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Kokomo, Indiana

 
Kokomo, Indiana

 
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Kokomo, Indiana
 
 
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Kokomo is a city in and the county seat
County seat

A county seat or parish seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there....
 of Howard County
Howard County, Indiana

Howard County is one of 92 counties in the U.S. state of Indiana. It is part of the Kokomo, Indiana, Indiana, Kokomo metropolitan area, which consists of Howard and Tipton County, Indiana counties....
, Indiana
Indiana

The State of Indiana was the 19th U.S. state admitted into the union. It is located in the Midwestern United States of the United States of America....
, United States
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
, Indiana's 13th largest city. It is the principal city of the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area
Kokomo metropolitan area

The Kokomo Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in Indiana, anchored by the city of Kokomo, Indiana....
, which includes all of Howard and Tipton
Tipton County, Indiana

Tipton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2000, the population was 16,577. It is included in the 'Kokomo, Indiana, Indiana Kokomo metropolitan area....
 counties.

Kokomo's population was 46,113 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000

File:US-Census-2000Logo.svgThe Twenty-Second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the United States Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons Enumeration during the United States Census, 1990....
.

mo was named after Miami Indian referred to as a chief, but later found to be local legend Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo
Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo

Chief Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo, sometimes referred as Koh-Koh-Mah or Kokomoko, was a chief of the Miami Indians. His name translates to Black Walnut.Kokomo, Indiana is named for Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo....
, which is sometimes spelled as Koh-Koh-Mah
Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo

Chief Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo, sometimes referred as Koh-Koh-Mah or Kokomoko, was a chief of the Miami Indians. His name translates to Black Walnut.Kokomo, Indiana is named for Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo....
 or Kokomoko
Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo

Chief Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo, sometimes referred as Koh-Koh-Mah or Kokomoko, was a chief of the Miami Indians. His name translates to Black Walnut.Kokomo, Indiana is named for Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo....
.His name translates to Black Walnut.There was a trading post for commerce between Native American
Native Americans in the United States

Native Americans in the United States are the Indigenous peoples of the Americas from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States United States, including parts of Alaska and the island state of Hawaii....
s and European-Americans here in the early 19th century.






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Encyclopedia


Kokomo is a city in and the county seat
County seat

A county seat or parish seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there....
 of Howard County
Howard County, Indiana

Howard County is one of 92 counties in the U.S. state of Indiana. It is part of the Kokomo, Indiana, Indiana, Kokomo metropolitan area, which consists of Howard and Tipton County, Indiana counties....
, Indiana
Indiana

The State of Indiana was the 19th U.S. state admitted into the union. It is located in the Midwestern United States of the United States of America....
, United States
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
, Indiana's 13th largest city. It is the principal city of the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area
Kokomo metropolitan area

The Kokomo Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in Indiana, anchored by the city of Kokomo, Indiana....
, which includes all of Howard and Tipton
Tipton County, Indiana

Tipton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2000, the population was 16,577. It is included in the 'Kokomo, Indiana, Indiana Kokomo metropolitan area....
 counties.

Kokomo's population was 46,113 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000

File:US-Census-2000Logo.svgThe Twenty-Second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the United States Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons Enumeration during the United States Census, 1990....
.

History

Kokomo Indiana Courthouse
Kokomo was named after Miami Indian referred to as a chief, but later found to be local legend Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo
Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo

Chief Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo, sometimes referred as Koh-Koh-Mah or Kokomoko, was a chief of the Miami Indians. His name translates to Black Walnut.Kokomo, Indiana is named for Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo....
, which is sometimes spelled as Koh-Koh-Mah
Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo

Chief Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo, sometimes referred as Koh-Koh-Mah or Kokomoko, was a chief of the Miami Indians. His name translates to Black Walnut.Kokomo, Indiana is named for Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo....
 or Kokomoko
Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo

Chief Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo, sometimes referred as Koh-Koh-Mah or Kokomoko, was a chief of the Miami Indians. His name translates to Black Walnut.Kokomo, Indiana is named for Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo....
.His name translates to Black Walnut.There was a trading post for commerce between Native American
Native Americans in the United States

