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OUR STORY

The Ambrose Motel was appropriately named after being built by the descendents of the Ambrosio DeGedio family in the mid 1900's.

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Ambrosio DeGedio made his first trip to America in 1862. He settled in the eastern part of the United States and was employed in railroad work. He made several trips back to his native land and in 1890 he returned to America with two of his sons, Antonio and Micheala and settled in Cumberland where they farmed on a small farm and also were employed in railroad
work. There were 14 members in the family, and the two sons above and one daughter, Lucia, who came in 1910, were the only members to settle here. The original family, who resided in St. Polo Matese, Italy, owned and operated a large sheep and goat ranch consisting of several hundred head. 

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Ambrose,who was son of Antonia DeGedio (& grandson of Ambrosio), was born in Cumberland in 1901 and attended the Cumberland schools. He later was employed in the iron mines of Minnesota. Later he moved to Minneapolis where he studied voice at the Schultz Music Conservatory and made his vocal appearance in the Minneapolis Auditorium and the Apollo Club. He also sang on KSTP radio until 1924. He then studied voice in Chicago in 1926 and was a member of the Chicago Civic Opera singing for concerts and in theaters in the Chicago area. He came back to Cumberland in 1946 and in 1953 he built the Ambrose Motel, which he owned and operated until his retirement when his son George took it over.  Since then, many families have owned and operated this iconic small hotel on the north edge of town.  

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The Ambrose Motel was purchased by the Ricci family in 2006 and few changes have been made to the iconic motel with its glazed cinderblock wall construction and most of its original vintage fixtures.  Even the original neon sign stands out front and earns it place on the Wisconsin Historical Society! 

 

 If you're looking for a retro place to lay your head, check out the Ambrose motel ! 

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Credit:  The History Of The City Of Cumberland, "History Through the Years"

Compiled by the Cumberland Women's Club and Published by the Cumberland Advocate
1874-1974 (used by permission of the Cumberland Advocate)

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https://wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Property/HI242127

"The motel is a local family owned business and they were extremely friendly and helpful. We will not hesitate to stay there again."

"Perfect small motel with excellent service Quiet, peaceful, restful."

 "The service was great from the first phone call right through check out. The small town friendly atmosphere was outstanding. We will be back. Thank you for the hospitality. See ya soon."

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