Del Parker's Parkerosa

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MAP OF WIGWAM NATION

(CLICK ON THE WIGWAM ICONS ABOVE TO JUMP TO AN IDENTIFICATION OF THE SITE)

WIGWAM STRUCTURES ARE AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF OUR NATIONAL HERITAGE AND A UNIQUELY AMERICAN EXPRESSION OF ROADSIDE ARCHITECTURE.  ROADSIDE WIGWAM STRUCTURES HAVE PROUDLY SERVED THE NATION IN THE FORM OF MOTELS, RESTAURANTS, GAS STATIONS,  GIFT SHOPS AND REST ROOMS.

THE MAP OF WIGWAM NATION ABOVE IDENTIFIES LOCATIONS FOR NOTABLE WIGWAM STRUCTURES IN THIS, OUR WIGWAM NATION.  IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION RELATED TO OTHER WIGWAM SITES, PLEASE EMAIL ME AND INCLUDE AS MANY DETAILS  AS YOU ARE WILLING TO SHARE - YOU WILL RECEIVE APPROPRAITE CREDIT FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS.

LIST OF WIGWAM FACILITIES SHOWN ON WIGWAM NATION MAP

Buffalo Bill Tepee, souvenirrs & refreshments, On Interstate 80, Brady, NE;  "A friendly stop on your vacation trip for souvenirs and refreshments.";  currrent disposition not known.  postcard image

Buffalo Ranch Trading Post, gift shop,   Junction US Highways 66-69-60-59, near Afton, OK;  Genuine Indian made (Medicine Lodge) Teepee, 22 feet high;  currrent disposition not known.  postcard image

Chief Poolah's Tepee, Indian gift shop, Old Town, ME;  postcard image courtesy of Western Roadside; currrent disposition not known, more information needed.  postcard image of exterior

Del Parker's Parkerosa, gift shop/gallery and wigwam accommodations, caught sideways in a timewarp somewheres near Cazenovia, NY.  web link

DLD Motel, wigwam accommodations; Hastings, NE, no longer standing, more information needed (1).

Eagles Nest Ranch, tepee filling station; Corwin Springs, MT (near Gardiner); interesting dual-tepee structure where smaller tepee is a canopy over the gas pumps, first postcard image courtesy of Western Roadside; more information needed.  postcard image of exterior - another postcard image of exterior

Gateway Lodge, wigwam style restrooms, at the east entrance to Zion National Park, Utah; postcard image courtesy of Western Roadside; current disposition not known - more information needed.  postcard image of exterior

Geronimo's Castle, teepee style bus station, curio shop, gas station and restaurant, Bowie, AZ; "Erected near where Chief Geronimo of the Apaches was captured.  Stop in for a bottle of beer!  Clifford B. Head, Proprietor"; postcard image courtesy of Western Roadside; current disposition not known - more information needed.  postcard image of exterior

Hedge's Wigwam, wigwam restaurant and gift shop, Royal Oak, MI; exterior postcard images courtesy of Western Roadside and L. Spilkin; current disposition not known - more information needed.  postcard image of exterior - postcard image of interior - another exterior view

Indian Village,  wigwam accommodations, restaurant and service station; Lawrence, KS, US Route 40.  Early wigwam tourist court built circa 1930-31 by Frank W. McDonald, and which may predate the wigwam village franchises of Frank Redford (1).  Featured dining and dancing.  postcard image of exterior

Indian Village, wigwam accomodations, Alberta, VA; US Route #1, 60 miles south of Richmond, 14 miles north of South Hill; "The Indian village is a camp for the discriminating.  The wigwams are of wood and steel construction, and each contains a complete bathroom, hot and cold water, and shower."; exterior postcard image courtesy of Wm. Mankin; current disposition not known - more information needed.  postcard image of exterior

Indian Village Motor Lodge, wigwam gift shop, Cheyenne, WY; this establishment boasted as being one of America's finest and most unique motor courts, catering to the discriminating guest;  amenities included steam heated and insulated cabins, telephones and circulating hot water;  was recommended by Duncan Hines; current disposition not known.  postcard image of exterior

