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🐊IN Rumor: A Gator Lives in a Bremen Pizza Place?
Small Town Breakdown #49
Austin Sellers & Nate Spangle
January 18, 2026
Bremen
Small Town Breakdown
From Governor Bowen's legacy to Wooden Peel pizza and Bremen Lions football, Bremen is a small town in northern Indiana worth the drive.
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Fast Facts
📍LOCATION: Northern Indiana (Michiana)
Bremen is located in the northeast corner of Marshall County.
U.S. Highway 6 runs east-west through town, leading east to Nappanee and west to LaPaz.
State Road 331 runs north-west through Bremen, leading north to Wyatt and south to Bourbon.
30 minutes south of South Bend
1 hour and 20 minutes northwest of Fort Wayne
2 hours and 15 minutes north of Indianapolis
👥 POPULATION & RANKING
4,603 residents (as of 2024)
Ranks as Indiana’s 140th-largest city
Second-largest incorporated town/city in Marshall County behind Plymouth (11,042)
📏 LAND AREA
2.83 square miles
📅 FOUNDED
Marshall County was formed by Indiana statute on Feb. 7, 1835, and was formally organized nearly a year later on Feb. 4, 1836.
It was named after the fourth chief justice of the United States, John Marshall, who remains the longest-serving chief justice in U.S. history.
Around the year 1840, the farming community in the area began to be called “New Bremen.”
Bremen was officially platted in 1851 by George Beyler, and it became incorporated in 1871.
Surrounded by rich black soil, Bremen was recognized as a leader in agriculture for its mint production.
Northern Indiana became known as the Mint Capital of the United States, and Bremen was given the nickname “Mint City.”
🏥 MAIN INDUSTRIES: Agriculture, Manufacturing
Nishikawa Cooper LLC is a global leader in advanced sealing and fluid handling systems for transportation and industrial markets.
Founded in 1939 as Bremen Grey Iron Foundry, BCI Solutions, Inc. is a family-owned business that has evolved into a full-service precision machining and manufacturing partner supplying the defense, automotive, and industrial sectors.
Historic Landmarks
Be sure to check out one of Bremen’s most recognizable attractions – The Bremen Water Tower, a 101-foot-tall standpipe. It is listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The Dietrich-Bowen House (also known as the Governor Bowen House), is also listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Bremen was the home of Otis Bowen, who lived in the house from 1953 to 1973. Bowen served as Indiana governor from 1973-81 before becoming Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Ronald Reagan from 1985-89.
Lions Pride
Bremen High School’s athletic teams are known as the Lions, and sports are a major source of community pride. The Lions have won three IHSAA state titles in school history.
Football has made four state championship game appearances, winning the 1A title in 1989 over Springs Valley (31-8) and the 2A title in 1994 over Evansville Mater Dei (38-10). The Lions lost in the 1988 1A championship to Sheridan 59-0, the third-worst margin of defeat in IHSAA football state finals history. They also dropped a nail-biter in the 1995 2A championship vs. North Montgomery, 20-17.
Softball secured Bremen’s third state championship, defeating Tecumseh in the 2019 2A title game 2-1. The softball team reached semi-state in 2005 and lost in the 2A state finals in both 2008 (2-1 vs. Cass) and 2018 (5-0 vs. Speedway).
Girls basketball is playing great hoops this year with an impressive 16-1 record. They won the sectional title in 2025, their eighth in program history. They’ve also scored three regional championships, with their 2024 regional title being their first since 1986.
Boys basketball has a strong tradition as well with nine sectional titles and a pair of 2A regional championships in 1998 and 1999. This year the Lions’ boys are off to a 9-0 start behind junior guard Chase Devine, who this season became the fifth player in Bremen history to reach 1,000 career points. He is on pace to become the school’s all-time leading scorer.
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Lions Prey
For Heaven Sakes Bakery had its grand opening on Jan. 24, 2025, replacing the beloved Mrs. T’s. It’s already established itself as a go-to spot for pastries and morning beverages. Their fruit pizza is heavenly, and you can’t go wrong with their brownies, cinnamon rolls, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, and cheesecakes. Stop by Tuesday through Friday from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
If you’re craving pizza for dinner, head to the recently expanded Wooden Peel, located just down Plymouth Street from For Heaven Sakes Bakery. Voted Best Pizza in Northern Indiana in 2015 and a 2024 and 2025 Pizza Marketplace Top 100 Movers & Shakers restaurant, they’re obviously doing something right with their ‘zas. Guests give them 4.5 stars on Google and rave about their breadsticks, hot honey pepperoni pizza, and garbage pizza. They’re open Tuesday through Thursday from 4-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4-10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Side note: there may be an alligator living in Wooden Peel’s basement.
Two gems just east of Bremen and across the road from each other are Dutch Maid Eatery & Gifts and Rentown Country Store.
Dutch Maid opened in 2015 and is known for its signature breakfast buffet every Saturday. They also sell everything from Amish food, jams, and jellies to candles, soaps, rugs, and art. They have 4.8 stars on Google among over 360 reviews.
Rentown makes the trip north worth it too, backed by 4.7 stars and almost 1,000 reviews on Google. It opened in 1987 and offers bulk foods, spices, meats, and the best bakery items and cheeses in northern Indiana.
Summer Festival
If your timing is right, the annual Bremen Firemen’s Festival is a summer hit. Enjoy the parade of over 100 entries, the Firemen’s 5K run/walk race that benefits the nonprofit Hoosier Burn Camp, carnival rides, vendors, and food tent.
Bremen Bits
Nature lovers can head a short drive west of town to Lake of the Woods, where hiking, fishing, and camping are the norm. It’s the go-to spot for summer living.
Hoople’s Bar & Grill was opened in 1882 by Civil War veteran CJ Hoople, making it one of Indiana’s oldest bars. Their burgers are simply outstanding.
The next time you’re exploring northern Indiana, swing through Bremen, one of Marshall County’s most recognizable towns.