Post #555306 by Sabu The Coconut Boy on Tue, Sep 21, 2010 11:05 PM

I was able to dig up some more info on the Wonder Lodge. The reason for the odd name was that it was part of a chain of three "Wonder Lodges". It just happened that this one was built with a Polynesian theme. They just kept the Wonder Lodge name to be consistent.

The Wonder Lodge opened June 24, 1961. The newspaper story below has some of the most detailed descriptions of the interior of a Polynesian restaurant that I have ever read:

"The South Sea Islands, which began influencing residential and commercial construction design in Bakersfield several years ago, inspire the most complete and expansive local treatment In the swank new Wonder Lodge now open at 333 Union Ave.

Bakersfield, cradle of the motel idea which gained national momentum years ago, will fully appreciate this hospitable "island" set down in its midst for the accommodation of the motoring public as well as local use.

Some 600 civic and social leaders Invited to an "open house" cocktail party Friday night will find a South Sea Island facsimile in atmosphere from its pier-like motor court topped with gas-lighted torchieres, to its lagoonlike swimming pool of sparkling , blue, rimmed with a sunset backdrop of full-grown dracena palms-Colors of coral, aqua, sandalwood, papaya yellow and sand predominate In the room-balcony flaggings overlooking the pool. The same colors are used extensively indoors, reinforced with all the drama of native life appurtenances from canoes to birdcages.

Enchanted Isle
Architect-designer Lee Linton envisaged the more than million dollar establishment as an enchanted isle which indeed It will seem to motorists dropping in off 99 Freeway. The architect has used cement block to suggest island cragginess, and he has surrounded the office, lobby and 24-hour coffee shop with its own lagoon to be populated with tropical fish.

One of the innovations at the new motel is a "drive-in" registration counter which relieves guests of the necessity of a wait in the lobby for room assignment.

A Trader Horn type of gift shop is found near the cocktail lounge entrance. A banquet hall which can seat 120 or more has a dramatic decor of lava rock wall, one upper wall area set with abalone shell, and one wall decorated with tapa cloth design, and Polynesian images for pillars.

James O. Carey is general manager of hotel operations for the Wonder Lodge chain with motels at Salinas, and Santa Maria, the latter being known as the Vanderberg Inn and Hotel.

Entrance to the "Surf Rider," the appropriately named cocktail lounge, gets the South Sea treatment with a native boat suspended from the ceiling, and the door pull, a carved figurine representing a Polynesian god.

The entrance is set off dramatically with dark lava rock, and a lighted lava cave behind the bar is complete with a waterfall. Totem poles and Polynesian wooden images are used effectively throughout the interior. In the buffet area, a large canoe carved from wood with the prow carved with native warrior head and weighing close to a ton will be the setting for the South Sea Island foods and delicacies which the new motel will feature.

In the dining room area, one will also find the enormous native birdcage about 25 feet long, and probably in time, there will be gilded birds in it to sing. Tapa cloth, bamboo, simulated lava rock walls, modern hurricane lamps, Hawaiian bows and arrows and lances, seaweed, netting are all part of the suggestive decor. Cocktail tables have inlays of abalone shells. Some drinks will be served in coconut shells and pineapple cups. Some 90 employees will be the motel complement.

Wonder Lodge Chain
The motel, built by the John Howard Construction Co., was owned by George King who sold it to the Wonder Lodge chain which is headed by James L. Fallon of Hollywood, as president. Fallon Is expected to be present to greet guests Friday night along with Carey and other company officials.

Marvin Brown has been named resident manager of the new motel. Brown, formerly with the Bakersfield Inn from 1957-1959, will return to Bakersfield from Klamath Falls where he has been serving the Hoffues estate as manager. Jane Smallwood will be the chief room clerk.

The new motel has extensive kitchen facilities including a pantry for imported oriental foods. The kitchen has two areas and two staffs, one with a Chinese chef for the preparation of the South Sea Island menus, and one for the American dishes including prime beef steak and ribs. A reminder of this is the built-in rotisserie in the dining area set in lava rock, the turning spit holding a roast pig. John Franco is the head chef and Ed Mundy the catering manager."

:up: A story about a preview party for the Wonder Lodge (June 17, 1961)

:down: Some more stories about the opening:

:down: An article from 1963 detailing the addition of a "Viking Sauna"

:down: A few adverts for the entertainment:

:down: A Christmas wish from 1961:

... and my favorite article of all: A promotion from a Mercury dealership in Long Beach from 1963, telling how well the new model Mercury Monterey performed on its trip to Bakersfield on the newly-finished San Diego freeway. The photo of the Wonder Lodge gives a decent view of the whimsical South Seas totems in front of the entrance and the great Surf Rider sign as well.

"Combine the magic of a valley climate, a South Sea island escape and a new outlook for big driving pleasure and there you have our latest motorlog.

The place - the Wonder Lodge on Highway 99 in Bakersfield. The car - a showroom fresh Mercury Monterey custom two-door hardtop from Marshal Duffield's "grand opening" Continental Mercury-Comet agency at 1940 Lakewood Boulevard at the traffic circle.

The Wonder Lodge with its Samoan dining room, Tahitian steak room, coffee shop, banquet room, bar, lounge, pool and modern accommodations, is an oasis of resort living, sparkling under the Bakersfield sun.

Exotic Polynesian and American dishes are served in the authentically South Sea Island atmosphere. Art treasures from the Islands decorate the rooms, and even the waiters are imported.

An outrigger canoe of gigantic proportions is wheeled out to the pool from 5 pm to 9 pm evenings to serve cocktails and hors d'oeuvers. From 11pm to 1am the canoe is used as a chuck wagon in the Tahitian room.

A new feature in the Tahitian room is Bakersfield's first and only charcoal broiler. Next to it, set in lava rock and glassed in, is a rotisserie large enough to make two turkeys look like two chickens in a family-sized unit.

A new feature out by the pool is a redwood Sauna steam room which produces a dry heat (7 per cent humidity).

Guest accommodations include attractive bedrooms or studio rooms all with enclosed private patios, free TV and direct dial telephone service. Rates were from $10 to $14. All in all, it seemed to be a lot of comfort, hospitality and atmosphere for the money."

Heading back to Long Beach straight in on 99 to pick up the San Diego freeway, we decided to hit the freeway at the peak traffic hour, just before 5pm. Apparently, few motorists are aware that this freeway is now completely open all the way to Long Beach as we were able to make this leg of the tour in less than one hour.

The Mercury Monterey performed excellently. We recommend you get acquainted with one during Marshal Duffield's kick-off in his new location.

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I can't find any Bakersfield newspaper articles on the Wonder Lodge after 1965, so perhaps that's when it underwent a name change?

In any case, it appears to have been a pretty important Tiki destination that has largely been forgotten.

[ Edited by: Sabu The Coconut Boy 2010-09-21 23:19 ]