Nevada
Las Vegas is known for its neon. When did the first signs arrive?
In Las Vegas, giant, elaborate signs flash and blink at casinos. Las Vegas Boulevard is lined with vintage signs that remind drivers and pedestrians of bygone businesses. The city is home to The Neon Museum.
But it wasn’t always this way. For roughly the first 20 years of the city’s existence, there was no neon.
Neon signs came to Las Vegas in the late 1920s, according to Emily Fellmer, senior collections manager at The Neon Museum.
The Overland Hotel at the present site of Circa likely put up the first neon sign, Fellmer said.
“Las Vegas business houses are taking the initiative in installing ornamental electric signs,” a 1928 Las Vegas Age editorial said. “El Portal has a handsome one with moving lights and now the Overland Hotel has installed one of the attractive Neon signs in red and blue. They help to make the town attractive.”
Neon signs were enough of a novelty that when the Las Vegas Club on Fremont Street erected one in 1930 it made the Review-Journal’s front page.
UNLV history professor Michael Green said early neon signs in Las Vegas weren’t elaborate, but eventually, neon became central to the city’s identity and a tool hotels and casinos used to attract customers.
Fellmer said the element neon was discovered in the late 19th century and not used with glass tubes until the early 20th century. Neon light debuted in Paris in 1910, and the first neon sign was installed in Paris in 1912, she said.
Neon signs came to the United States in early 1920s, she said, and the first one was in San Francisco.
According to Fellmer, the oldest signs in the museum’s collection are a late 1930s Green Shack restaurant sign and a motel sign from 1940.
Once the Hoover Dam was completed, Las Vegas was able to expand its electrical grid, she said, and that probably helped drive an expansion of neon signs.
It was in the late 1940s and early 50s that neon became central to the city’s identity, she said. As neon signs disappeared around the country and some environmental groups opposed them, Las Vegas doubled down and built taller, more elaborate signs.
“Neon stood out and stands out,” Green said. “Las Vegas stood out and stands out.”
Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BrighamNoble on X.
RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – The Wolf Pack are headed on a road trip! A whole group of Nevada coaches, student athletes and staff are hitting the road across Northern Nevada to spread the brand of Wolf Pack athletics.
The trip will span over three days and over a thousand miles across the region, giving them the chance to connect with fans, alumni, and all the communities across Northern Nevada.
“It’s a really fun opportunity to get out in a lot of communities in Northern Nevada that often times come to Reno to support the Wolf Pack,” said head football coach Jeff Choate. “It’s an opportunity for us to get our brand out locally and just interact with some great people.”
The Coaches Caravan kicked off their journey Monday morning in Carson City, gathering at the Nevada State Capitol, greeted by a group of Wolf Pack faithful who were beyond excited to have the opportunity for interaction.
“So much about what college athletics is are bringing communities together. There’s nothing that brings a community together like sports,” said athletic director Stephanie Rempe. “It lets them get to know our coaches and athletes and the things that they’re trying to do to represent the university and the state of Nevada. Getting to know them and meet them makes you care that much more and makes them want to come support and cheer on the Pack!”
The Coaches Caravan continues through Northern Nevada until their final stop on Wednesday afternoon, meeting with thirteen communities around the region in total.
Copyright 2026 KOLO. All rights reserved.
The Las Vegas Raiders have orchestrated many groundbreaking moves this offseason, but none as important as the impact they made at a fundraising event.
Over the weekend, the Raiders hosted the Silver & Black Gala, raising $2.5 million for mental health in Nevada. Sunday marked the third time the organization had hosted the event, which has produced a tremendous turnout.
Several individuals spoke during the event, including Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis and president Sandra Douglass Morgan, who each highlighted the importance of acknowledging mental health.
Davis’ Thoughts
- “We’re here to raise money for mental health, which is one of the most important things we can all deal with,” Davis said. “Every one of us is impacted by mental health and our families, friends, or anywhere else, we are all directly affected. That’s why it’s so critical to raise money for our community. We’re grateful for you all, and appreciate you being here.”
Morgan’s Thoughts
“Mental health remains one of the most urgent issues across Nevada,” Morgan said. “Through the Silver & Black Gala, the Raiders Foundation is helping expand access to trusted, community-based resources that meet people where they are. This year’s recipients reflect the depth and complexity of that work, supporting our community in schools, clubhouses, homes, shelters, and family systems statewide.”
The Raiders also honored former player Carl Nassib and NFL broadcaster Jay Glazer on Sunday night as the winners of the Commitment to Excellence award. Here is what each of them had to say.
Glazer’s Thoughts
- “First, this is incredible what the Raiders are doing,” Glazer said. “God blessed me with the ability to communicate, so I’m going to use that to try and help other people. When we’re willing to share our scars, we turn them into strength—into something that connects us as teammates with nothing to hide. That’s what builds a true team, a championship team. I’m proud to stand with you and be part of this team tonight.”
Nassib’s Thoughts
- “It is truly a privilege to be up here,” Nassib said. “We’re creating space for people to be vulnerable—and that work is truly lifesaving. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about showing up and reminding people they’re not alone.”
Overall Thoughts
This has been a tremendous event over the last few years, and the Raiders’ organization has done a great job of raising awareness for mental health. This will be an event that the team will continue to host in the future.
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Nevada
Nevada workers fear homelessness as housing, jobs vanish before July deadline | Fox News Video
The final casino resort in Primm, Nevada, will close this summer after years of declining tourism, ending gaming operations in the once-busy border town and putting hundreds of employees out of work.
Primm Valley Casino Resorts is shutting down its remaining hotel and casino operations in July as experts point to increased competition, changing travel habits and post-pandemic losses behind the decline.
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