Bob Neuman and David Ruether
Trip to the South Western US
May - June 2005
WIGWAM MOTEL
(Holbrook, Arizona)
When we discovered that this artifact of the 1950s was on our route (on the old Route 66, no less…!), we cancelled our "modern" motel and booked this one (with many concrete "wigwams"). It met our expectations, and more (for David…). It was run as old motels were, and we were allowed (encouraged) to look at the room first, then return to the office to pay for it (just as in the "old" days). The furniture had a 40s hand-made look about it (wicker and hand-hewn wood), and was comfortable. There was a small writing desk and chair, and larger chair out of view on the right, near the single small window (photo 2). The small table by the bed appeared to have a Formica top, with a chrome edge (but the top bubbled a bit when wet - David hopes he didn't permanently damage it). The room was adequately large - but David was surprised to find that it had a flat ceiling. The bathroom had one interesting artifact resulting from the sloping walls: the mirror was placed above eye level, facing down at an angle (the view showed how you would look to a very tall person standing very near you…). It was interesting to see how the rectangular openings for the window, air-conditioner, and door were successfully worked into the conical wigwam shape. In the office was a small museum with many historical items and some incredible, enormous slabs of polished petrified wood, with many brilliant colors. Several 50's cars were placed around the property as if they belonged to overnight guests. Trains passed behind the motel about every 15 minutes, but they did not affect sleep. This was one of David's top 2 or 3 favorite overnight locations on the trip.
(Photos were
taken by Bob Neuman and edited and adjusted by David Ruether)
(All photographs Copyright 2005 Robert Neuman)