Native Americans in the United States are the Indigenous peoples of the Americas from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States United States, including parts of Alaska and the island state of Hawaii....
s and European-Americans here in the early 19th century. David Foster founded the first trading post in Howard County. In 1844, Foster donated of his land to create a county seat
County seat

A county seat or parish seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there....
 in Kokomo, which was a log courthouse, for use in the community. It was incorporated as a city in 1865. Kokomo is officially known as the "City of Firsts" for, among other achievements, being a pioneer of United States automobile manufacturing, with Elwood Haynes test-driving his early internal combustion engine auto there on July 4, 1894. Haynes and his associates built a number of other autos over the next few years; the Haynes-Apperson Automobile Company for mass-production of commercial autos was established in Kokomo in 1898. Haynes went on to invent Stainless Steel flatware in 1912 to give his wife tarnish-free dinnerware. In 1938, the Delco Radio Division of General Motors (now Delphi) developed the first push button car radio.

On October 6, 1886, natural gas
Natural gas

Natural gas is a gas consisting primarily of methane. It is found associated with fossil fuels, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is created by methanogenic organisms in marshes, bogs, and landfills....
 was discovered in Kokomo, leading to a "boom" in business. This discovery was directly responsible for Elwood Haynes' move to Kokomo, as he was a superintendent with a gas company with interests in Kokomo and Howard County. The Diamond Plate Glass Company began in Kokomo in 1887, lured by the cheap and plentiful natural gas. This company later became part of Pittsburgh Plate Glass, or PPG.

A more reluctant notoriety of Kokomo was the involvement of local citizens in the Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan

Ku Klux Klan is the name of several past and present secret domestic militant organizations in the United States, originating in the southern states and eventually having national scope, that are best known for advocating white supremacy and acting as terrorists while hidden behind conical hats, masks and white robes....
. There had been large numbers of followers for years, which culminated on July 4, 1923, with the largest gathering of Ku Klux Klan members in history, which assembled at Malfalfa Park in Kokomo for a mighty Konklave. Attendance is estimated to have been 200,000 people.

Kokomo serves as the "City of Firsts" in the food industry as well. In 1928 Walter Kemp, Kemp Brothers Canning Co. developed the first canned tomato juice because of a request by a physician in search for baby food for his clinic. Kokomo is also home to the first mechanical corn picker which was developed by a man named John Powell in the early 1920s. In modern times, Kokomo was home to the first Ponderosa Steakhouse Kokomo opened the first McDonald's
McDonald's

McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of fast food restaurants, serving nearly 58 million customers daily. McDonald's primarily sells hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken products, French fries, breakfast items, soft drinks, milkshakes, and desserts....
 with a diner inside, locally called "McDiner." This McDonald's theme failed nationally.Eventually, the "McDiner" closed and was converted back to a regular McDonald's restaurant. Kokomo also opened the first Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., is a chain of "Old Country Stores," each combining a retail Variety store and a restaurant.As of October 2008, the company, founded and based in Lebanon, Tennessee, Tennessee, was operating 581 full service locations located in 41 states in the United States....
 not built near an interstate highwayas well as the first Starbucks
Starbucks

Starbucks Corporation is an international coffee and List of coffeehouse chains based in Seattle, Washington, United States. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 16,120 stores in 44 countries....
 Coffee not built in a metropolitan area.

Much of the town was destroyed on April 11, 1965, by an F4 tornado that was part of the Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak.

Ryan White
Ryan White

Ryan Wayne White was an United States teenager from Kokomo, Indiana who became a national poster child for HIV/AIDS in the United States after being expelled from school because of his infection....
 was a teenager from Kokomo who became a national poster child for HIV/AIDS after being expelled from school because of his infection.

