Flippin' Our Wig (Wam): The Charles Phoenix Wig Wam Pow Wow

Many times have we hailed the weird, roadside wonder of San Bernardino, CA's magnificent Wigwam Motel (est. 1949).  From road trip adventures, to birthday parties, to holiday wigwam lightings, we have become regulars amongst the teepee set.  Last weekend we were heap happy to attend the Charles Phoenix Wig Wam Pow Wow at what is quickly becoming our home away from home.

The whole lot was filled with classic cars, vintage trailers, and roadside enthusiasts.

We weren't there as spectators alone; we set up a pop-up hat shop in one of the Wigwam Motel rooms.

Charles, Mary, Zack, Fabian, and Mr. Tiny

After seeing some of the hats I had made for Mary, Charles kindly asked if I could bring
enough hats to sell.  Quarters inside the well-appointed wigwam were a little tight with all
of those hats but it made for a cozy (and blessedly active) selling space!

One of our pals, Cherie, was on hand and became one of the first people to
Put A Lid On It!  We were thrilled to see her (and her awesome, homemade Route
66 dress) before she leaves us for the more verdant environs of Portland, OR.

While I did take a break to dance along to some of my favorite tunes (ahem, "Mashed Potato Time") spun by the killer DJ, I spent most of the afternoon inside the wigwam hocking my wares.  Although, I have been assured that the event was chockablock with the most enjoyable activities, from showing off cars and trailers, to swimming, to weenie roasting, to s'mores toasting, to fireside sing-a-longs.

Two poolside fashion shows, hosted by Dave and Sabino of
Clever Vintage Clothing, were filled with spectacular ensembles.
They were even nice enough to include one of my sun hats!!! 

If I was a more ruthless kind of a person and capable of making a quick getaway, there were plenty of cars for which I would have gladly ditched all of those hats and started my life of crime - beginning with grand theft auto!

The cars were great but the real show-stopper was our friend's completely-
restored 1957 Airfloat trailer in gleaming gold!  I was so awestruck that
I only captured a peek through one of the porthole windows. 

Brian Potvin, the master "Ballusionist," created a
wigwam out of balloons and set it afloat in the pool!

The main event began at sundown; we were lucky enough to be a part of it!
Tiny & Mary opened the show for the incredible troupe from the Bob Baker 
Marionette Theater  and the always-enthralling Charles Phoenix Big Retro Slideshow!  

You might recognize some of those puppets from their big-screen 
appearance in Walt Disney's Escape to Witch Mountain (1975).

Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)

If you can't escape to Witch Mountain, be sure and make the escape to the Wigwam Motel - to sleep-ee and to peepee in a teepee are most underrated and completely unparalleled experiences!  We would be remiss if we failed to acknowledge the graciousness of the owner and conservator of this irreplaceable landmark, Kumar Patel.  He and his family have committed themselves to not just their own motel, not just their own city, but to the entire Route 66 community and to the lovers of all things wacky tacky!  A big thank you to our inimitable host and emcee, Charles, for including us in this very special celebration!

Wigwam Motel
2728 W Foothill Blvd
San Bernardino, CA
(909)875-3005

wigwammotel.com


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

* The day has finally come!!!  Put A Lid On It Sun Hats are now available for purchase in our Etsy store, Mr. Tiny's South Side Market.  We will continue to bring you new designs, new colors, and new hat inspiration on a regular basis!!!

Sew What?! Putting the "WOW" in Pow Wow!!!

Yipes!!!  Two weeks sure flies by when you are not having any fun.  Okay, okay, I had a little bit of fun but mostly my head was down, toiling away at my latest hat-making venture and preparing for the Tiny & Mary performance at the Charles Phoenix Wig Wam Pow Wow (much more on that to come).

I was flattered when Charles asked me to bring as many hats as I could muster to sell at what is sure to become a signature event for him.  Depending on Mary to be a walking advertisement for my pop-up hat shop, I had every intention of making her some thematically-appropriate headwear - and leaving the rest of her outfit in her hands.  Oh, the best laid plans...

