SoCal Landmarks

SoCal Landmarks

A Photography Project

Wigwam Motel, Rialto, San Bernardino County

Wigwam Motel

The Wigwam Motel in Rialto is one of two remaining “villages” along historic Route 66 (a third is in Kentucky). Designed and built by Frank A Redford in the 1930s and 1940s, there were originally seven “Tipi” villages located from Florida to California. This motel, the seventh and last one built between 1947 and 1949, is on the border of the two cities of Rialto and San Bernardino. The Wigwam Motel was renovated between 2003 and 2005, and the current owners were awarded the National Historic Route 66 Federation’s 2005 Cyrus Avery Award for outstanding preservation projects. All three remaining motels are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Click any thumbnail to open the image gallery

Rialto, San Bernardino County
Photographer: Al Russell

Photographer: Lonny Ross