Gas tower

The Kokomo Gas Tower had been a symbol of Kokomo since it was constructed in 1954. The tower was 115 m (378 ft) tall and had a capacity of 340,000 m³ (12 million cubic feet). Due to high maintenance costs of $75,000 a year to maintain and up to $1,000,000 to paint, the gas company decided to demolish it in 2003. Other ideas were reviewed before settling on this decision, including a plan to turn the tower into a giant Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is a carbonation soft drink sold in stores, restaurants and vending machines worldwide . It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke or as Cola or Pop....
 advertisement. On September 7, 2003, at approximately 7:30 a.m., the Gas Tower was demolished by Controlled Demolition, Inc. (CDI). Pieces of the tower were sold to the public for $20-30, and proceeds went to a planned Kokomo technology incubation center and Bona Vista
Bona Vista (charity)

Bona Vista is a Non-profit organization rehabilitation center based in Howard County, Indiana and Miami County, Indiana in Indiana that was founded in the 1960s as a developmental school....
.

Demographics


Kokomo is the larger principal city of the Kokomo-Peru CSA
Kokomo metropolitan area

The Kokomo Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in Indiana, anchored by the city of Kokomo, Indiana....
, a Combined Statistical Area
Combined Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget defines United States micropolitan area and United States metropolitan area. Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas consist of one or more counties ....
 that includes the Kokomo metropolitan area
Kokomo metropolitan area

The Kokomo Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in Indiana, anchored by the city of Kokomo, Indiana....
 (Howard and Tipton
Tipton County, Indiana

Tipton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2000, the population was 16,577. It is included in the 'Kokomo, Indiana, Indiana Kokomo metropolitan area....
 counties) and the Peru micropolitan area
Miami County, Indiana

Miami County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2000, the population was 36,082. The county seat is Peru, Indiana....
 (Miami County
Miami County, Indiana

Miami County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2000, the population was 36,082. The county seat is Peru, Indiana....
), which had a combined population of 137,623 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000

File:US-Census-2000Logo.svgThe Twenty-Second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the United States Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons Enumeration during the United States Census, 1990....
.

As of the census
Census

A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population....
 of 2000, there were 46,113 people, 20,273 households, and 12,204 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density

Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans....
 was 2,847.2 people per square mile (1,099.0/km²). There were 22,292 housing units at an average density of 1,376.4/sq mi (531.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.10% White, 10.34% African American, 0.38% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.17% from other races
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, and 1.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.61% of the population.

There were 20,273 households out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples
Marriage

Marriage is a social, spirituality, or law union of individuals. This union may also be called matrimony, while the ceremony that marks its beginning is usually called a wedding and the married status created is sometimes called wedlock....
 living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.

The median income for a households in the city was $36,258, and the median income for a family was $45,353. Males had a median income of $38,420 versus $24,868 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income

Per capita income means how much each individual receives, in monetary terms, of the yearly income generated in the country. This is what each citizen is to receive if the yearly national income is divided equally among everyone....
 for the city was $20,083. About 9.6% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.5% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

In Dec. 2008 Kokomo was listed third by Forbes
Forbes

Forbes is an United States publishing and mass media company. Its flagship publication, Forbes magazine, is published bi-weekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune , which is also published bi-weekly, and Business Week....
 in a list of America
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
's fastest dying towns. This is attributed to the financial problems of the automotive industry.

"City of Firsts" inventions

  • 1894 - Elwood Haynes
    Elwood Haynes

    Elwood Haynes was an American inventor, Metallurgy, and automotive pioneer.He built his first car in Kokomo, Indiana, using, like many other pioneers, bicycle wheels....
     makes the first successful trial run of his "horseless carriage" on Pumpkinvine Pike, which is now Boulevard east of U.S.31.
  • 1894 - The first pneumatic rubber tire was invented by D.C. Spraker at the Kokomo Rubber Tire Company.
  • 1895 - The first aluminum casting was developed by William "Billy" Johnson from the Ford and Donnelly Foundry.
  • 1902 - Kingston carburetor developed by George Kingston
    George Kingston (carburetor)