The custom TeePee Topper!
Inspired by the paint scheme of the earliest Wig Wam Motels, I recreated the iconic
serpentine stripe with red ric rac.  I painted dowels for the tent poles and gathered a
Marimekko remnant as a stand-in for the planter that surrounds each wigwam motel room.

Unfortunately, when one makes such a specific accessory, the fundamental elements of a coordinating ensemble are somewhat elusive.

Digging through the fabric stash, I was surprised to discover just two
scant yards of a Native American novelty print, featuring, flowers,
teepees, horses, and warrior braves.

Completely unaware of the fabric's origin, I almost sent it back to the bottom of fabric mountain for its lack of sophistication and unrefined design.  However, if lack of refinement and sophistication immediately consign one to the bottom of the heap, I would never be allowed in polite society.  Denying the natural hypocrite within me, I intended to make the most of this fabric.

This is much more indicative of what my sketch pad looks
like than some of the other illustrations I've shared.  A small
amount of time and a small amount of fabric meant that the
outfit would need to be equally brief.  Weary of making bra
tops, I made a simple play suit consisting of a cropped peasant
top and a short, gathered skirt; I used every inch of that material!

Accessorized with just a few red bangles and a '68 Cadillac Coupe de Ville,
Mary and Fabian took the outfit and the car out for a spin!

I guess we won't be winning any awards for cultural sensitivity with this one, but we consider the outfit and the Wigwam Motel to be true celebrations of Americana!  Have you ever slept in a wigwam?


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny


p.s. Put A Lid On It Sun Hats from Mr. Tiny's Workshop will be listed soon!

"HOW" Do You Say Christmas: A Holiday Wigwam Lighting & Donut Exchange

As many times as I visit San Bernardino, CA's legendary Wigwam Motel, the Route 66 icon never ceases to inspire wonder and joy; and really, are there any more fitting emotions for this most wondrous and joyful time of year?  Whether a road-trip stop, a pow-wow birthday, or a holiday festivity, the Wigwam Motel is an ideal setting for any occasion. 

This past weekend we were hosted by the Wigwam Motel and Charles Phoenix for the first-ever Wigwam Holiday Lighting & Donut Exchange.  Every year, I try to get more people in my life to forgo the tradition of gift giving and instead participate more fully in the season - donating time, caroling, looking at Christmas lights, etc. - and boy, did this event fit the bill.

Thanks to our pal Fabian of Chopit Kustoms, our ride for the evening
was his '55 Buick.  All decked out for Christmas, it looked right at
home amongst the wigwams.
(photo by Fabian)

Guess who was forced to sit in the backseat?

Mr. Tiny, Charles, and our pal, Cherie, who incidentally made the most-
delicious, vegan donuts (pistachio and peppermint).  As is the case in most
photos of me, my eyes were closed so Fabian photoshopped in some googly eyes.
(photo by Fabian)

The wigwam lighting itself was the centerpiece of an event filled with sing-a-longs (my favorite was The Carpenter's "Merry Christmas, Darling") and mountains of donuts (I failed to get a picture of the donut box tower).  Even the wattage of all those bulbs did nothing to stave off the frosty temperatures.

Leave it to the minds of Charles Phoenix and the
Wigwam Motel to create a Christmas tree out of stucco teepee.

In spite of the cold, there was a warm and wonderful turnout.  Hopefully, this is just the first in a new holiday tradition that is certain to get bigger and better with each holiday season.  Wouldn't you love to see all the wigwams lit, flashing in time with a holiday soundtrack?

The group photo
(photo via Charles Phoenix Facebook page)

Thanks to Charles and The Wigwam Motel for helping us get in the holiday spirit!  If you are ever in San Bernardino, be sure to stay in a wigwam!

Wigwam Motel

2728 W Foothill Blvd

San Bernardino, CA

(909)875-3005

www.wigwammotel.com


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Birthday Pow Wow at The Wigwam!