Jene's Tee Pee, curio and sourvenir shop, Rte. 66, Tucumcari, NM; "Featuring the finest Indian made jewelry and unusual gifts from the southwest; still in operation; postcard image courtesy of Western Roadside.  postcard image of exterior - link to Rte. 66 Federation photo gallery

Jerome's Tepee, teepee style souvenir and ice cream shop, 3 miles west of Grand Island, NE on Highway 30; linen postcard image courtesy of Western Roadside; current disposition not known - more information needed.  Does Jerome's Teepee have anything to do with the DLD Motel in Hastings, NE?  linen postcard image of exterior - another postcard image of exterior - postcard image of outdoor stand

Kramer's Wigwam, wigwam style gas station and roadside cafe, Browning, MT; later called the Wigwam Cafe; more information needed; postcard image of Kramer's Wigwam courtesy of Western Roadside.  postcard image as Kramer's Wigwam - postcard image as the Wigwam Cafe

Mission Village, early roadside destination and theme park, Los Angeles, CA; designed, erected and owned by Robert E. Calahan (author of western theme novels), featured 150 trailer spaces and overnight accomodations; current disposition not known - more information needed.  postcard image of exterior

Motel Conway, teepee style office  and Indian curio shop, El Reno, OK; on Highway 66, "drive in theatre 5 blocks away; exterior postcard image courtesy of JMTaylor Collection, multi-view postcard image courtesy of Western Roadside; current disposition not known - more information needed.  postcard image of exterior  - multi-view postcard image

Mud Creek Hogan, native American trading post & cultural craft center, Highway 160, Mancos, CO; Built in 1959 by a local group of Navaho Indians - an awesome roadside architectural/sculpural statement; photographic image and background information courtesy of Larry Naymik.  photo of exterior

Sierra Blanca, TX Roadside Park, Texas Highway Dept. roadside picnic area and rest stop , Sierra Blanca, TX; current dispostion not known.  postcard image

Tee Pee Barbecue, roadside teepee diner, 5231 East Second St., Long Beach, CA; current disposition not known.  postcard image

Teepee Motel, wigwam accommodations; Wharton, TX, features eleven concrete wigwam cabins.  Del Parker has learned that the Teepee Motel was purchased at a tax auction on April 7th, 1998 by Lee and Debbie Van Winkle for $23,000.  Lee and Debbie have plans to restore the facility to its original splendor by the fall of 1998.  The property is currently in poor repair since it was last operated in the mid 1980's.   In addition to the restoration of the teepees, Lee and Debbie have plans for an RV park to accompany the motel.  To contact the Van Winkles about their plans, email them.  This site began its evolution as Belcher's Courts in 1937 (and later Tee Pee Courts) with original owners Toppie and George Belcher, but, at that time there were no teepees built.  In 1942 the teepees were added to meet the ever increasing national demand for wigwam accommodations.  As more information is released on this exciting renovation project, it will be posted. Postcard image courtesy of Lee and Debbie.  postcard image of exterior

Teepee Souvenir Shop (actual name not known), twin teepee souvenir shop; Cherokee, NC, current disposition not known - more information needed.  postcard image of exterior

Teepee Village and Trading Post, wigwam accommodations, steak house and gift shop; San Antonio, TX, 2-1/2 miles off Broadway on Austin Highway; "While there is a steer left in Texas, you will find part of it here".  postcard image of exterior

Tepee Trading Post, wigwam gift shop; route 9, 3 miles south of Lake George, NY; "The most unusual and distinctive highway gift shop in the north country...".  postcard image of exterior

The Hogan, gift shop, San Jacinto, CA; "Treasure Trove of All Things Indian"; more information needed.  postcard image of exterior

