Serving as the seat of Howard County, Kokomo is a historic industrial city north of Indianapolis. It is named after a Native American man Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo, the son of one of the last chiefs of the Miami people. Kokomo flourished in the late 19th century following the discovery of natural gas reserves, with many buildings dating from the period preserved within the Old Silk Stocking Historic District.
Things to do in Kokomo
Kokomo’s premier green space is Foster Park, which can be explored along the Walk of Excellence. Kids will love the skate park and “Willie the Whale”, an iconic, whitewashed sculpture that you can step inside. In the east of Foster Park is a World War II Sherman tank and the Kokomo Arts Pavilion where summer concerts are held.
One of Kokomo’s most magnificent buildings is the Seiberling Mansion, which was established in 1889 by Monroe Seiberling, the uncle of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company founder. Forming part of the Old Silk Stocking Historic District, it combines Queen-Anne and Romanesque Revival architectural styles and serves as the headquarters of the Howard County Historical Museum.
South of Kokomo is the Elwood Haynes Museum, which occupies the former mansion of the inventor of stainless steel. It was donated to the city by his daughter in 1965 and houses a museum dedicated to the inventor’s life and work. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the mansion is located across the street from Haynes’ private laboratory.
Getting around Kokomo
Kokomo is just over an hour's drive from Indianapolis and Indianapolis International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America. Long-distance buses connect to Kokomo while local services travel throughout the city. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around.