Wigwam Motel
Encyclopedia
The Wigwam Motels, also known as the "Wigwam
Villages", is a motel chain in the United States
in which the rooms are built in the form of teepees, hence the name "wigwam". It originally had seven different locations: two locations in Kentucky
, a location in Alabama
, another location in Florida
, one in Arizona
, one in Louisiana
, and another one in California
. They are very distinctive historic landmarks. Two of the three surviving motels are located on historic U.S. Route 66
, in Holbrook, Arizona
and on the city boundary between Rialto
and San Bernardino, California
.Wigwam Motel #2, in Cave City, Kentucky
was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on March 16, 1988 under the official designation of Wigwam Village #2. Wigwam Village #6 was listed on May 2, 2002.
The motels were parodied in the Pixar film Cars
with a traffic-cone motel (going by the name of "The Cozy Cone motel") and in Rockstar game GTA San Andreas
under the name Tee Pee
Motel.
98,617 on February 18, 1936. The original drawing includes the swastika, at the time a symbol associated with native Americans or often worn as a good-luck charm. Seven Wigwam Villages were built between 1933 with Wigwam Village #1, to 195 s.
, Kentucky
.
Wigwam village #2 was built in 1937 a few miles south of the original wigwam village #1, but on US-31W in Cave City
. It was built consisting of 15 wigwams used as guest rooms and a much bigger concrete and steel central structure that originally served as a restaurant. The 15 wigwams are arranged in a semi circle around a common area with playground and recreation area. Each wigwam has a paved pad to accommodate one car.
The diameter at the base of each teepee is 14 feet (4.3 m), they are 32 feet (9.8 m) in height. Behind the main room of each unit is a small bathroom with sink, toilet, and shower. In 2008, the rooms contain the original restored hickory furniture, cable TV and a window mounted air conditioner. There are no telephones to maintain the original atmosphere of the motel, though there is internet access. The restaurant is no longer in operation, but the motel is still open and welcoming guests.http://www.wigwamvillage.com/
Wigwam village #2 is close to Mammoth Cave National Park
and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The motel is located on 601 North Dixie Hwy, Cave City, Kentucky.
Built in 1950 by Arizona motel
owner Chester E. Lewis, the plans were based on the original of Frank A. Redford. Lewis first became aware of the distinctive wigwam designs when he was passing through Cave City in 1938. He purchased the rights to Redford's design, as well as the right to use the name "Wigwam Village" in a novel royalty agreement: coin operated radios would be installed in Lewis' Wigwam Village, and every dime
inserted for 30 minutes of play would be sent to Redford as payment.
Lewis operated the motel successfully until closing it in 1974 when Interstate 40 bypassed downtown Holbrook. Two years after his death in 1986, sons Clifton, Paul Lewis and daughter Elinor renovated the motel, finally reopening it in 1988.
Fifteen concrete and steel teepee
s are arranged as a square with one edge missing where the main office is located. They are numbered from 1 to 16 (there is no teepee 13). The diameter of the base of each teepee is 14 feet (4.3 m), with each unit 32 feet (9.8 m) in height. Behind the main room of each unit is a small bathroom with sink, toilet, and shower. Current rooms contain the original restored hickory furniture, two double beds, cable TV and a window mounted air conditioner; there are no telephones or Internet access. Vintage restored automobiles from the 1960's and earlier are located throughout the parking area. Small green metal benches etched with the words "Wigwam Village #6" are scattered throughout the complex as well.
The Lewis family continues to run and maintain Wigwam Village #6. Elinor often shows up at 4:00 pm to open the office, and if requested, will fill a small ice bucket (there is no ice machine in keeping with the authenticity of the restoration) for customers. Near the registration desk is a small room which contains many of Chester Lewis' memorabilia (including a necklace of human teeth of unknown origin).
The individual units are called "wigwams;" not "rooms," "tepees" or "cabins." Wigwam number 1 was featured in the second episode of Oprah and Gayle's Big Adventure on Oprah's TV show.
