cloud museum

I kept looking in Yuma Arizona and couldn't find this place as it's in Bard California.....out in the middle of acres and acres of wheat and lettuce fields. It's probably thirty miles from where we were staying in Yuma but well worth the trip to see this fascinating place of old cars, mostly pre-war Fords. Mr. Cloud told us that he could start any one of them and they would run. This old gentlemen is just full of information and seemed to enjoy telling us all about his land and cars. Your on the honor system when entering to pay the five dollar admission fee per person but Mr. Cloud drives around his property on a tractor sort of vehicle along with his great dog and he checks the old metal box to see if you have paid up. There were not many people there, maybe half a dozen when we were there and it was a weekend. It wasn't an easy place to find but so much history and it brought back so many fond memories of our youth. Go....you won't regret the long drive from Yuma.

We spent a couple of weeks in the Yuma/Senator Wash area and drove by the Cloud Museum on our way to Bard several times. One day we had 15-20 minutes to kill before meeting friends for lunch so we stopped in to see what we figures would a hodge-podge of old beat-up cars and farm equipment - which is was - and so much more! A bucket at the entrance suggests a $5.00 donation for entry, but isn't mandatory. In addition to old cars and farm equipment there are antique cherry pickers, fire trucks etc, an old post office with posters of the wanted gunslingers of the old west, and a buidling devoted to antique domestic equipment, kitchen utensils - evening and old giant coffee grinder. And finally there are two buildings filled with old cars completely and immaculately restored. Not what weexpected from the outside. We wished we had allowed an hour or two to view the place, although we definitely our $5.00 and 20 minutes worth and it was enough time to at least glance at everything.

The Cloud Museum is a unique collection of antique Ford cars and trucks, farm implements, gas pumps, outboard motors, and other assorted pieces of machinery and antique rural-living hardware. You have to see it to believe it. Descriptions and even pictures don't do this collection justice.Happened upon the place while making a loop north of Yuma. Went to see the "Bridge to Nowhere" and the Atomic Cannons. Drove through the Yuma Proving Grounds and as we headed back through Bard, the museum "appeared" between the date palms. Looked interesting enough that we turned around to go in. Only wish that it hadn't been so close to closing. Breezed through taking photograph after photograph, finding more of interest around every turn. Well worth the $5 per person admission.If you have an interest in vintage equipment or Ford Model A and Model T cars and trucks, this is stop is a must!

The museum was recommended by our friends that winter in Yuma. The unique museum is well organized with mostly mechanical items from the turn of the last century. We spoke with the owner and heard some of the stories. This is an easily walked site and shows a couple of rooms as they would have been set up.

This is a private museum of one guys life collection of "stuff". If you are a photographer like me, then be prepared to spend some time here. Send the family across the road to the Date Store for a Date Shake. He has restored dozens of old cars and he has collected "farm fresh" rust buckets that make photographers smile. The collections are in several out-buildings and he even has a few "antique rooms" set up they way it must have been in the early 1900's. I go back every other year and have never been disappointed in the "treasures" found there.

Our son took us to the Cloud Museum while we were visiting in Yuma. We had two old folks (us), middle aged son and daughter-in-law, granddaughter and her husband and their 3 year old. Everyone found something to like. Older folks will be more interested longer than the young ones, but there is something for everyone. Many, many old cars from the early 1900's - some of which are very rusty, and some are in great shape. There are all kinds of old home interior items, blacksmith equipment, toys, baby carriages, guns, etc. It was a nice 1-1.5 hour visit, although my husband and son could have stayed a lot longer. The owner is really nice - friendly, there to answer questions, but not at all hovering or pushy. My husband would definitely go back, but I'll probably skip a return trip.