Google maps gets you to quirky places. Just search for things to do in an area and you will end up seeing Wendover Will among other things.
- As we crossed from Utah to Nevada we saw the following three things in order
- Casino
- Strip Club
- Wendover Will
Wendover Will is a 63-foot-tall neon cowboy sign and a landmark in West Wendover, Nevada. Originally built in 1952 for the Stateline Casino, it was named after the town and its founder, William “Bill” Smith. The sign is famous for being called the “World’s Largest Mechanical Cowboy” and is a significant part of the community’s identity.
Original purpose: To lure travelers from US Highways 40 and 50 (now Interstate 80) to the casino.
Design: It was created by Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) and was designed by Pat Denner, who also designed Vegas Vic.
The sign is made with 1,184 feet of neon tubing and features a cowboy hat, a gun, a cigarette, and has one hand pointing to the town while the other beckons to passersby.
Recent history: The city of West Wendover acquired the sign in 2004 and moved it to a new location in 2005. In recent years, it has undergone restoration, including replacing the neon with more energy-efficient LED lighting that mimics the look of neon.
HAPPY TRAILS, STEVE