The “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the United States. It was designed in 1959 by Betty Willis, a local graphic designer. Commissioned by Western Neon, it was installed at what was then the southern end of Las Vegas Boulevard—not actually within city limits, but in the unincorporated town of Paradise, Nevada.
Despite its location, the sign quickly came to symbolize Las Vegas itself. It represented the glamour and spectacle of a city on the rise in the mid-20th century, driven by casinos, neon, and nonstop entertainment. Clark County paid $54,000 for its installation. The sign echoed the era’s sense of space-age optimism with its Googie-style architecture, bright lights, and signature starburst crest. Its bold message—“Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada”—captured the promotional flair of a city that marketed itself as an oasis of indulgence.
The sign has remained a cultural touchstone. In 2009, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Then, in 2014, Clark County partnered with Green Chips, the Clean Energy Project, and the Consumer Electronics Association to install solar panels. These now generate enough electricity to fully offset the sign’s energy use—a small but symbolic nod to modern sustainability in a city built on excess.
