Vegas Collections: Bruce’s Epic Wall of Vegas
Update 3/27/16: We just received word that the author of this article, Bruce Lynn, passed away yesterday 3/26. He was really proud of this amazing collection, and was an absolute delight to work with when preparing his article. R.I.P Bruce, Vegas shines a little less tonight.
We have been going to Las Vegas since 1995, traveling from New Jersey. About 15 years ago, I decided to build a miniature casino, complete with lights and movements within the casino. At that time, my favorite casino was the Mirage, so that became the theme. Many of the decorations within this little casino came from the gift shop at the Mirage. It sat on a shelf on our wall till I got the idea of building an entire Vegas Wall surrounding it.
At a large gift shop near the MGM Grand, I purchased three fiber optic scenes depicting Las Vegas casinos. I built a wooden box, so I could display all three scenes as one and attached it to my wall near the casino.
Next, I went shopping on Ebay and purchased themed slot machine glasses and put them up in boxes lighted from behind and attached them to the wall.
I also bought the wheel from the “I Dream of Jeannie” slot machine and put backlights behind it. I purchased four neon clocks and took the clock hands out. I placed various Vegas scenes inside the clocks that are lighted by neon. I also enhanced the scenes by attaching small reflecting beads in appropriate places.
My largest purchase was the slot machine top for the Addams Family. It has moving lights surrounding it.
Over time, I have continuously improved the wall replacing older displays with newer ones. The miniature casino has been updated four times. More recently I wired the wall to go on with one press of a remote control button. The activation of the lights also activates “Elvis” to begin singing “Viva Las Vegas.” I have updated my Elvis display several times to include flashing lights and sound.
View the full collection in the slideshow below:
Here’s what my collection looked like three years ago:
[Photos and Video: Bruce Lynn]
Bruce responded to our Author For a Day article, and we are grateful. You can be an author for a day too, click here for the details.
I am 68 years old and have lived in New Jersey my whole life. My wife and I have visited Las Vegas 29 times since 1995. My youngest son was married there. The photo is me with Claudia Wells from Back To The Future taken on Freemont Street.
6 thoughts on “Vegas Collections: Bruce’s Epic Wall of Vegas”
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Love the picture of Siegfried and Roy in your Mirage casino!
This is so cute! I love your mini-Mirage. It’s a cool and unique collection and I really enjoyed seeing it.
WOW! This is amazing.. I LOVE that Munsters glass— Gorgeous… It was always my favorite machine, but I cannot find it in a single Vegas casino anymore. So sad… If you ever want to part with that one, let me know! LOL
Golden Gate (Downtown) still has a multi-denomination Munsters slot machine.
Wow. Impressive.
I am glad I posted my piece first, because its almost impossible to follow that!
Thank you for your comments!