Our Museum
Our museum is home to more than 300 antique vehicles and artifacts, a working restoration
shop, and a display area. Most of our vehicles are located outdoors on the grounds of the
historic Feldspar Mill Building in the rural community of Campo, California.
The Mill Building is a local landmark standing ten stories high representing the remains of a
flourishing mining industry that processed feldspar from the 1920s to the 1950s. Docents are
available for visitor tours to share the history of the Mill Building and guide you on an exploration
of our antique vehicles on the grounds.
We also offer an indoor exhibit area and research library for our visitors to experience and
enjoy. Our research library helps preserve many unique archival reference books, manuals, and
literature collections from the transportation industry.
Our Beginnings
In July 1984, a passionate group of truck enthusiasts in the San Diego area met to discuss the many problems they faced preserving old trucks and our transportation history. Soon, other Los Angeles, Orange County and Riverside truck enthusiasts joined the cause. Local government policies and politics were making it increasingly difficult for anyone interested in old trucks to maintain a collection. Local zoning ordinances were forcing a significant numbers of old trucks to be scrapped instead of preserved for future generations to experience and enjoy.
The goal was to find a permanent location to store, restore, maintain, and display antique vehicles before more historical knowledge and essential resources were lost. The team recognized that in order to make a truly significant contribution to preserving our history, the correct course of action was to establish a non-profit museum dedicated to educating the public about the history of the motor transport industry. From this idea the Motor Transport Museum was born and opened to the public in September 1986.
Details on The Mill
The Feldspar Mill Building is a 100-foot tall, 9-story building built in 1925 by Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company to process the mineral Feldspar. In 1918, William Stell of El Cajon, California, discovered Feldspar in Hauser Canyon, five miles north of Campo. The claims were patented in 1924 and sold to the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company in 1925. Feldspar was mined and trucked to the Mill for processing and ground to a fine 200 mesh powder. After a railcar trip to Richmond, California, the feldspar powder became porcelain used for bathroom tubs, sinks, and toilets, eventually extending into glass, pottery, and soap.
We are located 50 miles east of San Diego in the scenic rural Mountain Empire area of Campo, California.
Motor Transport Museum
31949 Highway 94
Campo, California, 91906
(619) 478-2492
Our museum is open to the public every Saturday during the year from 9AM until 5PM. And on the first Sunday of each month from 10AM until 4PM. Admission is free, donations are welcomed.
Over 300 Antique Vehicles and Artifacts On Display
Our museum is home to more than 300 antique vehicles and artifacts, a working restoration shop, and a display area. Most of our vehicles are located outdoors on the 5 acre grounds of the historic Feldspar Mill Building for visitors to explore. We also offer an indoor exhibit area and research library.
Private Use
The museum facilities are also available for private events. Past events include photo shoots, group visits, group meetings, classes, family get togethers, birthday parties, weddings, movie shoots car club excursions, or whatever you can dream up.