R.I.P. Summit Inn: Cajon Pass Fire Destroys a Route 66 Landmark

I was heartbroken to see tonight that the devastating fire in the Cajon Pass has completely burned down the Summit Inn, a Route 66 landmark that fed travelers for generations.

We were just at the Summit Inn this March, as we traveled on Route 66 to Arizona, on the way to the Grand Canyon. We stopped for lunch, and although the food was pretty average, the history and experience was well worth the stop. (Why would you ever stop at a fast food chain if you have the opportunity to actually take in some local color?) The service was great, the staff friendly. And the restaurant was covered with Route 66 memorabilia, as well as trinkets detailing the history of the Summit Inn. Sadly, that's all gone now.

Meanwhile, the "Blue Cut" fire has destroyed countless homes, and forced 80,000 residents to flee. The 15 freeway is shut down in the Cajon Pass, cutting off the main freeway between L.A. and Las Vegas.

Here are a few pics I snapped while dining at the Summit Inn:

An Evening at the Wigwam Motel on Route 66

Chris Nichols did it again. The Los Angeles magazine staffer (and man behind its popular column "Ask Chris") throws an elaborate event each year for his birthday, usually incorporating L.A. history, landmarks and a dose of kitsch. And this year he outdid himself by throwing "TV Jamboree," a 1950s-style TV revue (think Spade Cooley, Bandstand Revue or Dixie Showboat) at the famed Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino.

Among the performers: Charles Phoenix (singing "You're Just Too Good To Be True" in an Indian head dress, in honor of the Wig Wam), a Hurdy Gurdy duo, a Stan Chambers impersonator, and -- in the flesh -- Tom Hatten, the host of The Popeye Show on KTLA for three decades.

As for the Wigwam, even histo-entertainer Phoenix admitted that despite his many trips down Route 66, he hadn't stopped to check out the Wigwam until Saturday night. The legendary motel consists of rooms designed to look like teepees. Some history from the Wigwam's site:

The California Wigwam Motel was built within the city limits of San Bernardino in 1949, a period when citrus groves flourished. The motel would later acquire a Rialto postal address, creating confusions as the property actually sits in San Bernardino. The motel's village-style arrangement of nineteen 30-foot-tall tepees made from wood framing, concrete and stuco draws much admiration from all generations. Each individual wigwam is carefully equipped with all the traveler's essentials with grounds that includes of grass area, an outdoor barbecue grill and kidney-shaped swimming pool.

The mastermind behind this retro motel was a clever man by the name of Frank Redford, who was heavily influenced by the native Indian culture. He would bring his imagination to a reality in the early 1930s explained in the following section.

A total of only seven Wigwam Motels were built throughout the nation, of which three managed to remain preserved. Two of the last three remaining rest along historic Route 66 in the states of Arizona and California, while the other rests in Redford's home state of Kentucky.

Photos from the Wigwam:


Wood carving invites motorists in.


old tractor.


The sun sets.


More sunset over the Wigwams and Route 66.


Friend of Franklin Avenue, Ellen Bloom.


Charles Phoenix croons.


Tom Hatten draws Popeye for the grown-up boys and girls.


The entire cast of "TV Jamboree."

More Kicks on Route 66 This Weekend

The Location Managers Guild of America, which brings together location pros from the film biz, continues its series of walks up and down the historic Route 66 this Sunday.

On Aug. 23, the march continues from Union Station to South Pasadena. The walk includes a trek through Chinatown and Highland Park, and starts at 8 a.m.

The general public is welcome to join in -- head over to Route 66 On the Road Again for more details.

Get Your Soda Fix On Route 66

During our recent trip to Oklahoma, the Franklin Avenue crew checked out a brand new Route 66 landmark: POPS, an unusual restaurant/convenience store/soda farm/gas station hybrid.

Located in Arcadia, near Oklahoma City, the new attraction is the talk of Route 66 fans (who aren't used to new roadside spots on the storied road), and appears to be consistently packed.

Outside, The futuristic building features a massive 66 ft. soda bottle, which lights up at night in neon colors.



Inside, hundreds of soda bottles line the walls, while refrigerated cases boast tons of exotic sodas from the U.S. and abroad. (It's a collection that rivals our own Galco's Soda Pop Stop, but in a much more modern setting.)



We didn't bother trying to eat there; the wait for a table was long. We also didn't pump any gas. But we did buy a ton of soda. (Which, sadly, we left at my parents' house.) I was intrigued by a natural banana soda, and a honey root beer, among others.



Above, the soda fountain even featured Dublin Dr. Pepper-- the version of Dr. Pepper that is still made with sugar cane.

POPS is northeast of Oklahoma City, just east of Edmond.
660 W. Highway 66, Arcadia, OK 73007