The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is a Las Vegas Strip landmark funded in May 1959 and erected soon after by YESCO (Western Neon). The Las Vegas sign was designed by Betty Willis, and was never copyrighted. It has become the most copied icon of Las Vegas, and likely the most photographed sign in the world.
The Las Vegas sign is still owned by YESCO and leased to the city of Las Vegas. Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) has played a pivitol role in the sign-making industry. They first sold neon signs in Ogden Utah in 1925, and began manufacturing their own neon tubing in 1927. During the Great Depression, YESCO sustain itself by manufacturing neon movie theater marquees as movies were in great demand. In 1932, YESCO expanded into Las Vegas and sold their first neon sign to the Oasis Café on Fremont Street. Las Vegas’ first spectacular neon sign, The Boulder Club sign was installed in 1945, starting what is now known as the “Golden Age of Neon.” In 1948, YESCO installed neon spectaculars for the Pioneer Club, Golden Nugget, Las Vegas Club, and the Eldorado Club, creating the famous “Glitter Gulch” of Las Vegas. The famous “Vegas Vic” a 75’ tall, 12,000 pound sign is still standing in Dowtown Las Vegas.
YESCO celebrated its 75th anniversary year in 1995 by completing Las Vegas’ most colossal light spectacular, the Fremont Street Experience, a 1,400 foot graphic display system. Other modern day YESCO creations in Las Vegas include the main marquee for New York - New York, Wynn Las Vegas, Bally’s, Caesars Palace, World of Coca-Cola, MGM Grand, plus many interior themed displays like those found in The Venetian, Paris Las Vegas, and Mandalay Bay.