In today’s Zen, we hit the road and visit one of the remaining Wigwam Motels.  I knew that there were more than one of these classic roadside attractions built back in the 1930s and 1940s but as it turns out there were 7 built across 6  states for a total tepee count of more than 110!  Oh, the things you learn when you wander!  Let’s jump in the family station wagon for a quick road trip…

Wanderer’s Note: I recently had the privilege of speaking to the owner/caretaker of Wigwam Village #2. Although he validated my synopsis of Frank Redford’s journey, you can get a much deeper dive on his site: https://historicwigwamvillage.com/.

Frank A. Redford grew up in Hart County, Kentucky.  After high school, he landed a job at the United Fruit Company in Honduras, where he lived and worked until news of his father’s death brought him back home to be with his mother.  During a trip to California, the two came across a small tepee-shaped restaurant in Long Beach that they enjoyed, and he never forgot.  Seeing an opportunity back home due to the newly recognized Mammoth Cave National Park, located just 11 miles away, Frank set out to attract the cave tourists and built his version of the tepee experience.  What is now referred to as Wigwam #1 was built in 1933 and consisted of a lunchroom and a service station.  He had a hit on his hands, and in 1935, he added six tee-pee-shaped motel rooms along with two additional tepee-shaped restrooms for the ‘squaws’ and ‘braves’ that were traveling the roads of the day.  An Indian Trading Post was built out front to capture the eye of passing visitors (as if the tepees weren’t enough) that sold ice cream, sodas, and souvenirs.  His creation was so successful that he was awarded a patent in 1936 for his ‘resort design.’

Before we go on, let’s take a moment for an architectural debrief.  Although Frank called his locations Wigwam Villages, they technically contained no wigwams.  A wigwam is a dome-shaped hut or tent made by fastening mats, skins, or bark over a framework of poles, whereas a tepee is a portable conical tent made of skins, cloth, or canvas on a frame of poles.  I just wanted to clear the air in case anyone was scratching their head on the terminology!

In 1937, Frank built his second Wigwam Village in Cave City, just 5 miles from the original.  This location was better suited to capture the road trippers and was built on a larger scale.  It included a larger lunchroom, a gas station, restrooms, and 15 motel rooms placed in a semi-circle around an open area.  Wigwam #2 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988 and is still very much in operation today.

Villages #3 – #6 were not built by Redford. He held an open patent that allowed others to use the patent but typically charged a licensing fee. Village #6 was built in 1950 in Holbrook, Arizona, on Route 66 and is perhaps the most famous of the Villages because of its location on America’s Mother Road. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places list in 2002.

Wigwam #7 ~ Route 66 ~ Rialto, CA

In 1950, Frank built the last of the Wigwam Villages on Route 66 on the border of San Bernardino and Rialto in California.  This version had 19 motel units a lobby building (which varied from his original design) and a connected larger a teepee which was built to be a two-story apartment for Redford. Redford lived in this apartment until his death in 1958.  Wigwam #7 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.

As with most things from our collective American Adventure, you must take a step back and reflect.  Was Redford capitalizing on and even, perhaps, exploiting Native American culture?  I admit, my research on him is not vast, however, he did seem to have an appreciation and respect for the culture and its people.  Thankfully, we continue to evolve as a society.  The Wigwam Villages have made their mark on the road trips of families from across the globe.  If you can pay one a visit, you won’t be disappointed.  These roadside attractions are numbered and aging; seeing them while you can is fun!  

Villages #2, #6, & #7 are still operating today.  The others have suffered the fate of progress.  Here is the complete list:

• Village #1: Horse Cave, Kentucky
• Village #2: Cave City, Kentucky
• Village #3: New Orleans, Louisiana
• Village #4: Orlando, Florida
• Village #5: Bessemer, Alabama
• Village #6: Holbrook, Arizona
• Village #7: Rialto/San Bernardino, California

Cozy Cone Motel ~ Disney California Adventure

We end our road trip today with a present-day homage to the Wigwam Villages. Next time you are at the Disneyland Resort, stroll down Route 66 in Cars Land, located in Disney California Adventure, and stop into the Cozy Cone Motel for a few delicious treats purchased straight out of a Motel Room Cone.