Slice of Americana
Iconic Wigwam Village motel near Mammoth Cave, Kentucky is one of three remaining
One of the coolest places to stay while traveling has to be Wigwam Village Inn #2 in Cave City, built in 1937.
The dream of Frank A. Redford, the original Wigwam Village #1 was constructed in 1935 in Horse Cave, Kentucky. Seven more were built across the nation in Alabama, Florida, New Orleans, California, and Arizona.
The teepee-like motels were mistakingly called wigwams, but the name stuck. Today, only three remain: #2 in Cave City, Kentucky, #6 in Holbrook, Arizona and #7 in Riallto, California.
Wigwam Village #2 is a Historic Landmark (Kentucky Heritage Council) and is also listed on the Kentucky and National Register of Historic Places.
“The kids love this place because they like to sleep in the teepees,” says Sahidur Mir, manager of Wigwam Village Inn #2 for the past 13 years.
“We have more people staying here from Europe than anywhere. They want to see the landscape of American history.” He says there are several groups from Kentucky who come every year. “One group has been coming every year for 28 years.”
A 52-foot teepee has a gift shop and office, and 15 smaller teepee rooms sit in a semi-circle with “two firepits, a playground, misting deck, a picnic area with large grills and a covered pavilion in the center,” says Mir.
Open year-round, each room has a bathroom and shower, cable TV, coffee maker and air conditioner. Five teepees have two beds and sleep two adults and two kids, and 10 teepees have single beds. Mir says, “Prices are economical for families—$55-$80 a night, depending upon the season.”
Wigwam Village
601 N. Dixie Highway
Cave City, KY 421727
(270) 773-3381
