The Long Way
Navajo County
A tall white teepee-shaped structure stands outdoors under a cloudy sky.
Plate I. Teepee unit, Wigwam Village Motel #6. From sleepinawigwam.com
Classic cars parked in front of teepees under a blue sky.
Plate II. Vintage cars at Wigwam Village Motel. From sleepinawigwam.com
A row of white teepee-shaped motel units with vintage cars parked in front.
Plate III. Teepee-shaped units, Wigwam Village Motel #6. From sleepinawigwam.com
Interior view of a rustic wooden shop with merchandise and displays.
Plate IV. Gift shop interior, Wigwam Village Motel #6. From sleepinawigwam.com

Wigwam Village Motel #6

Holbrook, Navajo County, Arizona. Motel; Year-round.

Details

Map. Holbrook, Navajo County, Arizona. Larger map
Where
811 W Hopi Dr, Holbrook, AZ 86025. Directions
When
Latest check-in 9 PM (notify office in advance).
Getting there
Located at 811 West Hopi Dr. in Holbrook, Arizona.
Fees
$105 per night plus tax (Queen Bed Wigwam); $115 per night plus tax (Wigwams with two full-sized beds).
Access
Most Wigwams not wheelchair accessible due to 1950s construction; modern apartments behind the Wigwams are wheelchair accessible.
Walk-in or reserve
Reservation recommended via online booking.
Phone
(928) 524-3048
Website
sleepinawigwam.com
Managed by
Lewis family.
Established
1950.

One of the most iconic landmarks along historic Route 66; the motel offers a nostalgic journey back to the golden age of American road trips, with distinctive teepee-shaped units.

Notable Events

  1. 1938Passing through Cave City, Kentucky, Chester E. Lewis was impressed by the original Wigwam Village built by architect Frank Redford. nps.gov
  2. 1950Chester E. Lewis opened his motel for business. npgallery.nps.gov
  3. 1956The office/service station was built to replace the largest wigwam, which had originally served as office and service station. npgallery.nps.gov
  4. 1970sLewis operated the motel until Interstate 40 bypassed downtown Holbrook in the late-1970s. nps.gov
  5. 1974The motel was shut down from 1974 till 1988 in response to reduced business through small towns bypassed by the interstate highway system in the early 1970s. npgallery.nps.gov
  6. 1986After Chester Lewis's death in 1986, his children Clifton, Paul, and Elinor renovated the property and reopened it in 1988. sleepinawigwam.com
  7. 1988The middle section of the office was remodeled and the museum portion opened to the public. npgallery.nps.gov
  8. 2002Wigwam Village #6 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. hmdb.org
  9. 2003The motel received Cost-Share Grants from the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. nps.gov

People

  • Paul Lewis, Geologist; preparer of the National Register form.
  • Chester E. Lewis, builder and operator; bought Redford's plans and the right to use the Wigwam Village name.
  • Frank Redford, architect who patented the wigwam village design; paid royalties from coin-operated radios (1936).
  • Clifton Lewis, son of Chester Lewis; renovated and reopened the motel (1988).
  • Elinor, child of Chester Lewis; renovated and reopened the motel (1988).

Sources

  1. nps.gov/places/wigwam-village-motel-6.htm
  2. sleepinawigwam.com
  3. sleepinawigwam.com/our-story
  4. sleepinawigwam.com/faqs
  5. nps.gov/places/wigwam-village-motel-6.htm
  6. npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/ccaef8b0-a46d-470c-9f28-8f85983dc9e3
  7. npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID=ccaef8b0-a46d-470c-9f28-8f85983dc9e3
  8. hmdb.org/m.asp?m=119936