The Neon Boneyard

The Neon Boneyard originated from storage lots owned by major sign manufacturers like YESCO. These ‘boneyards’ would house discarded signage to be used for their source parts or “bones” in the creation of newer, updated signage. As projects grew in scale, the sign makers could no longer house the volume of leftover signs and they began shipping used marquees straight to the dump. An outraged public, the Nevada Arts Council and YESCO stepped in to preserve the neon markers of Vegas past.

The boneyard resides in a large industrial backlot that holds a meandering path through over 150 signs from the 1930s to present day.

This winding, dirt path reveals a visual history of Las Vegas and early America. What becomes evident on exploring these typographic sculptures is that they are so much more than just leftover facades. The boneyard is a tangible history of technology, industry, style, entertainment, pop culture, and most of all: design. See more here.

Sign Out by Josef Schulz

For these pictures artist Josef Schulz has photographed business signs throughout America. Then the signs have had their corporate identity removed leaving empty circles and squares with nothing to say. In some cases like the Waffle House and Denny's the sign is so recognizable that even without lettering the brand recognition remains.