We left the desert, climbed up into a pine forest and have now emerged onto a high desert plain area. All of this within 200 miles from Phoenix.
I’m really not quite sure how to describe Holbrook. It’s located on the Mother Road, Rte 66. Has dinosaurs everywhere you look. And that is just about it.
One of the neatest attractions in Holbrook is the Wigwam Motel. Yes, you can sleep in a teepee. I think that would really be a great experience, but since I have my own house and my own bed with me, we passed on staying there. Jim loved the old cars that were parked outside the “rooms”. I especially liked the 59 Impala because I once owned a car that looked just like this one.
The history of this motel is quite interesting. Mr. Chester Lewis owned other motels along Old Route 66 in the 1930’s in Arizona. While he was in Cave City, Kentucky in 1938 he saw his first Wigwam Village. It had been built by Frank Redford.
In that time period, the term franchises or chain motels were not known of, much less used and Mr. Redford was more interested in sharing his novel idea than making money. Mr. Lewis and Mr. Redford came to an agreement that radios would be placed in each Wigwam that would play for one half hour for a silver dime. Mr. Redford would then receive the dimes from the radios for a period of some years in payment for the use of his plans.
There were seven of these Wigwam Villages built from the 1930's to the 1950's from Florida to California. The Wigwam Motel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 2, 2002.
Also, in Holbrook is the Creepy 1898 Courthouse. The only reason it is creepy is because of the original jail cell that is still located in the building. The Courthouse has a museum in it, but we didn’t take the time to visit.
That was our tour of Holbrook which ended with a very forgettable meal at a very forgettable eating establishment.
I think this looks like a really cool time. Maybe a little campy but fun.
ReplyDeleteAs a kid we used to drive to my grandparents farm in SW Kentucky for vacations, and passed a Wigwam Village along the way. My dad always drove like hell past it so he wouldn't have to listen to us beg him to stop. When my own kids were small my husband and I took them to Mammoth Cave a couple of times, and we passed Wigwam Village. Of course I had to get out of the car and look around, and show my kids. Maybe I'll go back there some day and stay in a tepee!
ReplyDeleteIt would have been interesting to see how the teepee was decorated inside. Was it bring your own bedding such as a sleeping bag or did they actually have beds in there?
ReplyDeleteHolbrook looks like an interesting little town..and the teepees?..now that would be a fun place to stay!!
ReplyDeleteDo you get to use the old car if you stay in a Wig Wam?? :)
ReplyDeleteGreat blog and interesting story about the Wigwam Villages. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOprah and her friend Gayle went to the Wigwam Motel on their "road trip". The rooms are pretty basic. "forgetable meal" - forget it!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the pictures from your travels up and down. We saw the Wigwam Motel. Did you know Oprah stayed their one night. She didn't like it much. She needs lots of windows...LOL
ReplyDeleteHolbrook is interesting, real close to Petrified Forest/Painted Desert National Park one way and the La Posada Hotel in Winslow the other way which has one of our favorite restaurants, the Turquoise Room. Go for breakfast and get the Arizona Green Chile Eggs or the Corn Maiden. Just walk through the La Posada Hotel, it is real interesting. You can also 'Stand on the Corner' Winslow AZ from the Eagles song.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are having fun...thanks for the tour. I once had a 59 Chevy too...it was ORANGE!!
ReplyDeleteNice to see Holbrook again. I love those quirkly places. I liked the idea of sleeping in a wigman, but only briefly, I much prefer my Sleep Number Bed.
ReplyDeleteLaPosada was an interesting place to spend a little time.