    George Kingston invented the Kingston carburetor in 1902, in Kokomo, IN. Mr. Kingston was born in Michigan on March 22, 1863, and died on Feb....
    .
  • 1906 - The first Stellite
    Stellite

    Stellite alloy is a range of cobalt-chromium alloys designed for wear resistance. It may also contain tungsten and a small but important amount of carbon....
     cobalt-base alloy was discovered by Elwood Haynes
    Elwood Haynes

    Elwood Haynes was an American inventor, Metallurgy, and automotive pioneer.He built his first car in Kokomo, Indiana, using, like many other pioneers, bicycle wheels....
    .
  • 1912 - Stainless steel
    Stainless steel

    In metallurgy, stainless steel is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10% chromium content by mass. Stainless steel does not stain, corrode, or rust as easily as ordinary steel , but it is not stain-proof....
     tableware was invented by Elwood Haynes
    Elwood Haynes

    Elwood Haynes was an American inventor, Metallurgy, and automotive pioneer.He built his first car in Kokomo, Indiana, using, like many other pioneers, bicycle wheels....
     as a response to his wife's desire for tableware that wouldn't tarnish.
  • 1918 - The Howitzer shell, used in World War I
    World War I

    World War I, or the First World War , was a global military conflict which involved the Great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies of World War I and the Central Powers....
    , was created by the Superior Machine Tool Company.
  • 1918 - The first aerial bomb with fins was first produced by the Liberty Pressed Metal Company.
  • 1920 - The mechanical corn picker was created by John Powell.
  • 1926 - Carl Molin developed Dirilyte golden-hued tableware.
  • 1928 - The first canned tomato juice
    Tomato juice

    Tomato juice is a juice made from squeezed tomatoes. It is usually used as a beverage, either plain or in cocktails such as a Bloody Mary ....
     was created by Walter Kemp from Kemp Brothers Canning Company in response to a physician's need for baby food.
  • 1938 - The first push-button car radio was created at Delco
    Delco

    Delco may refer to:* Delaware County, Pennsylvania* Delco, North Carolina* Delco Electronics...
     Radio Division of General Motors
    General Motors

    General Motors Corporation , founded in 1908, is the world's second-largest automaker after Toyota, ranked by 2008 global unit sales. GM was the global sales leader for 77 consecutive calendar years from 1931 to 2008....
     Corporation.
  • 1941 - Globe American Stove Company manufactured the first all-metal life boats and rafts.
  • 1947 - The first signal-seeking car radio was created by the Delco Radio Division of General Motors
    General Motors

    General Motors Corporation , founded in 1908, is the world's second-largest automaker after Toyota, ranked by 2008 global unit sales. GM was the global sales leader for 77 consecutive calendar years from 1931 to 2008....
    .
  • 1957 - Delco Radio Division of General Motors
    General Motors

    General Motors Corporation , founded in 1908, is the world's second-largest automaker after Toyota, ranked by 2008 global unit sales. GM was the global sales leader for 77 consecutive calendar years from 1931 to 2008....
     developed the first all transistor car radio.


Government

Kokomo Indiana City Hall

Mayor

Kokomo's current mayor is (Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)

The Democratic Party is one of two major party contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party . It is the oldest political party in continuous operation in the United States and it is one of the oldest parties in the world....
) Greg Goodnight (2008-present). The two previous mayors have been (Republican
Republican Party (United States)

The Republican Party is one of the two major party contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party . It is often called the Grand Old Party or the GOP....
) Matt McKillip (2004-2008) and (Republican
Republican Party (United States)

The Republican Party is one of the two major party contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party . It is often called the Grand Old Party or the GOP....
) Jim Trobaugh.

