The Story Behind Little America's Beloved Penguin

You'll find him on souvenirs, tucked into the details of our decor, and even as the namesake of the recently renovated Penguin Deli & Grill at our original Wyoming location. He's been part of the Little America family for decadesand with National Penguin Day on January 20th, we thought it was the perfect time to share his story.

A Refuge on the Open Road

In 1932, a Utah sheepherder named S.M. Covey opened a modest way station for travelers along a remote stretch of highway in western Wyoming, about 60 miles east of the Utah border. He wanted a name that shouted "remote" and "shelter" and "outpost"and he found the perfect inspiration in Admiral Richard E. Byrd's Antarctic basecamp, Little America, constructed on the Ross Ice Shelf during Byrd's first expedition to the South Pole in 1928.

Both places shared a common purpose: to offer safety, warmth, and comfort to those on a long and arduous journey. And so, Little America was bornand with it, our beloved penguin mascot.

By 1934, Little America Wyoming had officially established itself as a haven for travelers, offering fuel, food, and a place to rest along what was then the Lincoln Highway. Today, that same stretch of road is Interstate 80, but the spirit of hospitality remains unchanged.

An Antarctic Ambassador

S.M. Covey took the penguin connection seriouslyso seriously, in fact, that he commissioned a real Emperor penguin to be brought all the way from Antarctica to serve as Little America's official mascot. The penguin was delivered by Isak Lystad, a ship's captain who had served on Admiral Byrd's third Antarctic expedition in 1939-40.

Named Emperor, this distinguished ambassador from the South Pole has been greeting guests ever since. Today, you can still visit Emperor at our original Little America Wyoming location, where he stands proudly in a glass case in the lobbya beloved piece of our history and a true one-of-a-kind welcome. Guests stop by every day to see him, and many return years later to introduce their own children to the penguin they remember from past road trips.

A Tradition of Warmth

In 1966, Earl and Carol Holding acquired Little America and expanded the brand into a small collection of hotels across the American West. But no matter how much has changed over the yearsfrom two-lane highways to interstates, from 12 guest rooms to full-service resortsthe penguin has remained a constant.

For generations, our friendly penguin mascot has represented something simple but meaningful: the promise that when you arrive at Little America, you're not just checking into a hotel. You're finding a home away from home.

Whether you're joining us in Salt Lake City, Flagstaff, Cheyenne, or stopping by our original Wyoming location to visit Emperor himself, that same spirit of hospitality is waiting for youjust as it has been since 1934.

From our family to yours: happy National Penguin Day.