Sara’s Town ep. 21 Motte Historical Museum & Cruisin’ Grand in Escondido

Motte Historical Museum

& Cruisin’ Grand in Escondido

Antique cars, hot rods, luxury sedans and eyefuls of chrome

as far as the lens can see. 

In this episode Sara visits the Motte Historical Museum in Menifee where they feature tons of local and family history… and cars! 

Sara got to sit in and learn about this 1924 Ford school Bus. The bus was Perris High School’s very first bus. The students drove the bus themselves to get to and from school.

On display are almost seven decades of automotive history lovingly restored by members of the Motte family.

There are also both static and interactive displays throughout the museum for children and adults of all ages to enjoy.

In this episode Sara meets owner Leon Motte, tours the grounds of the museum and even goes for a drive in a 1960 Ford Thunderbird.

But that’s not all.  Nothing says summer like fast cars and loud engines; so Sara takes her “Sara Cam” to Escondido, California for their weekly Cruisin’ Grand event. 

Each Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., April through September, downtown is opened up to car enthusiasts and features hundreds of “Cruisers” traveling up and down Grand Ave. 

It’s also a family event and Sara’s family showed up in droves to help out. 

Sara learned all about this 1918 Ford fire truck, the City of Perris’ first dedicated fire truck.

Sara meets and interviews owners of all stripes, from muscle cars to classics and even her own cousin Jacob who has his own car story to tell.

Sara had a lot to share about her 5 days of filming between spending three days at Motte’s and two days at Cruisin’ Grand.

“Filming at Motte’s was like filming at Knott’s Berry Farm because it looked very western.  Mr and Mrs. Motte were very lovely people,” Sara explained. “They let me film at the museum and they were very kind to me.”

“It was very hot that day and I got a little cold afterwards, but it was worth it,” Sara said.
I tried on a lot of hats and we filmed 3 hours that day and for an hour on a different day.” 

Sara got to learn about a variety of different cars, all lovingly restored by the Motte family over the years.

“We filmed Cruisin’ Grand on a different day, just two days after Motte’s,” according to Sara. “It was neat.”

“Doing the pop-up facts I learned about how different countries (Europeans and Asians) thought of inventing the automobile 300 years; long before the American inventor Henry Ford mass-produced them,” Sara explained.  

Sara’s Town always an entire family affair

Many of Sara’s family members came out to help with the Cruising Grand event.

“The cars were incredible;” Sara’s dad Art said. “Each one is a work of art.”

Art explained that Motte’s owner Leon Motte “spent hours with Sara, answering her questions and sharing his years of knowledge about cars and history.”

Darlene Mott and the staff; Maria, Cora, and Todd, also were just as wonderful in working with us,” Art continued, “giving us unprecedented access to the museum and the vehicles.”

“I also need to thank my brother Brian for working nearly 5 hours running the second camera and helping me with the boom cam,” Art said.

“Two days after filming at Motte’s, we went down to Escondido for their weekly  Cruisin’ Grand event and let Sara interview and film,” according to Art

Motte’s hosts everything from weddings to special events.

“Thanks to all the family that helped out there,” Art said. “Dinner was fantastic fellowship.”

Whether it be a wedding, special event or fundraiser, come host your “Classy Occasion at the Motte Barn”

The Motte Historical Museum is located at 28380 Highway 74, Menifee, CA 92585.
Email: [email protected]
Museum Phone: (951) 928-3210

Click image for full-sized gallery of photographs.

Sara got to sit in and learn about this 1924 Ford school Bus. The bus was Perris High School’s very first bus. The students drove the bus themselves to get to and from school.

Sara learned that early wheels were made of wood, not steel or other metals as they are today.

Sara learned all about this 1918 Ford fire truck, the City of Perris’ first dedicated fire truck.

Leon Motte showed Sara numerous static and interactive displays.

Motte’s is filled with displays replicating era’s throughout the years, such as this soda stand/juke joint.

One of many vehicles on display at Mottes’ included this lovingly restored Indian motorcycle.

Sara got to try on many different hats related to the eras when they were popular.

One of many projects the Motte family is still working on to restore.

Sara learned that many of the vehicles on display at Mottes were once used by family members at the location.

Sara learned all of Motte’s vehicles are categorized by the era in which they were popular and driven.

Sara learned that many of the vehicles on display at Mottes were once used by family members at the location.

Sara got to learn about a variety of different cars, all lovingly restored by the Motte family over the years.

Motte’s hosts everything from weddings to special events.

Sara had a blast filming at Motte’s which took two full days of filming.

Sara returns from her tour with Leon Motte.

Sara got to go on a special ride with Leon Motte as he showed her al the different areas of the Motte Historical Museum.

Leon Motte, the owner of the Motte Historical Museum was more than happy to give Sara an hours-log tour of his museum.

Motte’s not only features cars from every era, it has room for weddings, catered events and more.

Motte Historical Museum is located at 28380 Highway 74 in Menifee.

Motte’s is the perfect place for weddings and other events.

Many of Sara’s family members came out to help with the Cruising Grand event.

Sara enjoyed her time filming at the Cruisin’ Grand event.

Sara meets another car owner, this one a 1968 Chevy Camaro SS.

Sara got to see so many cool cars and meet their owners.

For more info or to plan an event visit or special event to the Motte Historical Museum: http://www.mottemuseum.com/

For more info about the Cruisin’ Grand events, visit their webpage at: http://cruisingrand.com/

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.