Shuller's Wigwam (originally called Shuller's Restaurant) was on this property at 6210 Hamilton Ave in College Hill for 78 years from 1922-2000. People from this area have fond memories but I was hard pressed to find many good photos of Shuller's online.
I was late to the scene but I remember bringing a date here in the 1980s as it was the fanciest place I could afford. I may have been one of the last customers when I came here again a couple of times in 1999. I recall it being very old timey with dim lighting, dark wood and naugahyde seats. It was the kind of place you could get a prime rib and a scotch. Sadly no one from the family wanted to take over the business in its later years. Shuller's closed in 2000 and the building was razed some time after. For the time being it is an empty lot awaiting planned re-development.
the first Shuller's in the 1920s, the 1954 version, an interior shot, the Wigwam logo, and a matchbook c. 1980s
So what's with the "wigwam"? From what I've read, the original 1922 building was added on in 1932. The addition was shaped like a tee-pee and customers thought it looked like a wigwam, therefore it became Shuller's Wigwam and they kept with the pseudo Indian theme and imagery. The menu even featured items such as the Mohican French-fried Seafood Platter Deluxe and the 12-ounce Squaw Steak Special
The original building was torn down in 1954 and a larger restaurant was built which looked nothing like a wigwam but the name stayed.
I don't know the full celebrity list but did manage to scare up a couple of photos. One, of then actor and future President Ronald Reagan in the 1950s (sitting in one of the blue booths pictured above) , and another of former Cincinnati Mayor and talk show host Jerry Springer in the 1980s.
