Black Jack Motel
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Las Vegas is more than just lights, it’s a legacy written in neon!
Thanks to people like you, Las Vegas’ neon legacy can endure.
These iconic signs, which once lit up our streets and hearts, are more than just lights, they’re part of our shared story. You have the power to keep their glow alive.
With your support, we can restore these beloved pieces of history, so they continue to inspire and captivate future generations
Every donation helps protect these neon beacons, ensuring the vibrant stories of Las Vegas are never lost.
Join us in preserving this incredible heritage. Together, we can keep the lights shining.
CONTRIBUTE TO THIS SIGN’S RESTORATION
Photo by Fred Sigman from his book: “Motel Vegas,” 2006
Designed by unknown, Fabricated by unknown c. 1955
Material(s): Metal, paint, neon
Donated by the Ida Black family trust, Object ID: 0020.001
The Black Jack Motel was located at 2909 Fremont Street, across from where the Showboat Hotel & Casino once stood. The property was a budget-oriented motel featuring amenities like a swimming pool and in-room coffee facilities. It was part of a crop of motels located in the east Fremont Street area, many of which featured signage embodying many of the aesthetics popularly associated with Las Vegas. After the property closed in 2006, the Ida Black family trust generously donated this sign to The Neon Museum; the property was demolished later that year.
This signage, measuring more than 22-feet tall and 9-feet wide, is composed of a metal cabinet painted red accompanied by white letters reading, “Black Jack Motel.” The design starts narrow at the base and widens at the top to form a curved triangle shape. It features two playing cards at the top of the sign and has a blue oval base with “No Vacancy” outlined in skeletal neon.
This sign is part of the legacy of the properties that, in their heyday, provided convenient roadside accommodation to visitors traveling by car. These lodgings helped create the legend of the American “open road” and greatly contributed to Las Vegas’ architectural landscape.
Restoring this sign would allow The Neon Museum to expand the information we offer regarding the history and design of motels from the 1950s and 1960s, while also broadening our focus to an area of the city that is not widely represented in the Neon Boneyard.
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We are grateful for every donation that helps bring these iconic signs back to life. Contributions of $15,000 or more will be honored with a personalized donor recognition package. All donations will be recorded in our documented archives. Once this sign is restored, it will be proudly returned to the Neon Boneyard, where we will host a re-lighting event to celebrate its restoration. We truly appreciate your support and thank you for helping us preserve the stories of Las Vegas.