(photo by Wigwam Route)

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you're sure to have realized that wacky tacky is defined in large measure by the reckless ingenuity of 20th-Century America.  From roadside architecture to flagpole sitting to marshmallow creme, industrialized America used its unique blend of innovative spirit, disposable time/income and constitutional freedom to create a trail of googie glory of from sea to shining sea.  The Wigwam Motel (est. 1949) in San Bernardino, CA is my "amber waves of grain" and it's enough to have me weeping through a spirited rendition of "America the Beautiful," or at least "This Land is Your Land."  You might remember that we have featured the Wigwam Motel in a previous blog post but when our friend Benny told us that he was planning his birthday party there, we decided that any time is a fine time to go sleep-y in a tee pee.  We briefly questioned our decision as on our drive out to the party the freeway traffic headed inland was disturbingly light.  Glancing across to the other side of the road, miles and miles of cars were backed up in their desperate race to the coast and cooler climes. 

Jennifer & Birthday Boy Benny

Our group filled every available wigwam and
anybody who had a vintage auto was obliged to motor in. 

Benny's ride

The festivities began with a no-holds-barred game of netless, vigilante volleyball.  It was a veritable version of the old west where rules were made on the spot but were really made to be broken.  I'm still not sure who won because every player proclaimed him/herself a victor.

It looks pretty tame but photos cannot convey the
cheap shots, gnashing of teeth and trash-talking. 

Mary enjoying the sunshine - it was over 110 degrees by 11 o'clock in the morning!

As the sun slowly sank over the peaks of the wigwams, the
temperature dropped and the party really got started.

A smorgasbord of party foods, grilled favorites and German-style veggies was laid out and "cleaned up" just as quickly.  Swimmers kept right on swimming and music wafted over the grounds of The Wigwam.  Fortunately, the motel's slightly-industrial surroundings allowed for all-night revelry and and our party didn't seem to disturb the neighbors.

The Legend with his jar of store-bought moonshine?

The amazing Miss Monica Marie -
genuinely nice and a swell dancer!

Ashley & Eva in a "candid" photo

With so many well-dressed attendees, one found wonderful clothing at every turn.  I got just a couple shots of some fashion accessory do's.


      Mary & Eva's matching, tooled-leather sandals                     Jeff's pow wow-perfect necktie

Dancing lasted late into the night/early in the morning.  For the first (and probably only) time in my life I didn't go to sleep until 5 o'clock in the morning.  It has probably become glaringly-apparent to readers and anyone who has met me but to state the obvious, I am SQUARE.  I am like an eighty eight-year-old man;  I like to have dinner around 4:30 and most nights I am contentedly snoring by 9 o'clock.  But a party is a pow wow and I didn't want to be the first brave back in his wigwam!

                 Sergio & Linda "Queen of the Mambo"                    Richard & Kitty

Mary takes a lesson

Why is it that on work days I have to drag myself out of bed but on mornings when I have every right and reason to sleep in, I wake up bright and early?  Even after dancing all night, I awoke with the sun.  I blame a pitiless, internal alarm clock and the neighborhood roosters - seriously.

You are now rethinking your very harsh judgment of San Bernardino
and planning your wigwam retreat aren't you?  Aren't you?

When we left, the thermometer reading was 115.  As we made our way home, there was a nearly-40 degree drop in temperature; we're thankful for wigwams with air conditioning but even more grateful for ocean breezes.  Thanks Benny for getting the gang together for a heap-good party!

Wigwam Motel #7

2728 W. Foothill Blvd.

San Bernardino, CA

(909)875-3005

wigwammotel.com

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

p.s. There is a little contraversy as to the exact location of the Wigwam Motel.  The motel's website lists a San Bernardino address but many books and websites site Rialto as the home of the motel.  Rest assured, if you ever find yourself on Foothill Blvd in Rialto/San Bernardino, you will not get lost; the Wigwam Motel will be the ONLY motel made of giant teepees.

