Route 66. The name alone conjures up myriad images and memories: of wide-open spaces where blacktop stretches for miles into the horizon, of neon signs and quirky landmarks, of a time when cars were king and the highway was seen as a symbol of adventure and independence. While the development of the national interstate and defense highway system resulted in the disappearance of many of historic roadside attractions, one of the most iconic on the entire nationwide stretch of The Mother Road can still be seen in Arizona — and a night at the Wigwam Village No. 6 is a must-do for any Route 66 aficionado.
Roadside Originals
Few sights are as immediately recognizable as the tipi-shaped lodges of the Wigwam Villages motels. They’re featured on postcards and in books about Route 66, they’ve been seen in movies; and they even served as inspiration for the Cozy Cone Motel in Pixar’s popular “Cars.”
The first Wigwam Village was built in 1935 in Horse Cave, Kentucky. Developer Frank A. Redford was a collector of Native American artifacts, and he had built a museum/shop to house his collection. He surrounded it with tipi-shaped cabins that he called “wigwams.” He preferred the term “wigwam” over “teepee” or “tipi,” even though it is incorrect for the style of building. At the time, very few highway motels existed, and the cone-shaped structures provided not only a place to spend a night or two but also a fun memory.
Redford patented his design in 1936 and opened a second, larger village with 15 tipis in nearby Cave City, Kentucky. In the 1940s, additional villages sprouted up in cities such as New Orleans, Orlando, Florida, Bessemer, Alabama, and San Bernardino, California.
At one time, there were seven Wigwam Villages across the country. Today, only three remain. Two are located on Route 66: Village #7 in San Bernardino and Village #6 in Holbrook, Arizona. Village #2 in Cave City also survives.
A Historic Route 66 Attraction
Wigwam Village #6 was built in 1937 by Chester E. Lewis. Lewis had been traveling through Kentucky and was captivated by the novelty of the Redford’s original villages. He purchased the rights to the design and the name.
Fifteen concrete and steel tipis are arranged on three sides of a rectangular-shaped lot in what is now downtown Holbrook. Numbered 1-16 (there is no number 13), each unit stands 32 feet tall with a base diameter of 14 feet, according to the motel’s website. In the center of the property is a main office, which used to be a gas station. Today, it serves as the lobby, a gift shop, and a museum for Lewis’ collection of petrified wood, Native American and Civil War artifacts, and Route 66 memorabilia. It is flanked by two smaller tipis.
Lewis operated the motel until the 1970s, when Interstate 40 bypassed downtown Holbrook. The motel closed in 1974 and fell into disrepair. After Lewis’ passing in 1986, his children renovated the property and reopened it in 1988. A collection of vintage cars and trucks, including Lewis’ personal Studebaker, dot the property, adding to its nostalgic charm.
In 2002, Wigwam Village #6 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Stay in a Wigwam
Don’t expect a luxury stay when you book a wigwam. The rooms are compact and basic. Two configurations are available: a single queen-size bed or two full-size beds. I stayed in a double full room.
Other than the beds, the furniture and amenities are minimal. The rustic furnishings are the original hickory pieces from when Lewis first opened the motel. There are two floor lamps, one on the side of each bed, a desk/vanity and chair, a bench that’s ideal for holding light bags and purses, and a wall-mount coat rack. A window air-conditioning unit, a small TV, and WiFi are modern touches. There is no phone, coffee maker, or fridge.
A small sliver at the rear of the tipi houses the bathroom, complete with a toilet, wall-mount sink, and shower stall. A basket of single-use toiletries rests on the back of the toilet.
While clean, the rooms are showing some age. The tile is worn, and the paint is chipped and peeling. But overall, the room is comfortable. The AC cranks out cold air, the bedding is cozy, and the towels are fluffy. And the TV offers a multitude of channels, and the WiFi is strong. In addition, the wigwams are pet-friendly, and the spacious grounds offers plenty of space for potty breaks.
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If You Go to Wigwam Village #6
Wigwam Village #6 is located in the heart of Holbrook, Arizona, along the eastern end of the state’s stretch of Route 66. Not only does it attract folks traveling along The Mother Road, but it is also just minutes from Petrified Forest National Park, Painted Desert, and the Navajo Nation.
Because there are only 15 tipis, rooms fill up fast. And for many travelers along Route 66, staying at Wigwam Village is a bucket-list experience. So it is recommended to make reservations as far ahead of time as possible.
Rooms are reasonably priced. They start at about $100/night during the off-season and can go upward of $200/night during peak months. In addition, there is a $25/day pet fee if you bring your dog. And while the motel does not have a restaurant, there are plenty of places in Holbrook to get a meal, from casual diners and fast food to full-service steakhouses and Mexican joints.
Wigwam Village #6 is just one of a growing number of historic Route 66 roadside motels that are being renovated. Check out our reviews of the El Vado and Hotel Zazz in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona.
All photos by Rebecca L. Rhoades