Future Plans


US 31

A major roadway traversing through Kokomo, U.S. Route 31
U.S. Route 31

U.S. Route 31 is a long north-south highway connecting northern Michigan to southern Alabama, with termini at Interstate 75 near Mackinaw City, Michigan, Michigan, and U.S....
 has become one of the state's most congested roadways. In Howard County, there are currently 15 traffic signals on US 31. US 31 connects Indianapolis, Kokomo, and South Bend.In the next decade, Kokomo, will see a new interstate-style roadway on the East side of city limits.It will have interchanges at SR 26, Boulevard, Markland Avenue, Touby Pike, as well as where the current US 31 meets the new US 31.There will be similar changes to areas near South Bend and Indianapolis. The reconstruction in Howard County, will cost roughly $340 million. Construction started on the County Road 200 South bridge on November 1, 2008 and construction will continue for the next 6 years.

Media


Newspapers

  • Kokomo Tribune
    Kokomo Tribune

    The Kokomo Tribune is based in downtown Kokomo, Indiana, United States. It is owned by Community Newspaper Holdings Inc.An award-winning daily newspaper, the Tribune was cited by the Audit Bureau of Circulation for the nation's highest market penetration for eight years in the 1970s; honored with the state's Century Business Award i...
    , daily morning newspaper owned by Community Newspaper Holdings
    Community Newspaper Holdings

    Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. is a publisher of newspapers and advertising-related publications throughout the eastern part of the United States....
     Inc. (CNHI).
  • Kokomo Perspective
    Kokomo Perspective

    The Kokomo Perspective is a broadsheet weekly newspaper serving Kokomo, Indiana, established in 1989, with almost exclusively local content....
    , a locally-owned weekly newspaper delivered every Tuesday or Wednesday.
  • Kokomo Herald, weekly newspaper
  • The Correspondent, IU-Kokomo student newspaper


Television

  • WTTK-TV
    WTTV

    WTTV, channel 4, is a television station city of license to Bloomington, Indiana, serving as the CW Television Network affiliate for the Indianapolis, Indiana television market....
    , The CW affiliate, channel 29
  • WKGK-TV, Independent, channel 48 (Currently For Sale)
  • KGOV, Kokomo government access channel
    Public Access

    Public Access is a 1993 film directed by Bryan Singer, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Christopher McQuarrie, and Michael Feit Dougan....
    , channel 2


Radio

  • WFIU-FM, Jazz, Classical, NPR- 106.1 FM
  • WFRN-FM, Christian Radio- 93.7 FM
  • WIOU-AM
    WIOU (AM)

    WIOU, is an AM radio station owned by Mid America Radio Group of Indiana in Kokomo, Indiana. The station operates on the AM radio frequency of 1350 kHz....
    , Talk, News and Sports- 1350 AM
  • WIWC-FM, Christian Radio- 91.7 FM
  • WMYK-FM
    WMYK-FM

    WMYK is an FM radio station owned by Mid America Radio Group of Indiana in Kokomo, Indiana. The station operates on the FM radio frequency of 98.5 MHz....
    , Classic Rock- 98.5 FM
  • WSHW-FM
    WSHW-FM

    WSHW, "Shine 99" is an FM radio station owned by Kaspar Broadcasting in Frankfort, Indiana. The station operates on the FM radio frequency of 99.7 mHz....
    , Light Rock- 99.7 FM
  • WWKI-FM
    WWKI-FM

    WWKI, "KI" is an FM radio station owned by Citadel Broadcasting in Kokomo, Indiana. The station operates on the FM radio frequency of 100.5 megahertz....
    , Hit Country- 100.5 FM
  • WZWZ-FM
    WZWZ-FM

    WZWZ is an FM radio station owned by Mid America Radio Group of Indiana in Kokomo, Indiana. The station operates on the FM radio frequency of 92.5 mHz....
    , Adult Alternative- 92.5 FM


Education


Colleges/universities

  • Indiana University Kokomo
    Indiana University Kokomo

    Indiana University Kokomo is a regional campus in the Indiana University system located in Kokomo, Indiana....
      (IUK)
  • Indiana Wesleyan University
    Indiana Wesleyan University

    Indiana Wesleyan University is a private, Evangelical Christian, liberal arts university located in Marion, Indiana that is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church Christian denomination....
     - Kokomo Campus
  • Ivy Tech Community College
  • Purdue College of Technology
    Purdue University System

    Purdue University System is a public university university system within the U.S. State of Indiana that is anchored by the main campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana that is a public university land-grant university....
     


