Grissom rocket monument.

Gus Grissom Rocket Monument

In downtown Mitchell stands the Gus Grissom Rocket Monument, a scaled-down limestone carving of the Gemini spacecraft in which astronaut Gus flew into space in 1965. Limestone is plentiful in this part of the world, as the nearby abandoned Great Pyramid in Needmore and Joe Palooka statue in Oolitic attest. But limestone isn't as pretty as marble or as permanent as granite, and rain and snow have stained the rocket a dull gray.

It was erected on the spot once occupied by Gus's elementary school (Its bricks were used to make the surrounding wall). A sign in front, honoring Gus, is titled, "One of Ours" -- erected by the local Masons.

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Also see: Virgil I. Gus Grissom Memorial Museum

Gus Grissom Rocket Monument

Address:: 409 S. 6th St., Mitchell, IN
Directions:: Downtown, on the west side of S. 6th St. between College and Grissom Aves.
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

Nearby Offbeat Places

Gus Grissom Boyhood Home Museum, Mitchell, IN - < 1 mi.

Painting of the Gus Grissom Rocket Monument, Mitchell, IN - < 1 mi.

Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom Memorial Museum, Mitchell, IN - 3 mi.

In the region:

Longest Historic Covered Bridge in the USA, Medora, IN - 19 mi.

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