Historic Route 66 – California

After a long day of exploring California’s historic Route 66, the cone shaped lodgings rising from the palm tree surrounded property are a welcome sight. Whether your travels on the Mother Road mean you are heading east or west, a stop in Rialto, California is a must. Since 1949, the Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino County offers explorers a chance to sleep in a teepee on Route 66. 

The first time we visited the Wigwam Motel was a brief stop during a motorcycle day trip in October 2018. The gift shop is small yet has a great selection of Route 66 souvenirs and mementos. 

We made plans then to stay the night here at some point, and eventually made the trip in November 2020. We did a two-night Route 66 road trip over Veterans’ Day weekend on our motorcycle and stayed at the Wigwam Motel the second night. Let’s check it out!

Know Before You Go

• The Wigwam Motel (a.k.a. Wigwam Village #7) is on Historic Route 66 in Rialto, California (San Bernardino County).
• It was the final Wigwam Village opened by Frank A. Redford in 1949.
• 19 teepee shaped motel units/rooms on property. Some sleep two and others sleep four. 
• Each room has modern amenities and convenience features such as free room-side parking, free Wi-Fi, modern bathroom with hot shower, flat-screen HD-TV with premium cable channels, mini-fridge, AC/heater, and electronic key door lock.
• Park-like setting with green grounds, a swimming pool, and a 24-hour motel office with a gift shop. Reservations encouraged.
• Historic vibes on property include some vintage vehicles (complete with rust) and classic roadside advertising signs.

Our Visit – November 2020

This Route 66 trip was on our motorcycle and took us from San Diego to Needles, California (316 miles) where we stayed the first night at Fender’s Resort. Fender’s is the only resort on Route 66 and the Colorado River. It has RV spots and a vintage motor lodge with motel rooms. 

The next morning, we set out on our Harley-Davidson and headed west traveling as much of the historic Route 66 as possible. Our pit stops included Road Runner’s Retreat in Chambless, Roy’s in Amboy, and a late lunch (with breakfast food) at Roy’s Café in Barstow. After riding through Helendale, Victorville, and the Cajon Junction, we completed our ride (214 miles) with an overnight stop in Rialto at the Wigwam Motel. 

As we checked in at the lobby, we were warmly welcomed and given the key cards for one of the deluxe queen non-smoking wigwams. The room-side parking is so convenient, and we got settled into wigwam #17 for the night. We changed out of our riding gear, explored the grounds, and bought some keepsakes in the gift shop. Pizza delivery was the perfect option for dinner.

The cone-shaped teepee rooms are 32 feet high with a main room and small, yet spacious, bathroom. We did not feel cramped and had plenty of space throughout our stay. The rooms have a poured concrete foundation with a wood framing stucco exterior designed by Redford. The interior of the teepee is well-kept with modern conveniences like an HD-TV and a mini fridge. The tile in the bathroom seems to be original, or a great reproduction with a vintage feel. Be sure to check out the unique shower with mini tub! 

After a good night’s rest, we snapped a few more photos in the morning light and rode back to San Diego. Compared to the first two days of riding, the final leg (102 miles) of our journey was a breeze! On a future trip, we will explore the rest of California’s Route 66 west of San Bernardino.

Photo Gallery – Wigwam Motel 

November 2020

Arriving at Wigwam Motel

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Wigwam #17

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Morning Views of Wigwam Motel

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History of Wigwam Villages

The first Wigwam Village was built in the early 1930s by Frank A. Redford in Horse Cave, Kentucky near Mammoth Cave National Park. Redford’s idea for enormous teepee-shaped rooms was inspired by an ice cream stand he saw on a trip to Long Beach, California. His interest with Native American culture began when he was a child. As an adult, Redford collected Native American artifacts. In Kentucky, he wanted to attract visitors who visited Mammoth Cave. In the early 1930s, there was a teepee-shaped lunchroom and a service station. The restaurant also featured Redford’s collection of artifacts. In 1933, Redford added 15 teepee-shaped rooms for overnight tourists.  

The idea was awarded Design Patent USD98617S in 1936 for its overall resort design in roadside architecture and became the model for the six other Wigwam Villages. In 1937, a second Wigwam Village was built 5 miles from the original in Cave City, KY. Now referred to as Wigwam Village #2, Wigwam Village in Cave City was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. Wigwam Village #1 was demolished in 1981 and for a while there was a Wigwam Gulf Station across the street as a reminder. Today, the gas station is home to the Wigwam General Store, a locally owned store and casual restaurant.

Through the Years

At one point in America’s history there were seven Wigwam Villages in six states. Today only three locations exist, and two of them are on Route 66. Wigwam Villages #3 through #6 were not built by Redford and were independently owned and operated. Redford’s design patent was an open patent, which allowed others to use it and they typically paid a licensing fee. Also on Route 66, Wigwam Village #6 in Holbrook, Arizona was placed on the National Register of Historic Places list in 2002.

The site in Rialto, California (Wigwam Village #7) was built by Redford after he sold his Kentucky motels and moved to California. He chose this location just outside the city limits of San Bernardino in 1947 after the city rejected his plans. In 1949, the Wigwam Motel had 11 teepees when it opened. Eight more teepees were added in 1953. This version with 19 motel units and a lobby building varied from his original design.

The lobby is connected to a larger teepee that was built to be a two-story apartment for Redford. He lived in this apartment until his death on December 3, 1958. Today the location is just inside the San Bernardino city limits, yet has a Rialto address. The Wigwam Motel was bought in 2003 by the Patel family who restored the roadside architecture to its previous historic glory and beauty. Wigwam Village #7 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places list in 2012.

In architectural terms, the Wigwam Villages are not technically wigwams. A wigwam is a dome-shaped hut or tent with mats or animal skins over a framework of poles. A teepee is a conical tent made of skins or cloth on a frame of poles and considered more portable. The reason that Redford preferred using the term wigwams for his teepee design is not clear. 

You Can Sleep in a Teepee

Wigwam Villages #2, #6, and #7 are still in operation today as motels. The locations in Arizona and California are favorite stops for Route 66 travelers, which has aided in their ongoing sustainability. The other four villages have been demolished. 

Complete list:

• Wigwam Village #1: Horse Cave, Kentucky (1933 – 1981)
• Wigwam Village #2: Cave City, Kentucky (1937 – present)
• Wigwam Village #3: Metairie/New Orleans, Louisiana (1940 – 1954)
• Wigwam Village #4: Orlando, Florida (circa early 1940s – 1973)
• Wigwam Village #5: Bessemer/Birmingham, Alabama (1941 – 1964) 
• Wigwam Village #6: Holbrook, Arizona (1950 – 1974, 1988 – present)
• Wigwam Village #7: Rialto/San Bernardino, California (1950 – present)

Present-day Homage to Wigwam Villages

The architecture of the Wigwam Villages inspired the Pixar artists when they were doing research for the first Cars movie. On an extensive Route 66 road trip, the team from Pixar explored many iconic stops on the Mother Road that eventually made their way into the animated movie released in 2006. 

In the fictional town of Radiator Springs, the Cozy Cone Motel is owned and operated by Sally Carrerra. In the movie, the motel’s rooms are several large traffic cones. The design of this animated motel was inspired by the real-life Wigwam Motels along Route 66 in Arizona and California. Cozy Cone Motel is shown in the films Cars, Cars 2, and Cars 3, along with being in some of the Cars Toons episodes. 

The Disney Imagineers brought Radiator Springs to life when Cars Land was added to Disney California Adventure (DCA) in 2012. The Cozy Cone Motel is a quick-service dining location that features cone-pun named snacks offered in each of the five cones. You can try different “i-cone-ic” treats like chili “cone” queso, flavored popcorn (“popcone”), churros, soft serve ice cream cones, and “route” beer floats. When the Disney Parks in California reopen, take a stroll down Route 66 in Cars Land and fuel up on tasty treats at the Cozy Cone Motel.

Would We Stay Here Again?

Yes! In a heartbeat! The Wigwam Motel is one of the legendary motels on Route 66 and it lives up to the hype. It is obvious the current owners take pride in this historic motel and they offer genuine hospitality. At the end of a long day, no matter how iconic the location and décor, the motel or hotel room must be clean and comfortable to merit a second stay. As its website says:

“For a true time-traveling mind-bending historical experience full of adventure, quaint beauty and memorable sights, the Wigwam Motel is the place to be.”

WigwamMotel.com

We would stay here again and recommend you check it out the next time your travels take you to San Bernardino, California. Without a stay at the Wigwam Motel, your Route 66 road trip in California is incomplete. If you’re not able to stay the night, be sure to stop by and visit the gift shop to experience the wonder of its history firsthand.

Have you visited the Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, California? Are you planning to sleep in a teepee? Looking forward to hearing from you in the comments! Like & Follow my Facebook page for mini posts.

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