The TePee, souvenir and gift shop, Rte. 20, Cherry Valley, NY; original location was on old Rte. 20 which ran closer to Cherry Valley, NY; was rebuilt at a new location when Rte. 20 was rerouted; original proprietors were Ken and Iris Gurney; merchandise sold included Indiancraft, souvenirs, gifts and turquoise jewelry; still in operation, seasonally, with new owners Dee and Margaret Latella.  Click here for more info and photos.  postcard image of exterior

The TePee, roadside souvenir and gift shop, Pinnellas Park, FL; "Located just north of St. Petersburg on U.W. Highway 19", featuring Indian and Florida novelties and Indian Jewelry;  current disposition not known.  postcard image of exterior

The TePee, roadside souvenir and gift shop, Lander, WY; postcard image courtesy of Kathy;  current disposition not known.  postcard image of exterior

The Teepee, roadside landmark and possible navigation aid and rest spot for extra-terrestrials, Escondido, CA;  current disposition not known.  postcard image

The Teepees, restaurant and souvenir shop, 18 miles west of Denver,  in Golden, CO on Highway US 40, offered authenitic Indian crafts, gifts, curios, dinners, lunches and fountain service, dancing and cocktails; boasted the world's tallest teepees; photo postcard image courtesy of Western Roadside; current disposition not known.   postcard image of exterior - another exterior postcard image - photo postcard image of exterior - another photo postcard image of exterior

The Wigwam, roadside wigwam attraction, Atlanta, NE, current disposition not known - more information needed.  postcard image of exterior

The Wigwams, roadside multi-wigwam restaurant, Route 17, Jasper, NY, featured a restaurant, gas filling station and free museum; currently serves as the loccal Jasper Historical Museum (visited by Del Parker in July '99 - check out a recent image).  postcard image of exterior showing gas pumps

Thunderbird Tepee, tepee style souvenir shop, Highway 41, Dania, FL, current disposition not known - more information needed.  postcard image of exterior

Totem Pole, roadside curios, Manitou Springs, CO, "Home of Moonbeam" says the postcard, and "View the Mummified Indian"; not sure what the teepee structures were used for; current disposition not known - more information needed.  postcard image of exterior

Twin Tepees, teepee style souvenir shop, two different locations -   South Lake Tahoe, CA, and Mesa, AZ; current disposition of these two sites not known - more information needed.  postcard image of exterior

Wagon Wheel Lodge, roadsie teepee accomodations,  Jackson, WY, "Sleep in a Teepee", not sure how many teepees there were at this site - at least one; current disposition not known - more information needed.  postcard image of exterior

White City Tourist Camp, tourist cabins including tourist wigwams, Watkins Glen, NY; at the south entrance to Watkins Glen State Park; 52 cabins ranging in capacity from 2 to 4 people, capacity 250 people [check the math - something doesn't shake out here], B.F. Westlake, Manager; current disposition not known - more information needed.  postcard image

Wigwam Court, wigwam accommodations; Albuquerque, NM, more information needed.  postcard image of exterior

Wigwam Inn, wigwam accommodations, lunch stop and service station; Little Falls, MN, sign says "rap on door for service",  more information needed.  postcard image of exterior

Wigwam Courts, wigwam accommodations; Corsicana, TX, no longer standing, more information needed (1).

Wigwam Lodge & Trailer Court, wigwam accommodations; Tempe, AZ, featured two-story teepees, swimming pool, shuffleboard, trailer court and overnight wigwams with kitchenettes; today only three teepee structures remain standing, more information needed (1).  3 blocks from Arizona State University.  postcard image of exterior

Wigwam Restaurant, wigwam nourishment, Waldorf, MD "located about 16 miles from Washington, D.C. south out Branch One to Route 301"; current disposition not known - more information needed.  postcard image of exterior and interior

Wigwam Restaurant, restaurant and auto court, Richmond, VA "U.S. No. 1, 7 miles north of Richmond... favorably known from Maine to Florida"; Y2K update courtesy of Tracey Rogers - "The buildings still stand and so does the wigwam. Today the restaurant is an antique shop and the auto court has other small shops, mostly flea market/antique shops and the auto court office is a tattoo parlor."  pre-wigwam structure postcard image - postcard image of exterior - another postcard image

