Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino | Route 66

Constructed in the late 1940's, this Wigwam Motel in California along Route 66 was originally part of a motel chain of "wigwam villages". There were seven villages in total across the United States that were the vision of Frank Redford. Today only three remain, with one in Kentucky, one in Arizona, and this one that I visited in Rialto / San Bernardino, California. 

I was road tripping along Route 66 in Southern California in a beautiful Jaguar so naturally I had to get a few shots of it next to these kitschy landmarks. Surrounded by old neon signs and Route 66 decor, the Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino has a quaint charm and iconic theme - although it seems appropriate to point out that these buildings are technically shaped like teepees not wigwams. However, on a legendary road that's become more famous for its memorabilia and history than its current reality, it was nice to find a place this authentic.  

In 2012 this motel (Wigwam Village #7) was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Jaguar at the wigwams.