Nearby places of interest include Petrified Forest National Monument and Meteor Crater
(Barringer Crater). Wigwam Village #6 is located on Historic Route 66, 811 West Hopi Drive, Holbrook, Arizona.
The motel was for a while very run down and rooms were rented by the hour, aggravated by the sign "do it in a teepee" that is still on site in the back.
Renovated in the last few years intensely by the Patel Family whom were awarded the National Historic Route 66 Federation's 2005 Cyrus Avery
Award for their efforts in restoration. Attention to detail was the main focus during renovation, as the Wigwams lost their zigzag pattern. Restoration restored the reputation and confidence back to the travelers.
The address of the motel is in Rialto, but the motel is inside San Bernardino. It is on the boundary between the two cities on Historic Route 66, 2728 West Foothill Boulevard, Rialto, California.
, which was built in 1942, is a setup where the teepees are of a different shapes and all line up in a straight line. It is not of the same design nor heritage as the Wigwam Motels.
Wharton's Tee Pee Motel had been in disrepair for decades. Then, in July 2003, Bryon Woods, a diesel
mechanic
, won the Texas Lottery
. At his wife's urging, Woods bought the property. Modern conveniences were added, and the Tee Pee Motel reopened for business in October 2006.
Wigwam
A wigwam or wickiup is a domed room dwelling used by certain Native American tribes. The term wickiup is generally used to label these kinds of dwellings in American Southwest and West. Wigwam is usually applied to these structures in the American Northeast...
Villages", is a motel chain in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in which the rooms are built in the form of teepees, hence the name "wigwam". It originally had seven different locations: two locations in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, a location in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, another location in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, one in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, one in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, and another one in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. They are very distinctive historic landmarks. Two of the three surviving motels are located on historic U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66 was a highway within the U.S. Highway System. One of the original U.S. highways, Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926 -- with road signs erected the following year...
, in Holbrook, Arizona
Holbrook, Arizona
-Historical events:*During 1881 & 1882, railroad tracks were laid down and a railroad station was built. The community was then named Holbrook after the first engineer of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad...
and on the city boundary between Rialto
Rialto, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Rialto had a population of 99,171. The population density was 4,434.1 people per square mile . The racial makeup of Rialto was 43,592 White, 16,236 African American, 1,062 Native American, 2,258 Asian, 361 Pacific Islander, 30,993 from other...
and San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino is a city located in the Riverside-San Bernardino metropolitan area , and serves as the county seat of San Bernardino County, California, United States...
.Wigwam Motel #2, in Cave City, Kentucky
Cave City, Kentucky
Cave City is a city in Barren County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 1,880 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Glasgow Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Cave City is located at ....
was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on March 16, 1988 under the official designation of Wigwam Village #2. Wigwam Village #6 was listed on May 2, 2002.
The motels were parodied in the Pixar film Cars
Cars (film)
Cars is a 2006 American animated family film produced by Pixar and directed by John Lasseter and co-directed by Joe Ranft. It is the seventh Disney·Pixar feature film, and Pixar's final, independently-produced motion picture before its purchase by Disney...
with a traffic-cone motel (going by the name of "The Cozy Cone motel") and in Rockstar game GTA San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a 2004 open world action video game developed by British games developer Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the third 3D game in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, the fifth original console release and eighth game overall...
under the name Tee Pee
Tipi
A tipi is a Lakota name for a conical tent traditionally made of animal skins and wooden poles used by the nomadic tribes and sedentary tribal dwellers of the Great Plains...
Motel.
History
Frank A. Redford applied for a patent on the ornamental design of the building on December 17, 1935, and was granted design patentDesign patent
In the United States, a design patent is a patent granted on the ornamental design of a functional item. Design patents are a type of industrial design right. Ornamental designs of jewelry, furniture, beverage containers and computer icons are examples of objects that are covered by design...
98,617 on February 18, 1936. The original drawing includes the swastika, at the time a symbol associated with native Americans or often worn as a good-luck charm. Seven Wigwam Villages were built between 1933 with Wigwam Village #1, to 195 s.
Wigwam villages
Wigwam Village #1: Horse Cave, Kentucky
Built in 1933 by Frank A. Redford and 6 more wigwams to be used as guest rooms. The central building and gas pumps are visible on undated postcards. Reportedly closed in 1935 when the nearby Wigwam Village #2 was opened. This wigwam village was razed in 1982. It was located on US-31E in Horse CaveHorse Cave, Kentucky
Horse Cave is a city in Hart County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,252 at the 2000 census.- History :The city is best known for the large natural cave opening located on the south side of Main Street, from which the town's name is derived. As for the historical reason for the odd...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
.
Wigwam village #2: Cave City, Kentucky
Cave City, Kentucky
Cave City is a city in Barren County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 1,880 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Glasgow Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Cave City is located at ....
. It was built consisting of 15 wigwams used as guest rooms and a much bigger concrete and steel central structure that originally served as a restaurant. The 15 wigwams are arranged in a semi circle around a common area with playground and recreation area. Each wigwam has a paved pad to accommodate one car.
The diameter at the base of each teepee is 14 feet (4.3 m), they are 32 feet (9.8 m) in height. Behind the main room of each unit is a small bathroom with sink, toilet, and shower. In 2008, the rooms contain the original restored hickory furniture, cable TV and a window mounted air conditioner. There are no telephones to maintain the original atmosphere of the motel, though there is internet access. The restaurant is no longer in operation, but the motel is still open and welcoming guests.http://www.wigwamvillage.com/
Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park is a U.S. National Park in central Kentucky, encompassing portions of Mammoth Cave, the longest cave system known in the world. The official name of the system is the Mammoth-Flint Ridge Cave System for the ridge under which the cave has formed. The park was established...
and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The motel is located on 601 North Dixie Hwy, Cave City, Kentucky.
Wigwam village #3: New Orleans, Louisiana
Built in 1940, near U.S. highway 61, this wigwam village was lost after it went out of business in 1954. It was located on U.S. highway 61 in Metairie, a suburb of New Orleans.Wigwam village #4: Orlando, Florida
Wigwam village #4 was built in 1948. This relatively large wigwam village consisted of 27 or 31 guest rooms each in a separate wigwam constructed to resemble a horseshoe. A restaurant was built into the central and larger wigwam and more services were available, including a pool located in the middle of the lot. It was nicknamed and also self-proclaimed "Orlando's Largest Motel". Wigwam village #4 was razed in 1974. It was located near US Highways 441, 17 and 92, Orlando, Florida. A 326 room Vacation Lodge now sits on the site, appearently still using the former motel's swimming pool.Wigwam village #5: Bessemer, Alabama
The Wigwam Village #5 was built in 1940. It village consisted of 15 wigwams arranged in a semicircle, surrounding the much larger wigwam and two smaller ones, which served as offices and a restaurant. This wigwam village and cafe fell into ruin after it went out of business in 1964. It was demolished soon afterwards. It was located 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Downtown Bessemer, on US Highway 11, Bessemer, Alabama.Wigwam village #6: Holbrook, Arizona
Motel
A motor hotel, or motel for short, is a hotel designed for motorists, and usually has a parking area for motor vehicles...
owner Chester E. Lewis, the plans were based on the original of Frank A. Redford. Lewis first became aware of the distinctive wigwam designs when he was passing through Cave City in 1938. He purchased the rights to Redford's design, as well as the right to use the name "Wigwam Village" in a novel royalty agreement: coin operated radios would be installed in Lewis' Wigwam Village, and every dime
Dime (United States coin)
The dime is a coin 10 cents, one tenth of a United States dollar, labeled formally as "one dime". The denomination was first authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792. The dime is the smallest in diameter and is the thinnest of all U.S...
inserted for 30 minutes of play would be sent to Redford as payment.
Lewis operated the motel successfully until closing it in 1974 when Interstate 40 bypassed downtown Holbrook. Two years after his death in 1986, sons Clifton, Paul Lewis and daughter Elinor renovated the motel, finally reopening it in 1988.
