Fans Mourn Demolition of Iconic Little America Hotel in Wyoming

The 92-year-old roadside landmark known for its cheap ice cream, penguin mascot, and lifesaving shelter during blizzards is being torn down.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:54pm

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A bold, geometric illustration in the Art Deco style depicts the sweeping, streamlined architecture of the Little America travel center, capturing the romance and grand scale of the classic American road trip.The iconic Little America hotel may be gone, but the spirit of classic American road travel lives on in the grand, Art Deco-inspired architecture of its travel center.Green River Today

The iconic Little America hotel near Green River, Wyoming, which opened in 1934 and became a beloved destination for generations of road-tripping families, is being demolished. Fans are lamenting the loss of the hotel's classic 1960s-era rooms, cheap ice cream cones, and famous penguin mascot, as well as its role as a warm, safe haven during Wyoming's notorious blizzards.

Why it matters

Little America was more than just a hotel - it was a community unto itself, with its own post office, ZIP code, and employee residences. For many travelers, it represented the quintessential American roadside experience, offering food, fuel, and shelter to weary drivers. Its demolition marks the end of an era and the loss of a cherished piece of Wyoming history.

The details

The one-story hotel rooms, built in their current location along Interstate 80 after a 1948 fire, are no longer cost-effective for the company to maintain. Little America officials say they are tearing down the aging hotel buildings to focus instead on the existing RV park and expanded travel center. While the hotel itself is being demolished, the company says it will still cater to motorists with a cafe, gift shop, and children's playground.

  • Little America opened in 1934.
  • The hotel's current one-story rooms were built in their present location along I-80 after a 1948 fire.
  • The hotel is now being demolished in 2026.

The players

Little America

A local hotel, travel center, and roadside attraction that opened in 1934 and became a beloved destination for generations of road-tripping families in Wyoming.

Stephen Mack Covey

The founder of Little America, who built a modest motel with 12 cabins, two gas pumps, a cocktail lounge, and a 24-seat cafe in the middle of nowhere after being caught in a Wyoming blizzard.

Earl Holding

The owner of Little America who became friends with the father of local resident Albert Bazzanella after a chance encounter at the Mustang Restaurant in Green River.

Albert Bazzanella

A Rock Springs resident who has many fond childhood memories of visiting Little America with his family for special occasions like Sundays after church.

Gene Bryan

A former Wyoming tourism director who remembers being grateful to find the warm, safe haven of Little America during a treacherous Wyoming blizzard.

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What they’re saying

“Knowing that we are losing such an iconic piece of history known as Little America really makes me sad. But I have a lot of great memories with family at Little America, and those memories can never be taken away.”

— Albert Bazzanella, Rock Springs resident

“Boy, you talk about coming up at the right time.”

— Gene Bryan, Former Wyoming tourism director

“We will never forget our stop at Little America, and it will always hold a special place in our hearts forever. We all teared up when we saw the hotel was being closed and torn down.”

— Yvonne Spaulding

What’s next

Little America officials have not announced a specific timeline for the demolition of the hotel buildings, but the company says it will continue to operate the existing RV park and expanded travel center at the site.

The takeaway

The demolition of the iconic Little America hotel marks the end of an era for Wyoming's roadside history and culture. While the travel center will remain, the loss of the classic 1960s-era hotel rooms, penguin mascot, and reputation as a lifesaving haven during blizzards will be deeply felt by generations of loyal customers who have cherished their memories of this quintessential American roadside destination.