FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 29, 2025
LAST REMAINING DUNES HOTEL AND CASINO SIGN NOW SHINES BRIGHT AT THE NEON MUSEUM IN LAS VEGAS
70 Years After Its Debut, Las Vegas Museum Relights Sign Honoring Iconic Property and the Visionaries Who Shaped Its Legacy
LAS VEGAS – The Neon Museum has officially reilluminated the only remaining publicly displayed sign from the legendary Dunes Hotel and Casino. Opened in Las Vegas 70 years ago, Dunes made history in Las Vegas as one of the original glamour resorts that helped make the city a global capital of entertainment.
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For archival photos from the LVCVA Archives, click here.
For video of the implosion from theimplosionguy.com, click here.
Purchased by The Neon Museum in 2002, the restored Dunes entrance sign is the sole surviving public artifact of its famed signage. The hotel opened in Las Vegas in 1955 and was hailed as the “Miracle in the Desert.” As Las Vegas entered its Golden Age, The Dunes helped define the city’s transformation into an international entertainment destination with extravagant shows, luxurious dining and over-the-top amenities.
“Having previously served on the board of trustees at The Neon Museum for many years, including a period as chair of the Collections Committee, it was a true privilege to play a role in bringing this iconic sign back to life,” said Roger Thomas. “The Dunes was a legendary resort that is deeply tied to my family and the shaping of Las Vegas history, so I am honored to have helped restore a piece of its history for future generations to experience and be inspired by.”
Originally constructed of sheet metal, acrylic, candelabra bulbs and a six-point flasher, the sign was moved offsite in April 2025 for a full restoration. Now weighing 1,200 pounds and standing 10 feet tall on a raised frame, the sign features LED tubes designed to mimic its original fluorescent glow, and nearly 100 incandescent bulbs that scintillate through its mechanical flasher. Remarkably, 95 percent of its original sockets and wiring were still functional, and even original Ad Art stickers were preserved under protective tape during painting. Adding to its rich story, one of the electricians, Warren Donlon, had worked on the Dunes’ towering 180-foot pylon in the 1980s and 1990s, reconnecting past craftsmanship with today’s restoration.
A special relighting ceremony for the sign honored the visionary leaders who helped shape its legacy. The restoration was made possible by Thomas – a renowned interior designer – in honor of Joyce and Jerry Mack and Peggy and Parry Thomas. They were known for their finance and legal reforms that ushered in Las Vegas’ era of corporate gaming.
The five-month restoration, led by local artisans at Hartlauer Signs, included:
- Craned extraction from the Neon Boneyard and careful reshaping of its onion dome silhouette
- Recreation of its original animation pattern using historically accurate bulbs
- Repair of a large crack in the sign’s face using acrylic backer sheeting, left visible to preserve its story
- Faithful reproduction of the sign’s distinctive orange façade using custom-poured, textured resin
Aaron Berger, Executive Director of The Neon Museum, said, ““This restoration will allow visitors to connect with an iconic Las Vegas property, but the sign also plays an important role in our K-12 field trip program; teaching color theory to our younger grades, and architectural influences to the older grades that visit. This is the ripple effect of historic preservation and restoration.”
As a defining symbol of mid-century Las Vegas, The Dunes was conceived as a modern reimagining of Arabian Nights Baghdad. Guests were welcomed with costumed greeters, opulent décor and themed architecture. Designed by Bob Dorr and built by McNeil Construction, the property was financed by a group of entrepreneurs that included a theater owner, restaurateur and costume jewelry maker. Among its many innovations were the Sultan’s Table fine-dining experience and risqué productions like Minsky’s Follies, the city’s first topless revue.
The resort evolved over the years, opening the longest 18-hole golf course in Nevada in 1964 and merged with Continental Connector Corp. in 1968 under the leadership of E. Parry Thomas and Jerry Mack. In 1993, Dunes became the first Las Vegas Strip resort imploded by explosives, drawing more than 200,000 spectators. Its former site became Bellagio Resort & Casino in 1998 – then the most expensive hotel ever built.
The Neon Museum is open daily and includes an outdoor exhibition space known as the Neon Boneyard, filled with some of Las Vegas’ most iconic neon signs; the North Gallery, home to the immersive audiovisual experience “Brilliant! Jackpot” which uses technology to re-illuminate more than 40 non- operational signs; the Boulevard Gallery outdoor exhibit and event space; and its visitors’ center inside the former La Concha Motel lobby.
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About The Neon Museum
The Neon Museum illuminates the cultural essence of Las Vegas by sharing iconic signage, diverse collections and stories that define its vibrant past, present and future. Its core values seek to create a sense of belonging for everyone; promote scholarship through its work and collaborations; offer fun engagement that reflects the spirit of Las Vegas; and demonstrate overall excellence.
Founded in 1996, The Neon Museum achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) in 2021, the highest national honor for museums in the United States. Situated on a 2.27-acre campus, the Museum features:
- The Neon Boneyard: An outdoor exhibition space displaying historic signs no longer in use.
- The North Gallery: Home to Brilliant! Jackpot, an immersive audiovisual experience that re-illuminates over 40 non-operational signs using advanced technology.
- The Boulevard Gallery: A transitional space showcasing collection pieces.
- The Visitors’ Center: Located in the iconic former La Concha Motel lobby designed by famed architect Paul Revere Williams.
- The Neon Boneyard Park: A green space where visitors can learn more of Las Vegas’ rich history.
The museum’s collection also includes 15 restored signs displayed as public art in downtown Las Vegas collectively known as The Las Vegas Boulevard Scenic Byway Project and additional pieces on loan to non-profits and government entities. Its ongoing initiatives encompass public education, outreach, research, and arts preservation. For more information, including tour schedules and tickets, visit www.neonmuseum.org. Also follow @NeonMuseum on Facebook and @theneonmuseumlasvegas on Instagram.
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Mike Dini
The Neon Museum
Kirvin Doak Communications
