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Remember the Long Gone Neon

Where: 821 Las Vegas Boulevard [map], 89101
April 29, 2009 at 3:02 PM | by | Comments (0)

When the Hacienda Hotel was imploded in 1996 to make way for Mandalay Bay, an important piece of its history was salvaged. Today you can head down to the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and the Fremont Street Experience and where the iconic Hacienda Horse and Rider neon sign still holds court.

This piece of old neon glory was the first of many to be prettied up and relocated by the Neon Museum. The non-for-profit company has swooped in to take 150 such symbolic representations of Vegas glitz and restore them to their former grandeur. Previously, the city's old neon signs were put out to pasture on the production lot of YESCO sign manufacturer. But about a decade ago, the remnants of old Vegas were put on display to accommodate the droves of tourists and locals interested in checking out the relics.

The Neon Museum now conducts tours at $15 a pop and divides the neon relics into two categories: The Fremont Street Gallery (that's where Hacienda Horse and Rider can be found as well as the Aladdin's Lamp) and the Boneyard, which is the final resting place for some of the most famous old signs from Caesars Palace, Binions Horsehoe, Golden Nugget, Silver Slipper, and the Stardust.

Currently, the Museum is in the process of restoring the lobby of the historic La Concha Motel. This motel was saved from demolition and moved to the Boneyard site in 2006, then reassembled on site in 2007. Seriously! The lobby is expected to be used as a visitor’s center. Until then, tours are by appointment only.

Or you can take the self-guided walking tour of the 10 already-restored signs 24/7/365. The tour begins in front of the Neonopolis at Las Vegas Boulevard near the Hacienda Horse and Rider, extending to the 3rd Street cul-de-sac adjacent to The Fremont Street Experience canopy.

To make an appointment, call 702-387-NEON or visit their website. Tours are Tuesday through Saturday at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

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