Fifteen concrete and steel teepee
Tipi
A tipi is a Lakota name for a conical tent traditionally made of animal skins and wooden poles used by the nomadic tribes and sedentary tribal dwellers of the Great Plains...
s are arranged as a square with one edge missing where the main office is located. They are numbered from 1 to 16 (there is no teepee 13). The diameter of the base of each teepee is 14 feet (4.3 m), with each unit 32 feet (9.8 m) in height. Behind the main room of each unit is a small bathroom with sink, toilet, and shower. Current rooms contain the original restored hickory furniture, two double beds, cable TV and a window mounted air conditioner; there are no telephones or Internet access. Vintage restored automobiles from the 1960's and earlier are located throughout the parking area. Small green metal benches etched with the words "Wigwam Village #6" are scattered throughout the complex as well.
The individual units are called "wigwams;" not "rooms," "tepees" or "cabins." Wigwam number 1 was featured in the second episode of Oprah and Gayle's Big Adventure on Oprah's TV show.
Nearby places of interest include Petrified Forest National Monument and Meteor Crater
Meteor Crater
Meteor Crater is a meteorite impact crater located approximately east of Flagstaff, near Winslow in the northern Arizona desert of the United States. Because the US Department of the Interior Division of Names commonly recognizes names of natural features derived from the nearest post office, the...
(Barringer Crater). Wigwam Village #6 is located on Historic Route 66, 811 West Hopi Drive, Holbrook, Arizona.
Wigwam village #7: Rialto/San Bernardino, California
Frank Redford built this one for himself in 1947/49 and NOT as a franchise as the Holbrook, Az property. There is a central building that is currently used as an office but it is very spacious lobby inside; which is open 24 hours a day for all travelers. There is not one arch of wigwams as with the other surviving villages, but a double row of wigwam guest rooms totaling at 19. There is also a swimming pool, large grass front with over 35 palm trees surrounding then entire property as well as a base for what seems to be another never completed wigwam in the back of the property. Wigwam Village #7 is considered by many travelers to be the most famous & well kept property of them all, since the Patel family continuously up keeps Mr. Redfords beloved Wigwam Village #7 & to cater to modern travelers on the historic 66 road.The motel was for a while very run down and rooms were rented by the hour, aggravated by the sign "do it in a teepee" that is still on site in the back.
Renovated in the last few years intensely by the Patel Family whom were awarded the National Historic Route 66 Federation's 2005 Cyrus Avery
Cyrus Avery
Cyrus Stevens Avery was known as the "Father of Route 66". He created the route while a member of the federal board appointed to create the Federal Highway System, then pushed for the establishment of the U.S. Highway 66 Association to pave and promote the highway.-Early life and move to...
Award for their efforts in restoration. Attention to detail was the main focus during renovation, as the Wigwams lost their zigzag pattern. Restoration restored the reputation and confidence back to the travelers.
The address of the motel is in Rialto, but the motel is inside San Bernardino. It is on the boundary between the two cities on Historic Route 66, 2728 West Foothill Boulevard, Rialto, California.
Other wigwam like motels
The Tee Pee Motel in Wharton, TexasWharton, Texas
Wharton is a city in Wharton County, Texas, United States. The population was 9,237 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Wharton County and is located on the Colorado River of Texas just south of U.S...
, which was built in 1942, is a setup where the teepees are of a different shapes and all line up in a straight line. It is not of the same design nor heritage as the Wigwam Motels.
Wharton's Tee Pee Motel had been in disrepair for decades. Then, in July 2003, Bryon Woods, a diesel
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
mechanic
Mechanic
A mechanic is a craftsman or technician who uses tools to build or repair machinery.Many mechanics are specialized in a particular field such as auto mechanics, bicycle mechanics, motorcycle mechanics, boiler mechanics, general mechanics, industrial maintenance mechanics , air conditioning and...
, won the Texas Lottery
Texas Lottery
The Texas Lottery is the government-operated lottery available throughout Texas. It is operated by the Texas Lottery Commission, headquartered in downtown Austin.-History:...
. At his wife's urging, Woods bought the property. Modern conveniences were added, and the Tee Pee Motel reopened for business in October 2006.