Holbrook, AZ - Travelers going to Arizona for a first time Route 66 trip typically list a detour to the Grand Canyon on top of their list. Close behind is a a visit to the Wigwam Village No. 6 now called Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, AZ with its multiple tee pees, neon sign, and classic cars parked in front.
Sleep in a Wigwam theme
Holbrook, AZ
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The office area Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Wigwam Motel was constructed by Chester E. Lewis after he viewed the Wigwam Village No. 2 in Cave City, KY. The Cave City location was designed and built by Frank Redford who was an architect that thought travelers would enjoy an overnight visit in a tee pee. After Mr. Lewis bought rights to use the name, he built seven wigwam villages for 20 years beginning in 1936. The Holbrook location was built during this time and is Wigwam Village No. 6.
Check out this classic outside of the tee pee Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Tee Pees Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Wigwam Village featured 15 rooms that do not necessarily resemble wigwams but tee pees. This unique roadside americana motel was still in business catching the eye of weary travelers passing through town until 1982. Word is the motel closed due in part to the town being bypassed by the interstate a few years prior causing traffic through town to suffer. After Mr. Lewis passed away, his children re-purchased the property and redid the Wigwam Village. They created a museum in the main office, removed the gas pumps, and reopened the Wigwam Motel in 1988.
A view of Wigwam Village No. 6 from across the street Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Wigwam Motel No.6 is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is one of three Wigwam Villages that survive to this day. This Holbrook location is decked out with classic cars in front of each tee pee and reservations are sometimes difficult to come by especially during the peak tourist season. Here's to many more years of the Wigwam Motel. 09-21
The view of the motel office in 2020 Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
More Photos
Another shot of the cars and a tee pee Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Seeing the tee pee cluster Photo by RoadsidePeek.com