If you happen to be driving north on Oregon’s Hells Canyon Scenic Highway 82 in northeastern Oregon, just as you enter Wallowa, Oregon, on your left hand side, at 402 Wallowa Lake Hwy, you will find a pair of red roofed buildings. The first holds Melincko’s Museum. The smaller neighbor is Melincko’s Aero Cafe.
Founded by Laureano Mier, the museum and cafe opened July 3, 2020. The nearest airport is at Enterprise Municipal Airport (8S4) about 20 miles south on Highway 82.
According to their Facebook Page, “Melincko’s Museum is an eclectic fun place to learn about aviation through interactive exhibits, reader boards, and models. Talking towers help visitors self guide and learn about the rich history of flight.”
“Mier, who fell in love with airplanes and flying at age 8, was the educational director for the Evergreen Air Museum in McMinnville, and also directed the museum at Pearson Air Museum in Vancouver, Washington,” wrote Ellen Morris Bishop in her story on the Wallowa County Chieftain website. “His new museum endeavor evidences the same enthusiasm for eclectic aviation history that was evident in the McMinnville and Vancouver museums.”
The museum is a showcase of diverse memorabilia from wide swathes of aviation history. And if you happen to be in the mood for diner style bite to eat, the Aero Cafe’s simple menu is likely to fit the bill.
