Thankfully, although the modern 'strip' is a study in morphing evolution in order to attract the fickle tourist dollar, not all has been lost to the wrecking ball.  Especially in older downtown Las Vegas a little north of the modern hotspots, there exist many old gems that harken to an earlier era.  From my personal grab bag of photos, here are a few gems...most from the Fremont Avenue area of town...I hope you enjoy!

     Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas!  Once you saw this sign, you knew you had arrived!  A quick check-in, drop off the suitcase in the room and a trip to the gaming tables or the pool was only minutes away.  This sign still exists, though it has been relocated to S. Las Vegas Blvd. down by the airport.  It just can't compete with the giant, modern million-candlepower LCD screens that dominate the strip today.

     Once situated on the main drag (see the old postcard pic to the right), old stand-bys such as the Pioneer, Glitter Gulch, the Boulder and the Golden Nugget are now all part of the larger "Fremont Street Experience"-a pedestrian only area that surrounds you with wild, psychedelic overhead light shows and plenty of food and drink booths.  Though not as glitzy and glamorous as the newer 'strip' further south, I still highly recommend the Fremont Street Experience to see the wonderful neon signs of older days that lured wary travelers-like moths to the flame-into their midst.  The Pioneer's Cowboy still waves, and the sexy cowgirl at Glitter Gulch still stimulates a young man's thoughts to fancy...

     Just across he street from the 'Experience', is another truly unique Las Vegas phenomenon: Neonopolis.  A collection of shops, theatres and restaurants, the main attraction (at least to me) was the namesake-a priceless collection of vintage neon signs.  Many from the local area, these signs had me ooooohhhing and ahhhhiing until I was literally drug away by an irate fiance'!  Check out just one image-the center column of this great sign showplace.  There are dozens of more great signs to be enjoyed, each with their own little plaque detailing the signs history and last location.

    Closely related to Neonopolis and scattered around the sidewalks of the Fremont area are samples of another great Las Vegas institution: the Neon Museum.  The museum has saved and/or salvaged many of the great vintage signs from now history motels, cafes and various other enterprises.  Here are just two samples of some of the signs that are conveniently placed at sidewalk level so one can really admire the artistry and beauty of this wonderful advertising medium: the Chief Motel sign in front of Neonopolis, and the Nevada motel near Ogden Avenue.

     And of course, be sure to check out all of those quirky, kitschy, and sometimes seedy motels along Fremont  that sprang up to service those that did not want to stay at the more expensive places on the strip.  The area abounds with vintage signs and architecture, although many seemed destined to disappear soon.  Check out this absolutely fantastic sign from the Valley Motel, and here is just a quick glimpse of what awaited the earlier traveler: a row of motels, each competing to suck that elusive dollar from your pocketbook!

     I hope you've enjoyed these pics, and when in Vegas, don't just hang out on the southern strip, but check out a couple of these diamonds in the rough as well.

Cheers!