elmer's auto & toy museum

This was the second time I've been there and I am not sure if I love this place or hate it. Very valuable cars, motorcycles etc. piled on top of each other. A model T under a bunch of stuff. Behind other things was several Indian Motorcycles, pre-war Harley pilled around toys. Amazing cars, toys and motorcycles but it had a strange feeling because of the way it was displayed. Things pilled on top of each other in a way that you can't enjoy the cars. Again not sure if I love or hate it, but certainly recommend it.

Approaching the farm site, you will notice Elmer also runs a salvage yard, which surrounds the musuem/homestead site. Apparently Elmer (he and his wife are still here and in their 70s) still lives here. Elmer sits in the shade and greets people, while trying to sell passerbys some of his junkier stuff. HIs wife sells tickets, and directs the parking with a stern attitude, follow her rules or get out! Most of the classic cars are stored in a pole barn/shed, bumper to bumper, side by side. The signs say DON'T TOUCH, but it is almost impossible NOT to touch them, as they are wedged so tightly together there is barely any room to walk around the cars to see them. If you meet someone walking in the same area, it is impossible not to touch the cars to prevent yourself from falling over for lack of room. Seriously! For approximately 50% of the cars in this shed you cannot even get close enough to peer into a car window. There is a Corvette with 5.5 miles on it, but you can barely see it wedged in 3 car lengths away, let alone walk up to it. This place also claims to have the largest collection of pedal cars (I think 750 or so). Just think of all the kids deprived of getting to enjoy riding them. There are also dolls, toys, motorcycles, buses, a hearse, a wagon, gadjets, and what nots, all in about 5 buildings and some outside. Some stuff is pure junk, but there is so much good stuff and not enough room to see it. Be ready to be scolded if you try to take any photos, NO PHOTOS ALLOWED, and no video taping of any kind, anywhere. Nice view of the valley and Fountain City below. The volunteer workers are friendly, but the owners are are like Mr. Scrooge hoarding gold, but eager to collect your money.

The trip to Fountain City is worth the trip in itself. The country side is stunning. There are many signs to find your way out of the city to find Elmer's Museum. Elmer greets you as you arrive. One dollar less if you are over 65. There are five buildings to explore. None are air conditioned so be prepared. If you enjoy going down memory lane with old cars in mint condition this is the place for you. We were 90 minutes and I think we saw all that we wanted to see. Stop in town at the Monarch for a great drink and food.

Elmer's will def take you back in time!! LOTS to see and alil history from the owner if you're lucky! All kinds of collections to see and bring memories back when you 'owned' or used or see alot of. . .

This was one of the stops on the 2nd Annual Walleye 1000 Vintage Rally, two day, 500+ mile drive for vintage sports cars. This was absolutely one of the highlights of the trip.Elmer himself greeted us, took our $8 and explained how to walk through so we don't 'miss anything'.It would be IMPOSSIBLE to see everything at this place, cars everywhere, interesting bikes and pedal cars from floor to ceiling, Elmer has collected just about everything forever.It is, quite simply, completely overwhelming. The place does sit on the highest point on the Mississippi Rover between the headwaters and New Orleans, the view down the valley to the river is probably worth as much as all the stuff on the property. It's absolutely worth a stop.They don't allow photography in the buildings full of stuff... but you'll never forget this place anyway!

This is a great place to see yesteryear. Just the collection of toy cars, the riding kind, is fantastic. You can't absorb it all in one trip. Take at least 3-4 trips.

Many car clubs end up here because of the great roads and scenery.This is a fantastic, man's lifetime collection (it looks like several lifetimes) of cars and all things mechanical and antiques and building after building of "stuff"- very valuable stuff, I might add. What started out as a junkyard is so much more. This is a place that can only be appreciated with a visit. Plan on several hours to just begin to see everything. Beautiful location overlooking the Mississippi - the highest point in the area I understand. If this was located closer to the big city, everyone would know about it.

Unbelievable. Millions of dollars in vintage autos, motorcycles and pedal toys. Situated on the top of the tallest bluff on the Mississippi River, so even the view is worth the trip.

You have to drive through a junkyard to get to it, but don’t be fooled—this is a real museum. Three buildings filled with cars of all ages and styles. Over 700 kids’ pedal cars, again of all ages and styles. Bikes, motor scooters and motorcycles. A house with a Model A in the rec room filled with dolls. A barn and a shed full of vintage toys, where there are literally stacks of little red wagons. To top it all off, a breathtaking view of the river valley below from atop one of the highest bluffs in the area. This is a massive collection that has been years in the making and that has obviously had a lot of thought put into its arrangement and display. Elmer, thank you for sharing your collection with the world!