About
Sitting on the side of historic Route 66 is one of the few remaining Wigwam Motels.
An iconic
Disney's "CARS" references this hotel -- a historic spot along Route 66. Built in the '20's and still operating today!
Frank Redford built this complex for himself in 1947–49 and not as a franchise. The address of the motel is Rialto, California, but the motel is physically located in San Bernardino. It is on the boundary between the two cities on historic Route 66, with an address of 2728 West Foothill Boulevard, Rialto, California.[11]
Unlike the one arch of wigwams in other surviving villages, Village #7 has a double row of wigwam guest rooms. They total 19 in number, as well as a base for what seems to be another never-completed wigwam in the back of the property. A central building is currently used as an office, with a lobby that is open 24 hours a day. There is also a swimming pool, a large grass front and palm trees surround the property.
The property had become very run down and rooms were rented by the hour, aggravated by a sign advertising "Do it in a tipi" that is still on site in the back.[12] The complex underwent renovation, for which the National Historic Route 66 Federation awarded the Cyrus Avery Award in 2005.[13][14] Attention to detail was the main focus during renovation, as the wigwams lost their zigzag pattern.
Since 2012, the motel has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [15][11]
