McCloud Heritage Junction Museum

ARE you new to McCloud or a returning visitor? Are you uncovering family history, or researching California’s lumber and railroad history?   Interested in learning what life was like more than one hundred years ago in California, long before personal computers and cell phones and even automobiles? McCloud’s Heritage Junction Museum is the place for you!

When walking or driving our quiet neighborhoods, or enjoying the natural wonders surrounding our community, it is easy to overlook that McCloud was once the hub of a powerful industrial enterprise fueled by vast tracts of timber, locomotive power, skilled workers and farsighted management (click the "Our Story" tab for more).  Though the sawmills are now quiet, and the steam whistles no longer pierce the air, the residents of McCloud take pride in its heritage, and there are many still who will happily share stories of what it was like living and working in a company town (or logging camp) transitioning to the vibrant and attractive community it is today.

For over forty years, the Museum's all-volunteer staff has acquired, preserved and shared artifacts, photos, maps and video documenting the unique history of this region.   Our displays and the stories they tell have inspired young and old to reflect on the technological and social changes that we now take for granted, forgot about, or never knew!   As we try to navigate ever rapidly advancing progress in our modern world, our hope is to ground our visitors with the knowledge of how far we have come, the simple pleasures of bygone days, and the special lessons unique to McCloud's history.    

The goal for our 2026 North State Giving Tuesday campaign is to acquire funds needed to maintain our 120+ year-old building, upgrade our displays and develop an online presence.   The Museum can always use volunteer help for social media and web site development, building/yard maintenance, collections management and youth outreach.   If you can spare even just an hour a week, we can use you!

The McCloud Heritage Junction Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and depends completely on the generosity of visitors and donors to safeguard its collections, maintain its building and grounds, and meet operational expenses.  Please help us continue to fulfill our mission!

      Community Life McCloud River Lumber Company  

Shirts, books and more... Corliss Steam Engine"Main Street"