McCloud Heritage Junction Museum

Heritage Junction Museum has accumulated an impressive collection of artifacts from McCloud’s history, including the giant Corliss steam engine that powered the McCloud sawmill from 1903 until 1979. The museum also has a huge photographic collection covering the entire history of the town and its surrounding country. The museum is open to visitors daily through the summer and by special arrangements during the winter months.

On January 21, 1897, the backers of the McCloud River Lumber Company incorporated the McCloud River Railroad Company to assume construction and operation of a railroad started the previous year projected to connect its sawmill on the southeast flank of California’s Mt. Shasta with the Central Pacific Railroad mainline. The McCloud River Railroad survived through ninety five and a half sometimes turbulent years, in the process becoming an endearing presence in both the communities the railroad served and the railfan community. On July 1, 1992, the McCloud Railway Company acquired the operating assets, and though much of the line has since been abandoned the railroad still exists as a common carrier between McCloud and Mt. Shasta City.