School districts


Public
  • Kokomo-Center Township Consolidated School Corporation
    Kokomo-Center Township Consolidated School Corporation

    Kokomo-Center Township Consolidated School Corporation is located in Kokomo, Indiana and is Howard County, Indiana's largest school district....
      (K-12) Kokomo High School
    Kokomo High School

    Kokomo High School is a four-year comprehensive secondary school in Kokomo, Indiana, Indiana. The school is the only high school in the Kokomo-Center Township School Corporation....
     (NCC)
    North Central Conference of Indiana

    The North Central Conference, or NCC, is a high school athletic conference which is located in north central and east central Indiana. This conference serves many high schools located in Cass County, Indiana; Delaware County, Indiana; Grant County, Indiana; Henry County, Indiana; Howard County, Indiana; Huntington County, Indiana; Madison Co...
  • Eastern Howard School Corporation
    Eastern Howard School Corporation

    Eastern Howard School Corporation is located in Greentown, Indiana, Indiana. Eastern Schools is a public school district which serves Greentown, Indiana and eastern Howard County, Indiana....
      (K-12, Greentown, Indiana
    Greentown, Indiana

    Greentown is a town in Liberty Township, Howard County, Indiana, Howard County, Indiana, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,463 at the 2006 census....
    ) (MIC)
    Mid-Indiana Conference (MIC)

    The Mid-Indiana Conference, or MIC, is a high school athletic conference which is located in northcentral Indiana, USA. This conference serves many high schools located in Cass County, Indiana, Hamilton County, Indiana, Howard County, Indiana, and Miami County, Indiana Counties....
  • Northwestern School Corporation
    Northwestern School Corporation

    Northwestern School Corporation is a public school corporation located in Howard County, Indiana. The school district serves extreme northwestern Howard County, portions of Kokomo, Indiana and extreme northern Howard County....
      (K-12) (MIC)
    Mid-Indiana Conference (MIC)

    The Mid-Indiana Conference, or MIC, is a high school athletic conference which is located in northcentral Indiana, USA. This conference serves many high schools located in Cass County, Indiana, Hamilton County, Indiana, Howard County, Indiana, and Miami County, Indiana Counties....
  • Taylor Community School Corporation
    Taylor Community School Corporation

    Taylor Community School Corporation is a public school district in Howard County, Indiana. The school district serves extreme southern Kokomo, Indiana; Indian Heights, Indiana; and the entity of Taylor Township ....
     (K-12, Center, Indiana
    Center, Indiana

    Center is an unincorporated town in Taylor Township, Howard County, Indiana, Howard County, Indiana, Indiana, United States. Center is a suburb of Kokomo, Indiana and is a part of the Kokomo, Indiana Kokomo metropolitan area....
    ) (MIC)
    Mid-Indiana Conference (MIC)

    The Mid-Indiana Conference, or MIC, is a high school athletic conference which is located in northcentral Indiana, USA. This conference serves many high schools located in Cass County, Indiana, Hamilton County, Indiana, Howard County, Indiana, and Miami County, Indiana Counties....
  • Western School Corporation
    Western School Corporation

    Western School Corporation is a public school district which serves Russiaville, Indiana, Alto, Indiana, New London, Indiana, West Middleton, Indiana, and southwestern Kokomo, Indiana in Howard County, Indiana....
      (K-12, Russiaville, Indiana
    Russiaville, Indiana

    Russiaville is a town in Honey Creek Township, Howard County, Indiana, Howard County, Indiana, Indiana, United States, ZIP code 46979, telephone exchange 883-xxxx....
    ) (MIC)
    Mid-Indiana Conference (MIC)

    The Mid-Indiana Conference, or MIC, is a high school athletic conference which is located in northcentral Indiana, USA. This conference serves many high schools located in Cass County, Indiana, Hamilton County, Indiana, Howard County, Indiana, and Miami County, Indiana Counties....


