Some interesting facts about the "Las Vegas sign"

The sign was originally designed by Betty Willis in 1959, largely at the behest of Ted Rogich, a local salesman.
Without getting into the mechanics of the actual sign design itself, it is interesting to note that the sign is not copyrighted,
which is why you can get smaller versions of it at virtually any tourist shop, in a wide variety of styles and sizes.

One item of interest about the sign itself is worth mentioning however.
The word WELCOME is actually imbedded in seven silver dollars, a nod not only to the gambling industry,
but also to Nevada being "The Silver State".

The sign is actually owned by Young Electric Sign Company, who leases it to Clark County, which is where Las Vegas is located.

Traditionally, the Las Vegas sign has meant you are now entering "America's Playground", but it, as well as a good portion of the "Vegas Strip" are actually in the city of Paradise. Over the years, as Vegas expanded, the sign got moved further and further south down the Strip. It currently resides at roughly 5100 S. Las Vegas Boulevard. Recently, to prevent possible pedestrian accidents and reduce traffic congestion from people taking pictures of the sign, a parking lot was designed directly south of the sign itself, to allow cars and such to pull in safely out of the way of traffic. Once in this little oasis of safety, tourists can pose and take pictures to their hearts content. When it was originally created, the green carpet in front of the sign had pictures of the four different card suits, but it was later taken out.