Overnight Stay in a 1955 Airstream Camp Trailer
One of my favorite pieces of art in my home is a framed magazine advertisement for the 1950 Buick that discusses how a husband and wife daringly took their “Dynaflow” transmission-equipped Special four-door all the way up the Alcan highway from the Lower 48 to Fairbanks while towing a travel trailer. “People couldn’t believe their eyes,” it said.
Back in the 1950s – and even beyond – it was not uncommon for people to tow campers, boats, and other types of trailers behind their passenger cars. Heck, even the owner’s manual for my 1994 Acura has a chapter dedicated to towing instructions. Nowadays, though, you’d probably void your warranty on a modern car or crossover trying to tow much of anything around.
Airstream Backstory
Much like the chrome-laden vehicles of the 1950s, some of the camp trailers from the era were equally flashy. One of the popular brands on the market was Airstream. The company had been founded in about 1930 in California. One of its first trailers was a 1936 model for $1,200 that could house four occupants as well as provide electric lights and a water supply. Airstreams were manufactured with aerospace-grade aluminum and riveted construction – allowing them to remain relatively lightweight, yet strong. From a design perspective, they were known for having rounded “silver bullet” shapes and a low center of gravity.
Shady Dell History
As part of a year-end adventure, I decided to make the trek to the Shady Dell RV Park in Bisbee, Arizona. It was about a 215-mile, 3.5-hour trek one-way from the Phoenix area to Bisbee.
Shady Dell’s history dates back to 1927 – nearly 100 years ago – when it was established as a stop along the highway for people to park their cars and trailers. The RV park lies along historic Highway 80 and is home to 18 restored travel trailers, a yacht, and even a tiki-themed bus – all styled in period-correct décor. It’s a step back in time and a place rich in nostalgia.
My Stay in a 1955 Airstream
The check-in process was slick – the key was simply left inside my unit. I made my way around the property and settled in. Along the way, I noticed a few classic cars around the property, including a 1958 Checker taxi in the front parking lot, a 1954 Chevrolet 210, and a 1955 Cadillac Eldorado. Each one looked like it had a lot of stories to tell.
As for my camp trailer, which was unit number 9: Airstream had skills it came to maximizing available space. Every nook and cranny was accounted for – two small beds, a couch, a kitchenette, and a bathroom. My favorite feature inside the wood-paneled interior was a small record player and a library of music selections. I played some period-correct music to get into the mood. The Airstream had everything except a shower, but communal showers were located just steps away, and I wasn’t too worried about taking a shower on a quick overnight trip.
One thing that did catch me by surprise was that the power outlets inside the trailer were two-prong instead of three, so I couldn’t charge my laptop computer. But that ended up being a blessing – what better reason to emotionally unplug and enjoy a night away! As dusk settled in, I viewed the colorful skies from the chairs outside my front door before calling it a night.
For on-site food options with a nostalgic feel, Shady Dell has a vintage 1957 Valentine diner on-site called Dot’s, which is open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every Thursday to Monday. I elected to walk over to the Bisbee Breakfast Club in Lowell for breakfast, instead – more to come on that in a future story. I highly recommend checking out the Shady Dell!