Private
  • Kokomo Christian School (K-5)
  • Redeemer Lutheran School (K-8)
  • St. Joan of Arc and St. Patrick Catholic School (K-8)


Culture


Attractions


Howard County Historical Society
The Howard County Historical Society is a major attraction in the city of Kokomo. It occupies the Seiberling Mansion, the Elliot House, and their carriage houses. The Seiberling Mansion was originally the residence of one of Kokomo's richest citizens, Monroe Seiberling. The Seiberling Mansion has been on the National Registor for Historic Places since 1972. The Elliot House also began as a residence and was then converted into office space. The HCHS campus is a popular venue for weddings with permitting weather. During the winter the HCHS has 'Christmas at the Seiberling' a event which has activities for all ages, Including Santa Claus for children as well as tours of buildings. The Lighting of the building and the carriage rides through the Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood are the The HCHS resides in the Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood
Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood

The Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood is the historic district near downtown Kokomo, Indiana, and the Westside Business District. In 1886, Indiana Gas Boom in north central Indiana, and exploded with people and then developed the neighborhood....
 which is an attraction in itself. The neighborhood is on the National Register for Historic Places and is the only neighborhood in Howard County on the register.

Kokomo Parks
Old Ben
Vermont Covered Bridge
* , a stuffed Hereford steer at Highland Park
  • , located in Highland Park
  • , a large stump at Highland Park
  • , located at Jackson Morrow Park
  • , nature center located at Jackson Morrow Park

  • , located next to Highland Park
  • (located on US 31 North)
  • Chief Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo Burial and Monument, east of downtown Kokomo
  • Kokomo Country Club
    Kokomo Country Club

    Kokomo Country Club is a private country club in Kokomo, Indiana. The club was established in 1904 to provide a course for local golf enthusiast....
    , golf club


Festivals

  • Kokomo Rib Fest, mid-June, downtown
  • City of Firsts Soapbox Derby, Last Saturday in June
  • , Independence Day weekend
  • Howard County 4-H Fair, mid-July , in Greentown
    Greentown, Indiana

    Greentown is a town in Liberty Township, Howard County, Indiana, Howard County, Indiana, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,463 at the 2006 census....
    , Indiana
    Indiana

    The State of Indiana was the 19th U.S. state admitted into the union. It is located in the Midwestern United States of the United States of America....
  • Taste of Kokomo Festival, mid-August, downtown
  • , mid-September
  • Oktober Fest, 1st Saturday in October, downtown
  • New Years Ball Drop, December 31 at Downtown Square


For more information visit

Sports teams

  • Indiana Mustangs
    Indiana Mustangs

    The Indiana Mustangs American football club is a Mid Continental Football League team based in Noblesville, Indiana. The team was founded in 1991 as the Kokomo Mustangs....
     , Mid Continental Football League
    Mid Continental Football League

    The Mid Continental Football League is a semi-professional American football league formed in 1991. Teams usually consist of unpaid athletes and volunteer staff working together to field a competitive and professional product both on and off the field....
     (1991-2007)
  • Kokomo Dodgers
    Kokomo Dodgers

    The Kokomo Dodgers were a minor league baseball team based in Kokomo, Indiana that played in the Midwest League. They were affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers and operated from 1956 through 1961....
    , Midwest League
    Midwest League

    The Midwest League is a Class A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States....
     (1955-1961)
  • Kokomo CFD Saints , semi-pro baseball (1989-2002)
  • Kokomo CFD Knights , semi-pro baseball - (2006-2007)


