Mentone

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Welcome to Mentone, Indiana

Mentone, Indiana was founded in 1882 and is home to what the locals call the world’s largest egg – that’s no yolk! The 3,000lbs concrete egg statue stands in the middle of town and proudly proclaims the area’s nearly 140-year history of providing commercially produced eggs to stores nationwide. Hence, Mentone is known as the “Egg Basket of the Midwest.” Mentone with its two doctors, hardware store, its 1 bank, shops, and churches is quaint, welcoming, and exemplifies Hoosier Hospitality. Read on to find some things to do in Mentone, Indiana.

Things To Do in Mentone, Indiana

Lawrence D. Bell Aircraft Museum/Mentone Historical Museum

This museum is dedicated to Mentone native Lawrence Bell. Bell founded Bell Aircraft inventing the first supersonic jet piloted by Chuck Yeager. He also created the first jet-propelled airplane, the world’s first commercial helicopter, the world’s fastest and highest-flying airplane, the Bell X-1A, and the first vertical take-off and landing jet. Explore the rich history of aircraft at this museum, and also watch for their Annual Rotors Over Mentone event, where you could have the chance to ride in a helicopter! The Mentone Historical Museum which is connected to the Lawrence D. Bell Aircraft Museum provides information about the history of the town and it also displays what made Mentone, the Egg Basket of the Midwest.

Mentone Egg

Some will claim the world’s largest egg is in Washington, not Indiana. However, the residents of Mentone would strongly disagree. The egg in Washington which holds the title is a 12 ft, 1,200 lbs fiberglass egg. The concrete Mentone Egg stands at 12 ft and weighs 3,000lbs making it the bigger egg in weight by over double.

According to Mentone legend, the idea of the egg was created by Ed Ward, the manager of the Northern Indiana CO-OP Association, as well as some of the egg farmers around the Mentone area. The egg was built in late 1946 and it took 12 men to load it on a truck. Stop by this unique attraction and snap a few pictures in front of the world’s biggest egg.

Mentone Egg Festival

Every June the town holds its family-friendly Mentone Egg Festival, complete with a parade, a huge car, truck, and motorcycle show, vendors, and crafters.  Enjoy entertainment, food, and games while exploring this Indiana small town.

Restaurants in Mentone, Indiana

Java Jack’s Coffee House

Java Jacks is a classic small-town coffee shop serving all your favorite coffee and tea beverages. They all serve traditional American breakfast and lunch.

Bourbon Street Pizza

Bourbon Street Pizza specializes in pizza, pasta, and wings, and they are famous for their breadsticks. Dine-in, pick-up, and delivery options are available. They offer a family-friendly atmosphere where everyone is welcome.

Deli N Dough

Have fun visiting this specialized bakery, which offers decorated cakes, cupcakes, donuts, pies, cookies, and much more. Deli N Dough also offers salads, sandwiches, and other deli foods, along with ice cream, milkshakes, and shaved ice. It’s the perfect place to stop in for lunch and a sweet treat.

Shopping in Mentone, Indiana

Pete & Freddy’s Pages Aplenty

A small-town bookstore with small-town prices, so, all you must worry about is what to read next! Conveniently located next door to a coffee shop, this bookstore offers over 30,000 books to choose from! It is owned and run by two bibliophile sisters sharing their passion for the written word. Pages aplenty, books galore, when you’re finished come back for more!

TJ’s Craft and Home Décor

TJ’s Craft and Home Décor offers handmade crafts, home decor, and furniture items. Find the next vintage or uniquely hand-crafted item for your home here.

Mama B’s

Mama B’s offers country and farmhouse-style primitive pieces, antiques, and décor, some of which are handmade by Mama B’s. They have seasonal rooms, so you can decorate for every time of year.

Terri’s This & That

Terri’s This & That is a family-owned business. They specialize in secondhand furniture, antiques, household items, old linens, stained glass, and jewelry.

The Little Shop in The Woods

Hidden away in the peaceful forest, you will find this gem of a shop. The Little Shop in The Woods is a full-line antique shop with furniture, depression glass, vintage dolls, rhinestone jewelry, and much more.

Engage Kosciusko Passports

Want to win prizes and receive exclusive discounts while visiting Mentone, Indiana? Join our Engage Kosciusko Passports. We have six passports total, divided into two categories. The Sip & Savor Passports offer entry into a drawing for $100 in Kosciusko Cash upon trial completion and some participating businesses are offering exclusive discounts to pass holders. These passports include the Taco Trail, Breakfast Trail, and Sipping Trail.

The Challenge Passports offer a prize after visiting just five passport locations. These include the Trail Blazer Challenge, which offers a metal water bottle and fidget spinner, the Adventure Challenge, which offers a Kosciusko County t-shirt, and the Public Art Trail Challenge, which offers a pair of sunglasses and upon trail completion, entry into a drawing to win $100 to the Village at Winona.

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