Alexandra HardleArizona Republic
Both locals and tourists might know the historical Wigwam hotel for its desert Western feel or ritzy golf courses in the heart of Litchfield Park.
But Wigwam wasn't always how it is today.
Paul W. Litchfield, an executive at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio, came out to Arizona to grow cotton in 1916. At the time, cotton was used in tires to make them more puncture-proof, said Judy Cook, archivist at the P.W. Litchfield Heritage Museum.
Two company towns were established where cotton was grown: Goodyear Ranch was located in what is now near downtown Chandler in the East Valley, while Litchfield Ranch was located in the West Valley. A few years later, Marinette Ranch was established near the Sun City area, Cook said.
At the time, it took nearly a day to travel from Phoenix to Litchfield Ranch, so executives from Goodyear Tire and Rubber needed a place to stay. An organizational house was built in 1918 to accommodate six people, Cook said. Litchfield Park adopted its name in 1926, although it wouldn't be incorporated as a city until 1987.
But between 1918 and 1929, the organizational house was expanded to add more buildings to accommodate more people. On Thanksgiving Day in 1929, it opened to the public as the Wigwam. The organizational house turned in the Fireside Room and looks nearly identical today, Cook said.
Opening just after the 1929 stock market crash, Arizona was viewed as an exotic place where people could escape for the winter, with many staying at the Wigwam for several weeks at a time. People were also drawn to the feeling of it being west, with many participating in activities like horseback riding.
"It was kind of like an early dude ranch," Cook said.
In the early 1930s, the Wigwam started to expand with a golf course and swimming pool. It became a more recreational area, hosting dances for local colleges and universities.
When World War II came, Paul Litchfield volunteered to help with the war effort, and a training facility called Goodyear Aircraft was built at the southern end of Litchfield Road. Young pilots came from China to train at the facility, and Litchfield shut down the Wigwam so they would have a place to stay.
After the war, the optimism of the time was reflected in the Wigwam. The period between 1951 and 1986 was the Wigwam's "golden years," Cook said.
The Wigwam was a safe place for families to come, and its golf course became one of the best in the world. There were also other recreational activities people could enjoy, such as archery and croquet.
Over the years, the rest of Litchfield Park continued to grow and expand beyond a company town. It became similar to how it is known today during the late 1960's, Cook said.
In 1986, Sir James Goldsmith acquired a large stake in for Goodyear Tire and Rubber in an attempted corporate raid. The company eventually bought him out and became cash poor as a result. It was essentially forced to sell some of its assets, including all of the land in Arizona, resulting in Goodyear leaving the state entirely.
The Wigwam and the rest of the property was purchased in 1987 by SunCor Development Co., a subsidiary of Arizona Public Service's parent Pinnacle West Capital Corp., for $221 million, and then again by Kabuto Arizona Properties LLC for $70 million in 1990.
The Wigwam underwent many changes under Kabuto. The resort was open year-round for the first time in its history, as it had previously only been open during the winter. The resort was also expanded and modernized by Kabuto, Cook said.
In 2009, the Wigwam was purchased for $7 million by Scottsdale-based JDM Partners LLC, which has been involved in developments all over the Valley, such as Chase Field and Arizona Federal Theatre.
And although the West Valley has since vastly expanded, Katy Powers, managing director at the Wigwam, said the area is still a place people come when they want to get away from city life.
The Wigwam now hosts a lot more people than just Goodyear Rubber and Tire executives. People might come from Phoenix for a staycation or to use the golf courses. The resort also has 100,000 square feet of meeting space, attracting businesses.
Although the Wigwam is undergoing $20 million in renovations, Powers said it's important that it doesn't lose its historical charm. At the same time, guests want the resort to have a modern feel with modern amenities. The renovations will soon be finished, with only a handful remaining to be renovated.
The Wigwam remains the center of Litchfield Park, hosting several events each year, such as a tree lighting and Oktoberfest, which is in partnership with the city.
"We really see ourselves as the center of this community and a pillar of the community, so we really draw a lot of people from right around the area," Powers said.
Reach the reporter atahardle@gannett.comor by phone at 480-259-8545. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter:@AlexandraHardle.
