Unveiling the Oldest Relic: Neon Museum Restores Flamingo Signs from 1976
Neon Museum in Las Vegas Unveils Restored Signs from Historic Flamingo Resort
The Neon Museum in Las Vegas made a historic unveiling on Tuesday, showcasing its first signage from the iconic Flamingo, the oldest resort on the Strip. The newly restored signs, standing at an impressive 20 feet tall, blend the cropped top of a Flamingo Road roadside pylon sign with two neon feather plumes created by parade float designer Paul Rodriguez.
Aaron Berger, the Neon Museum’s executive director, expressed excitement about the new addition, stating, “This gives us a chance to really talk about everything from the mob to the influence of entertainment. Entertainment really gets its hooks into the Flamingo.”
However, these signs are not from the casino resort’s classic period, dating back only to 1976, five years after the hotel had already become the Flamingo Hilton. Despite not being original, these newly restored signs hold significant historical value as the Flamingo’s oldest surviving architectural relic.
The restoration of these signs, believed to cost in the six figures, was made possible by three main donors: Andrew Pascal, CEO of Play Studios; Felicia French, CEO of Opuzen; and Emily Conner Cooper, widow of comedian Pat Cooper.
Interestingly, the Neon Museum had secretly displayed the signs in its “neon boneyard” since they were donated in 2003, but this is the first time they have been publicly identified and restored. The pylon sign had been hiding in plain sight, behind a “Wedding Information” sign used in the 1940s at the Ali Baba Wedding Center.
The unveiling of these historic signs sheds light on the rich history of the Flamingo, the oldest surviving resort name on the Strip. Despite its ties to Hollywood and the mob, the original concept and name of the Flamingo came from Billy Wilkerson, publisher of the Hollywood Reporter.
The Flamingo’s legacy lives on through these restored signs, offering a glimpse into the past of one of Las Vegas’ most iconic landmarks.