The iconic Wigwam Village Motel on South Orange Blossom Trail was built by Orlando Builder Jerry Kinsley. Each wigwam had a bedroom and bathroom. It was built using metal lath, then sprayed stucco.
Photos courtesy of the Kinsley Archives.
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I remember this motel on the south Trail from the 1960’s. I was fascinated by it as most five and six year olds would be. It was on the way to my Grandma’s (from Altamonte Springs). I asked my mom if she had stayed there before and indeed she had. Such an iconic site- everyone seemed to know it back then! I don’t remember when it was torn down but it definitely created a different landscape. I have such wonderful memories of Orlando from the 60’s to the late 70’s- when progress became ridiculous!
Greetings Angie! Thank you for visiting the Orlando Memory post on the Wigwam Village Motel. I was much older than you when I first saw the Wigwam Village, but just as fascinated! I passed on my way to work and back each day for several months before it was demolished in 1973. We hope you find other posts that bring back happy memories of the 1960s and 1970s and your Orlando memories with everyone! THE ORLANDO MEMORY TEAM
Wigwam village motel was ran by my mother, Alma Binkley. It’s sad that know one knew about her. She was a bad ass, she was color blind when it came to peoples. Everyone was welcomed. Most of the motel on OBT wouldn’t let African Americans stay or eat in their motels, but not my mom she loved to feeding people.
I love your post!
I was only 4 years old when we moved to Orlando from Chicago. I remember this motel vividly… it and Lake Eola were my first memories of coming to Orlando. Miss pre-Disney Orlando.
Me too!! We moved here in 1973, from, you guessed it!! Chicago!!
I miss the past off this wonderful town before Disney World.
I didn’t know about this. Must have been an amazing sight to see.