat. It features a sign with a similar diamond shape and says "City of Las Vegas."

The Second Replica

The second replica, built in 2007, is still standing. It's on Boulder Highway, just north of Tropicana Avenue. It was a joint effort by casinos on the "Boulder Strip" wanting to have their own sign. 

This newest addition to the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign family continues to captivate tourists and locals alike. It offers an opportunity for visitors to experience the thrill and magic of Las Vegas without having to venture too far from the Strip.

Fun Facts About the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign

It's fascinating how a sign could be so interesting, but there really are so many interesting facts about the Welcome to Las Vegas sign! How many of these fun facts did you already know?

• The silver circles on the Welcome to Las Vegas sign are supposed to resemble silver dollars from casino slot machines. They're also a tribute to Nevada's moniker of the "Silver State."
• The sign has been powered by solar panels since 2014.
• Before the "original" sign that is standing today, there was another welcome sign on an arch on Freemont & Main. It was built in the 1920s and said "Welcome to Las Vegas, the Gateway to Boulder Dam."
• The diamond shape of the sign was inspired by the Goodyear logo at the time.
• The county considered tearing down the sign in the 1970s. Locals were outraged at the idea, and the sign survived.
• For Las Vegas' centennial celebrations in 2005, there were special commemorative Nevada license plates with the sign on them.
• The back of the sign, which you see on your way out of Las Vegas, says "Drive Carefully, Come Back Soon."
• The Welcome to Las Vegas sign has been added to both the National and State Registers of Historic Places, in 2009 and 2013, respectively.

Conclusion

Each of the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" signs carries its own unique charm and serves as a testament to the city's enduring legacy.

The original sign, in particular, is a tourist attraction in its own right! This over 60-year-old piece of living history has welcomed generations of visitors. As you stand in front of it, you can almost feel the excitement and anticipation that has filled the air for decades.

Although the first replica is no longer standing, its memory lives on as a symbol of Las Vegas acknowledging its immense growth. The newest addition to the family, located on Boulder Highway, further represents the ever-evolving nature of Las Vegas. 

As the city continues to grow and change, so too does its iconic signage. This sign embodies the spirit of progress and innovation that is synonymous with Las Vegas.When you visit Las Vegas, keep an eye out for one of these iconic signs. It's truly a must-visit. Be sure to bring home a souvenir of it, too!