Stretching from Savannah, Georgia to San Diego, California, Highway 80 was the center of travel and exploration throughout the early 20th century. Families looking to venture across the country would climb into their Spartan Trailer with their trusty map of the United States, stopping in RV campgrounds along the way. One of those campgrounds was The Shady Dell.
In fact, The Shady Dell is still around today. And it hasn’t changed one bit in Bisbee, Arizona.
The Shady Dell Vintage Trailer Court is home to original, vintage trailers from the 40s and 50s, decked out in period-appropriate decor and appliances. A bed adorned with a vintage Chenille bedspread sets the tone, along with the original Birchwood finishes of the retro RVs. Records spin in authentic record players, while classic black and white movies play on original 50s televisions.
“Staying the night here is like being a part of a living, breathing museum,” said owner Justin Luria. “It’s kind of a time warp. Back to the 1950s, the heyday of RVing. That’s around the time RVing really took off.”
Right after World War II, trailers became quite popular in America. Many families found themselves with disposable incomes. And many airplane manufacturers found themselves with leftover aluminum. It was like it was meant to be.
Inside The Shady Dell, where old looking campers are the norm [Photo by Kelly & Sergio Photography]
All of the trailers at The Sunny Dell are in their original condition, with their original Birchwood and other unique details. This was back when there was more attention to detail and craftsmanship, noted Luria. Especially the Spartan Trailers, with their curved art deco lines.
Each trailer also sports its own unique vibe, taken straight from the 40s and 50s. There’s the leopard print-clad Royal Mansion, themed after a late-50s cocktail lounge. There’s the 1957 Airfloat trailer with gold furnishings. That one has a bit of a Las Vegas Rat Pack feel. Then there’s the Tiki Bus, which has a Polynesian flair to it. The park also recently added a 1950 Alma Trailer, with unique dark wood. It’s a bit more art deco, a bit more Howard Hughes, said Luria.
But the trailers aren’t the only part of The Shady Dell that teleports guests back to a simpler time.
The campgrounds themselves haven’t changed much from the 1950s. There’s a 1957 Valentine Diner on site, advertising hamburgers, shakes, and fries. There’s also an outdoor movie screen, where guests can watch classic films. There’s original, vintage signs all around the park, and even an original 1950s telephone booth.
“A part of me just wants to preserve this piece of our history,” said Luria. “I love collecting old, vintage things. They’re built better. Designed better. And a lot of travelers are also looking for those authentic experiences. Unique experiences. The Shady Dell is perfect for that.”
By only decorating the grounds and trailers with original pieces and decor, The Shady Dell is a completely authentic experience like no other. There’s internet hookups, of course, but people usually come to the campground to tune out from everything. It’s a simple, quiet place that allows guests to forget about work, social media, and all the chaos that comes with it. A place to reminisce. To unplug and rewind.
While The Shady Dell is supposed to be a place to relax, have a cookout, and escape the modern world, they do have a 1968 checkered taxi cab that will take guests into Bisbee, an artsy mountain-side town just half a mile away. Saloons and microbreweries greet newcomers, as well as historic tours of the town’s once-booming copper mines.
Luria visited Bisbee himself before he became the owner of The Shady Dell. And he loved it. And he loved The Shady Dell, which was originally called Thompson’s Motor Court. A park since the 1920s, it’s one of the oldest continually operated RV parks in the country. And Luria knew it was meant to be his.
He was a collector of antiques and vintage cars. And the Shady Dell was just the coolest place he’d ever been to.
When it was up for sale 12 years ago, he immediately bought it.
With a background in the restaruant and hotel industry, hospitality and tourism is old hat for Luria. But The Shady Dell is just something special. It brings in a different crowd. Unique people from all around the world.
“The most important thing is all of the people that I’ve met and the friendships that I’ve made. It attracts a unique sort of traveler,” he said. “There’s a lot of interesting people from all over that I’ve met. They come every year. That’s the most important part to me, the connections I’ve made by owning The Shady Dell.”
Arizona, Business, Camping, RV Lifestyle, RV Parks, Trailers, Vintage Collection