Frank a Redford (1899-1957) built the first Wigwam Motel in 1935 on U.S. Highway 31 West, right outside of Horse Cave, Kentucky. It was based on the “Tee Pee Barbecue” structure he observed in Long Beach, California. Wigwam No. 2 was built just seven miles down the road in Cave City, Kentucky in 1937.
Highway 31 West was paved in 1931 and in 1941 mammoth Cave was made a National Park.
Redford franchised his motel concept building Wigwam No.3 in New Orleans in 1940, Wigwam No. 5 near Montgomery, Alabama in 1940, and Wigwam No. 4 in Orlando, Florida in 1948.
In 1950, Wigwam No. 6 was built in Holbrook, Arizona, and in that same year, the last of the Wigwam franchises was built near San Berardino, California, No.7.
Only Wigwam Nos. 2, 6 and 7, still exist. Wigwam No.1 was torn down in 1982 after Interstate Highway 65 was built through the area in the late 1960s.
Around 2022, Keith Stone and Megan Smith bought Wigwam No. 2 and have been restoring it to its original condition.
Go on over and spend an evening in history.
Cheryl and I did!
Here is video of our sta.! just click on the picture or link below!
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1 Comment
David J Clement
September 22, 2025 at 11:06 amI remember seeing a set of these on 31E just outside of Horse Cave. They’re now gone but the locals still trade at “The Wig Wam Store”: gas station with a good breakfast and sandwich restaurant inside.