Invading Indian Territory: The Wigwam Village Motels

Hi-how-are-ya! Hi-how-are-ya! Hi-how-are-ya!  When was the last time you immersed yourself fully in the indigenous culture of your country?  When last did you slough off the cares of our modern, workaday world for the purposes of cultural appreciation and personal enrichment?  I am always open to a spiritual awakening - an opportunity to open my heart and mind.  I embrace the chance to really "walk a mile in another man's moccasins," as it were.  In search of such an experience, I sought out, nay, I was called to the Wigwam Villages of San Bernardino, CA and Holbrook, AZ.  The Wigwam Villages were the vision of  Frank Redford, a Kentucky native, who built his first wigwam in 1933 to capitalize on his collection of Native American artifacts.  What started out as a roadside attraction dedicated to Indian culture soon turned into a motel concept and The Wigwam Village Motel was born.  In total, seven Wigwam Villages were built from Kentucky to California.  For the purposes of this blog post, we will be using the terms "wigwam" and "teepee" interchangeably - just to keep it authentic!

Wigwam Village Motel #7 - "Do it in a Tee Pee!"

Wigwam Village #7 (est.1949) in San Bernardino, CA is a veritable diamond in the rough.  This is not a stale cliche - "rough" is an accurate description of the surrounding area.  My mother's people are from San Bernardino; I can remember the dreamy days we spent with my great-grandmother and great-aunt in their turn-of-the-Century, San Bernardino homes.  The area, while decidedly working class, felt old-timey and safe. Unfortunately, the last few decades have been less than kind to San Bernardino.  Yet, somehow, it felt good to be there - especially in a teepee!

The Happy Hunting Ground

In Indian territory

The wigwam

The interior did not fulfill my dreams of peace pipes and smoke signals.
In fact, the furnishings did not speak to Native American heritage at all.

Rating: ^^^^^^^^^ (9 wigwams) - The facilities are well-maintained and the staff is very courteous and seemed genuinely happy to have us.  They allowed us early check-in, gave us recommendations for places to eat and even took our photo and added it to their Facebook page!  A one-wigwam deduction was taken for the boring, standard motel furnishings.

Wigwam Village Motel #6 - "Have you slept in a Wigwam Lately?"

Wigwam Village #6 in Holbrook, AZ was built in 1942 by Charles Lewis as a wigwam franchise.  According to the motel website, the payments to Frank Redford as franchise fees consisted of the dimes collected from the pay-radios installed in each teepee!  We liked the exterior of these wigwams better than the San Bernardino location as they look like the picture postcards from the 40's.

A teepee-cal teepee

Vintage automobiles enhanced the motel's Route 66 credibility and character.

The custom, metal benches outside the teepees were a reminder of  our  path.

King of the castle teepee!

We were happy to learn that the room's furnishings, including the quirky,

 bedside lamp and desk/vanity were all original.

Native American Art

The room was surprisingly roomy - enough for two beds.

My biggest complaint was the distracting, southwestern bedding!

Wigwams by day...

...and wigwams by night...

Rating: ^^^^^^^^^ (9 wigwams) - It is hard not to give a perfect 10 to a motel that has operated for nearly 70 years by maintaining the look and feel of true, vintage-American roadside/Route 66 history.  Really, who doesn't want to sleep in a wigwam?  A single wigwam deduction was given for a less-than-immaculate bathroom, proximity to the bustling railroad tracks (all-night freight trains) and those terrible, I mean terrible, bedspreads.  The staff was accommodating, the sleeping quarters were tidy (bonus point for the original art/furniture), the exterior of the wigwams were well-maintained and the vintage cars added greatly to the atmosphere.

Wigwam Village numbers 6 and 7 are independently owned and share only a common history.  Beyond the San Bernardino and Holbrook motels, there is only one other remaining Wigwam Village.  Wigwam Village #2 is located in Cave City, KY which means just one thing - we'll be seeing you in Kentucky for another authentically-Native American experience.  How!!!

Wigwam Village #6

811 West Hopi Dr.

Holbrook, AZ

(928)524-3048

galerie-kokopelli.com/wigwam

Wigwam Village #7

2728 W. Foothill Blvd.

San Bernardino, CA

(909)875-3005

wigwammotel.com

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny