Wigwam Motel / Route 66

Wigwam Motel on former Route 66 in San Bernardino. This is one of three surviving examples of a concept created by Frank A. Redford. These type of roadside attractions were an obvious insensitive exploitation and whitewashing of Native American heritage. Even the name illustrates this sort of cultural homogenization. A wigwam is actually more of a dome shape compared to the co-opted teepee form used by Redford.

There are conflicting stories regarding where Redford's inspiration for the design came from. This 1946 article in the San Bernardino Sun said he lived on a reservation as a boy. Although If he really did grow up on a Sioux Indian reservation you would think he may have known the difference between a wigwam and teepee.

A few other sources state he was inspired by a teepee restaurant in long Beach. Some say an ice cream stand but perhaps it was Teepee BBQ that was on 2nd Street and Covina Avenue?

Source: Monovisions

This location would be the last "Wigwam Village"built. Frank lived in a larger on the property until his death in 1957. Hailing from Kentucky, he started his venture in Horse Cave, Kentucky in 1933. It was a lunchroom and gas station that he later added motel rooms to. Here is a full list:

#1: Horse Cave, Kentucky - 1933

#2: Cave City, Kentucky - 1937

#3: New Orleans, Louisiana - 1940

#4: Orlando, Florida (Built by Jerry Kinsley) - 1948

#5: Bessemer, Alabama - 1940

#6: Holbrook, Arizona (Built by Charles E. Lewis) - 1950

#7: San Bernardino, California - 1949

Only a few were actually built by Frank. The rest were licensed out and he received royalties because Redford actually received a patent for his "wigwam" building technique. This was his second patent. The first was a 1936 Design Patent that looks identical to the BBQ restaurant in Long Beach.