Wigwam Village No. 7
Also known as: Wigwam Motel
Why it's listed
Wigwam Village No. 7, now operating as the Wigwam Motel, sits along Foothill Boulevard in San Bernardino, a segment of historic U.S. Highway 66. Built between 1947 and 1949 and opened in 1950, it was the last of seven Wigwam Villages designed by Frank A. Redford. Nineteen conical sleeping units, each about 32 feet tall and built of wooden ribs covered in plaster and concrete, are arranged in two semicircles around a central yard with a pool, fire pit, and an office and apartment unit. The complex matters for two reasons. It provided lodging for the surge of automobile tourists after World War II, and its teepee-shaped buildings are a clear example of programmatic roadside architecture meant to catch the eye of passing drivers. Only two other Wigwam Villages survive, in Kentucky and Arizona. A renovation from 2003 to 2005 restored a more historic color scheme while keeping the overall character intact.
Significance in brief: It is argued to be significant under Criterion A (Commerce) as travel accommodation built in response to post-World War II automobile tourism on U.S. Highway 66. Under Criterion C (Architecture) it is a distinctive example of programmatic roadside architecture meant to catch the attention of high-speed motorists. It is one of only three surviving Wigwam Villages of the seven built, and embodies Redford's patented design and product-place-packaging approach.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 11000957, listed January 3, 2012. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2728 Foothill Blvd., San Bernardino |
|---|---|
| County | San Bernardino County |
| Listed | January 3, 2012 |
| Reference number | 11000957 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1950-1958 |
| Architect / builder | Redford, Frank A. |
| Architectural style | OTHER: Programmatic |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Renovated between 2003 and 2005 and still operating as the Wigwam Motel, with minor loss of integrity from replaced doors, some windows and light posts. |
| Coordinates | 34.10746, -117.34922 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 11000957.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.