Wigwam Service Station, wigwam style service station, Weyauwega, WI; current disposition not known - more information needed; postcard image courtesy of Mike Pniewski.   postcard image of exterior

Wigwam Village No. 1, wigwam accommodations, 3 mi. east of Horse Cave, KY on Rte. 31-E; First of the Wigam Village tourist camps; Built and patented in 1937 by Frank A. Redford, owner and manager;  in 1933 the 15 teepee structures were added to the original Redford's Wigwam (4); advertised "an atmosphere of comfort, cleanliness and refinement.  A tile bath, radio, fan and heater for each sleeping wigwam.  Good food, service and management cause thousands each year to - TRAVEL THE WIGWAM WAY"; originally called "The Wigwam" (see second postcard image) with Frank Redford as Owner and A.L. Singletary as Proprietor; construction completed in 1935; razed in 1981 (2).  postcard image of exterior - early postard image of main wigwam and gas pumps

Wigwam Village No. 2, wigwam accommodations; 1 mi. north of Cave City, KY on Rte. 31-W; also built by Frank Redford (see description for Wigwam Village No. 1 above); construction completed in 1937 (4); currently in operation.   multiview postcard image of sleeping room interior and Wigwam Village No. 1 & 2 exteriors  - postcard image of sleeping room - postcard image of wigwam lunchroom - postcard aerial view - web link - another web link - photo link

Wigwam Village No. 3, wigwam accommodations, 5 miles from downtown New Orleans, LA on U.S. highways 51, 61 and 71; facilities included wigwam sleeping units, a restaurant and cocktail lounge, Esso service station, and, souvenir sales; went out of business in 1954 (2); current disposition not known; more information needed.  postcard image of exterior/interior

Wigwam Village No. 4, wigwam accommodations; Orlando, FL, at the confluence of routes US 441, US 17 and US 92; Thirty-one modern Teepees with accomodations for parties of 1, 2, 3 or 4 people.  Modern grille, gift shop and auto service on the grounds.  A tile bath, radio, ceiling fan and heater for each Sleeping Wigwam; razed in 1974 (2); more information needed; postcard image of restaurant interior courtesy of Western Roadside.  postcard image of a wigwam exterior - postcard image of wigwam interior - postcard image of restaurant interior - aerial view postcard image - another exterior view

Wigwam Village No. 5, wigwam accommodations; Bessemer, AL, US 11, four miles south of Birmingham, AL.  Insulated Indian Wigwams.   Each with complete bath, solid hickory furnture, hot and cold running water.   In the heart of the iron and steel district; went out of business in 1964 (2); more information needed.  multiview postcard image of wigwams and sleeping room interior

Wigwam Village No. 6 or Wigwam Village Motel, wigwam accommodations, Holbrook, AZ, currently in operation and managed by Elinor, Paul and Clifton Lewis.   This facility first opened June 1, 1950 and was constructed with plans prepared by Frank Redford .  It remained open until 1974, and then later reopened after renovations in 1988.  Originally called Wigwam Village No. 6, this site consists of 15 individual wigwams situated in a rectangular pattern behind an office.  The wigwams are approximately 25 feet high and 20 feet in diameter at the base.  postcard image courtesy of Elinor and Clifton Lewis.  visit their web site - image link - multiview postcard image of two sleeping room interiors and an aerial view - web link

Wigwam Village No. 7, wigwam accommodations; Rialto, CA, on old route 66, last franchise in Frank Redford's Wigwam Village chain, and acutally built by Frank Redford(1), postcard image courtesy of DinerDon.  Currently being remodeled? (3)large postcard image of sleeping room and bathroom interior

Worlds Largest Tepee, wigwam attraction; in the Black Hills of South Dakota, on route 16, postcard image courtesy of Laurel.  postcard image of exterior