Combing the Vegas Boneyard

This past week we paid a quick two-day visit to Sin City for some business and pleasure. Las Vegas never ceases to amaze with its rapid growth and sea of sprawling buildings and casinos along the desert floor. One morning before the heat index began to climb, we took it upon ourselves to visit the The Boneyard operated by the Neon Museum with select guided tours. This lesser known area north of the strip is the resting place of Vegas' numerous renowned and most important signs from Casinos from the past and present. Most of them have been rescued from demolition and remain displayed unrestored and faded on the dirt of the Boneyard.

Beginning in the fall of 2009, The Neon Museum will open the Boneyard for regular hours to the public at its new location with the restoration of the original La Concha Motel as its welcome center. Surely the up close and personal vibe of the guided tours will be lost. Have a look below at some of these giant artifacts that enticed and illuminated the streets of Vegas in years past.




The La Concha Motel's original neon sign sits and waits to be resurrected.


The tour of the Boneyard begins through these chained gates. Our small, yet large group moves on in.




The Ceasars casino of today has evolved well beyond this marquee.




Donna keeps up with the tour theme.


Liberace's signature marquee has surely seen better times.


Got any spare bulbs partner?


Binion's Horseshoe is one of the famous signs that will be restored.


Our guide Justin informs our group of the lore of the original letters of the Stardust casino.


Although it will cost close to a half million dollars, the signs of the Silver Slipper will be restored.


The Golden Nugget sign has seen better days.


Megawatts.


I stand beside the retired skull of Treasure Island pointing to Vegas' ongoing problem.


The oldest sign of the collection was built in the 20s. Donna and I clutch amongst the monoliths of metal and glass.


Inside of this fence sits a bunch of rusted signs and artifacts from Las Vegas' past and its rather short heritage.