ABOUT US
The VanHorn Western & Antique Auto Museum, located in the small town of Marmarth in southwest, North Dakota is a unique museum dedicated to showcasing a wide range of artifacts and memorabilia related to the American West and one of the most diverse display of vintage automobiles throughout four large, climate controlled buildings!
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In an exploration of the four buildings, you will see a variety of antique automobiles, western artifacts, an array of local history and several special displays of a variety of items. The VanHorn Western & Antique Museum provides a fascinating look into the past through its diverse collections and serves as an important cultural and educational resource for the community and visitors alike. Your visit is guaranteed to be a step back in history with an exploration through time that will entice your senses and your imagination.
Owner: JD VanHorn
Dillman James (JD) VanHorn was born on February 21, 1937, in Pomona, California. His early years were spent in the Sentinel Butte area of North Dakota. In 1950, at the age of 13, Van Horn enlisted in the Navy, where he served until 1954. Following his military service, he spent the next five years working on the LO Ranch in Miles City, Montana.
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Drawn by the allure of fame and fortune, VanHorn moved to California, where he found work driving a stagecoach at Knott's Berry Farm. His journey then took him to Monument Valley, Utah, where he drove stagecoaches for Warner Brothers Studio. Continuing his adventurous spirit, he worked for the Franklin Brothers Ranch in New Mexico before returning to the LO Ranch.
VanHorn's next career move was as a welder at the Peabody Coal Company in Colstrip, Montana, where he worked for 12 years. His skills as a welder then took him to the Alaskan frontier, where he spent three and a half years on the North Slope working for GSI, welding and repairing equipment.
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In 1974, VanHorn opened a welding shop in Marmarth, North Dakota. It was in Marmarth that he met Dory, and the couple spent the next 27 years together, living a few years in Newell, South Dakota, and the rest in Bowman, North Dakota.
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In 2002, VanHorn moved back to Marmarth and began building the structures at the current museum site. Over the course of 22 years, he amassed a collection of 120 cars and an impressive array of Western memorabilia, which are now on display for all to enjoy, showcasing his 70 years of collecting.
JD with a 1933 Ford Model 40
JD with a 1950 Jeepster
JD (Right) with the VanHorn Western & Antique Museum Board of Directors
TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF VANHORN'S
WESTERN & ANTIQUE AUTO MUSEUM
A Big THANK YOU to RVerTV for this Great Video Tour of Our Museum!