The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign has stood in its original location since 1959, despite popular belief that it was moved southward over the years.

Installed by Western Electric Displays (Western Neon), the iconic sign was conceived by salesman Ted Rogich and designed by commercial artist Betty Willis. The design drew inspiration from the Riviera casino's welcome sign, featuring letters shaped like silver dollars, while incorporating a hotel key fob shape as its main element.

The sign was strategically placed near McCarran Field (now Harry Reid International Airport), marking the southernmost boundary of casino development at that time. While Las Vegas has expanded significantly southward since then, photographic evidence confirms the sign's location has remained unchanged.

A key piece of evidence is the spatial relationship between the sign and the former Hacienda casino hotel (now Mandalay Bay). Historical photos from 1959 show the same 0.4-mile distance between these landmarks as exists today, though the perspective appears different due to building height differences.

Interestingly, the sign's installation wasn't considered newsworthy at the time. Following its approval by the Clark County Commission on May 5, 1959, no ceremonies marked its completion, and no construction photos are known to exist. The sign has since become a global icon, second only to the Hollywood sign in worldwide recognition.

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