Facility will showcase rich history of earthmoving
The new Earthmoving Legacy Center, a 38,000-square-foot facility that will showcase the rich history of earthmoving, is slated to open in Elkader on Sept. 17. Located at 24412 Highway 13, the facility came about as a way for John Moyna, the third-generation owner of the road construction company C.J. Moyna & Sons, to share his large collection. (Photos by Audrey Posten)
Approximately 50 early pieces will be displayed at the Earthmoving Legacy Center. The collection spans from the 1880s and horse-drawn earthmoving equipment to the 1940s era, focusing primarily on the evolution of the Caterpillar Company.
“Right now, we’re trying to get everything in and in the right spot,” said Ryan Young, a C.J. Moyna and Sons employee who's helped develop the facility. Along with the machinery, which will be housed in the building’s lower level, the Earthmoving Legacy Center will feature additional items upstairs, including toys, watch fobs, technology displays and a theater.
Even the ceiling—a mural of a job site—will impress visitors.
Some other facilities around the country, such as agriculture museums, feature similar machinery. “But there’s nothing this complete, or focused to this level,” Young said.
Visitors will note Caterpillar's transition from the "gray line" to "highway yellow" in 1932.
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
The new Earthmoving Legacy Center, a 38,000-square-foot facility that will showcase the rich history of earthmoving, is slated to open in Elkader on Sept. 17.
Located at 24412 Highway 13, the facility came about as a way for John Moyna, the third-generation owner of the road construction company C.J. Moyna & Sons, to share his large collection with everyone, whether they’re an avid tractor fan or a class of curious students.
According to Ryan Young, a C.J. Moyna & Sons employee who’s worked with Moyna to develop the Earthmoving Legacy Center, approximately 50 early pieces will be displayed. The collection spans from the 1880s to the 1940s era, focusing primarily on the evolution of the Caterpillar Company.
The Earthmoving Legacy Center will also allow other collectors to loan their pieces, showcasing early track-type tractors from Caterpillar, Holt Manufacturing and C.L. Best Manufacturing.
“We’ll start with horse-drawn earthmoving equipment, then move into Holt and Best, the two companies that formed Caterpillar. This first section is pre-1925,” said Young, pointing to an area near the building entrance where pieces are already in place. A timeline on the wall behind the equipment denotes their spot among other historical events.
Young said each machine will have its own information plate, telling visitors more about it.
“The goal is that you don’t have to know a lot about earthmoving to enjoy it. You can walk through and get a better understanding,” he stated.
Ground was broken on the Earthmoving Legacy Center outside the C.J. Moyna & Sons headquarters in early 2020. Final details are coming together now, ahead of the grand opening, which coincides with C.J. Moyna & Sons hosting the Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club (ACMOC) National Show from Sept. 17-19.
“Right now, we’re trying to get everything in and in the right spot,” said Young.
That is no easy task.
“For every piece, you have to drain the fluids and wash it and shine it before moving it in,” he explained.
Moyna is one of the largest Caterpillar machinery collectors in the world, with over 300 pieces, many of which have been restored, partially restored or on the list to be restored.
That so many pieces have been saved is amazing, said Young.
“Over the years, a lot of things got scrapped or became obsolete,” he shared.
Some other facilities around the country, such as agriculture museums, feature similar machinery. “But there’s nothing this complete, or focused to this level,” Young said.
Along with the machinery, which will be housed in the building’s lower level, the Earthmoving Legacy Center will feature additional items upstairs.
“There will be toys and watch fobs and technology displays to show advancements. A theater will explain the evolution of earthmoving,” said Young. “There will be a good amount of educational materials. Once we’re open, we hope to get some school groups through this fall.”
The Earthmoving Legacy Center will be open to the public Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Private tours will also be available after Sept. 20. Learn more at www.earthmovinglegacy.com.
Details about the upcoming ACMOC Show, which will offer many different opportunities for viewing, experiencing and engaging with machinery, can be found at https://cjmoyna.com/events/acmoc-2021-show/.
