Downtown Las Vegas in Clark County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Nevada Motel

Circa 1950

— Neon Museum —

Nevada Motel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, March 8, 2013

1. Nevada Motel Marker

Inscription. Opened in 1937 at 5th Street (Las Vegas Boulevard) and Garces, the Nevada Motel was the first auto court in Las Vegas to identify itself as a "motel". In its last years in business it operated in conjunction with the Sweetheart Wedding Chapel next door. This sign, dating from around the 1950, was one of several neon signs downtown that immortalized the image of cowboy "Vegas Vic," a character created for the Chamber of Commerce publicity campaign in the late 1940s and 1950s.

Erected 2000 by Neon Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1854.

Location. 36° 10.274′ N, 115° 8.537′ W. Marker is in Las Vegas, Nevada, in Clark County. It is in Downtown Las Vegas. It is at the intersection of East Ogden Avenue and North Casino Center Boulevard (Nevada Route 602), on the right when traveling north on East Ogden Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 295 East Ogden Avenue, Las Vegas NV 89101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Nevada’s Mojave Desert.

It is also in the American Southwest

and in the Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Flame Restaurant (within shouting distance of this marker); Neon / Atomic Testing (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); El Portal Theatre

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(about 500 feet away); United States Post Office and Courthouse (about 600 feet away); Fremont Street (about 600 feet away); Chief Hotel Court (about 600 feet away); Block 16 (about 700 feet away); Aladdin's Lamp (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Las Vegas.

Photographed by Denise Boose, March 8, 2013

2. Nevada Motel Marker

Nevada Motel Neon Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, March 8, 2013

3. Nevada Motel Neon Sign

The Neon Sign at Night image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 10, 2008

4. The Neon Sign at Night

Vegas Vic 1951 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, March 8, 2013

5. Vegas Vic 1951

Photographed by Denise Boose, March 8, 2013

6. Nevada Motel Neon Sign

Nevada Hotel 1906 image. Click for full size.

7. Nevada Hotel 1906

Opening to rave reviews, the hotel is described as "first class," with electrical lighting. Room and board cost just $1 per day. Whiskey and gambling are extra. Las Vegas first telephone was installed here. The phone number was "number 1." Founder J.F. Miller is seated in the carriage. The mystery woman in the 2nd-floor doorway is believed to be Rosa, who later would become his bride.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,504 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 31, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.