Holiday Inn Great Sign

Holiday Inn “Great Sign”

Object Number : 2002.0079.0001

Type : signs/displays

Sub Types : Array

Decade : 1950 - 1959

Object Height : 13 ft. 7-1/2 in. (total)

Object Width : 13 ft. 2 in.

Object Depth : 19 in.

Object Weight : unknown

Object History :

Sign came from the famous boneyard of YESCO’s Las Vegas plant.

“The 50’ tall green and yellow sign featured a yellow arrow with orange bulbs to draw drivers to the hotel office. The marquee had interchangeable letters so that the manager could welcome individuals and groups to the hotel. The sign was designed by the Cummings Company of Nashville Tennesse. In 1982, the Great Sign was replaced with a smaller, plain green sign. The company felt that it was an icon of the 1950s that no longer suited their needs. Kemmons Wilson called the decision “a hell of a mistake.” Content from https://www.memphistypehistory.com/the-holiday-inn-great-sign/.

City of Origin : Las Vegas

State of Origin : Nevada

Status : Exhibit

Location : Exterior of Building

Status Location : loading dock

Donor Name : Thomas Young, Jr.

Contact Donor : 1

Company : Young Electric Sign Company

Date of Execution : 1950s

Signature : Inherent in porcelain in lower right corner of main panel

Signature Location : inherent in porcelain in lower right corner of main panel

Condition :

Good: Majority of the neon was broken or missing. Wires were cut. Porcelain was in surprisingly good condition, however. Third “star” section is missing.

Restoration Cost : $3,618.00

Restoration Date : 8-15-2004 (first side); 6-16-2012 (second side)

Restoration Description :

Only one side of each side was repaired. All of the neon was repaired. New flashers installed as well as majority of light bulbs. Major re-wiring since only one side was restored and the two sections of sign were mounted in different locations within the museum. The majority of the side panels were missing. Second side restored in similar manner with all neon repaired, new transformers installed together with new wiring. Sign was then installed on loading dock of museum.

Maintenance History :

8-19-2016: Border tube broken during reception replaced at a cost of $50.00

10-26-2016: Troubleshooting neon at a cost of $22.00

6-17-2017: Troubleshooting neon at a cost of $22.00

3-14-2023: Transformer replaced at a cost of $172.52

7-9-2017: Troubleshooting neon tube at a cost of $22.00

4-13-2018: Border tube was replaced at a cost of $65.00

4-13-2019: Diagnose and fix short at a cost of $120.00

4-16-2021: Replaced a transformer at a cost of $84.00

11-8-2021: Move arrow bulbs to a 4th unused circuit already designated for this sign at a cost of $112.00

May 2023: complete recreation of missing star topper, recreation of neon for star topper, metal face work

First Contact Date : 2/10/2002