Ulch's Motel-Wagon Wheel Motel History

Harrison lost a mid-19th century era motel over the Fourth of July weekend with the fire that occurred at the Wagon Wheel Motel. It was originally Ulch’s Motel built and run by Ronald “Jack” and Leah Ulch in the mid-1950s. It was operated by several others over the years under the Ulch’s Motel name. It originally had 8 units and later expanded to 11 units. It touted a TV bar and coffee lounge shown in the inset photo of the postcard.

An ad for Ulch’s Motel in the July 4, 1958 publication of the Cleaver.

Clare County Cleaver

An aerial view of Ulch’s Motel. It was renamed the Wagon Wheel Motel in the 1970s.

Posted Tuesday, July 8, 2025 12:00 am

An ad for Ulch’s Motel in the July 4, 1958 publication of the Cleaver.

Harrison lost a mid-19^th century era motel over the Fourth of July weekend with the fire that occurred at the Wagon Wheel Motel. It was originally Ulch’s Motel built and run by Ronald “Jack” and Leah Ulch in the mid-1950s. It was operated by several others over the years under the Ulch’s Motel name. It originally had 8 units and later expanded to 11 units. It touted a TV bar and coffee lounge shown in the inset photo of the postcard.

An aerial view of Ulch’s Motel. It was renamed the Wagon Wheel Motel in the 1970s.

Longtime Harrison Motel Ravaged by Fire