Sports venues

  • CFD Investments Stadium in Highland Park
  • Kokomo Speedway
  • Memorial Gym


Major employers

  • Chrysler LLC
    • Kokomo Transmission
      Kokomo Transmission

      Kokomo Transmission is a Chrysler automobile factory in Kokomo, Indiana. The factory opened in 1956.Historic products:* Chrysler 45RFE transmission...
       Plant (4,200 employees)
    • Kokomo Casting
      Kokomo Casting

      Kokomo Casting is a Chrysler automobile factory in Kokomo, Indiana. The factory opened in 1965 and was expanded in 1969, 1986, 1995, and 1997. It is the largest die casting factory in the world....
       Plant (1,115 employees)
    • Indiana Transmission
      Indiana Transmission

      Indiana Transmission is a Chrysler automobile factory in Kokomo, Indiana. The first plant, Indiana Transmission I, opened in 1998 and the second opened in 2003....
       Plant #1 (1,898 employees)
    • Indiana Transmission
      Indiana Transmission

      Indiana Transmission is a Chrysler automobile factory in Kokomo, Indiana. The first plant, Indiana Transmission I, opened in 1998 and the second opened in 2003....
       Plant #2 (482 employees)
  • Delphi Corporation
    • Electronics & Safety World Headquarters
  • Haynes International
  • Holder Mattress
  • Syndicate Sales, Inc.
  • Coca-Cola
    Coca-Cola

    Coca-Cola is a carbonation soft drink sold in stores, restaurants and vending machines worldwide . It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke or as Cola or Pop....
     bottling plant
  • Electronic Data Systems
    Electronic Data Systems

    Electronic Data Systems, an HP Company, commonly EDS, is a global business and technology services company headquartered in Plano, Texas that defined the outsourcing business when it was established in 1962 by Ross Perot....
    (EDS)


Transportation

Airports


Highways
Kokomo Indiana Us31
  • Us 31
    US-31
    U.S. Route 31

    U.S. Route 31 is a long north-south highway connecting northern Michigan to southern Alabama, with termini at Interstate 75 near Mackinaw City, Michigan, Michigan, and U.S....
     to South Bend
    South Bend, Indiana

    South Bend is a city on the St._Joseph_River_ and a Twin cities of Mishawaka, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total of 107,789 residents; its South Bend-Mishawaka metropolitan area had a population of 316,663....
     (North) and Indianapolis
    Indianapolis, Indiana

    Indianapolis is the Capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. The United States Census estimated the city's population, Indianapolis , Indiana the Unigov, at 795,458 in 2006....
     (South)
  • Us 35
    US-35
    U.S. Route 35

    U.S. Route 35 is a north-south United States highway that runs northwest-southeast for approximately from northern Indiana to the western suburbs of Charleston, West Virginia, West Virginia....
     to Logansport
    Logansport, Indiana

    Logansport is a city in Cass County, Indiana, Indiana, United States. The population was 19,350 at the 2006 census. The city is the county seat of Cass County, Indiana....
     (North) and Muncie
    Muncie, Indiana

    Muncie is a city in Center Township, Delaware County, Indiana, Delaware County, Indiana in east central Indiana, best known as the home of Ball State University and the birthplace of the Ball Corporation....
     (South)
  • IN-19
    Indiana State Road 19

    State Road 19 in the U.S. state of Indiana begins at Indiana State Road 32 in Noblesville, Indiana in the south, and runs north to the Michigan state line just north of Elkhart, Indiana, a distance of ....
     to Kokomo Reservoir (North) and Tipton
    Tipton, Indiana

    Tipton is a city in and the county seat of Tipton County, Indiana, Indiana, United States. The population was 5,337 at the 2006 census. It is part of the 'Kokomo, Indiana Kokomo metropolitan area ....
     (South)
  • IN-22
    Indiana State Road 22

    State Road 22 in the U.S. state of Indiana is a major thoroughfare from Kokomo, Indiana to Interstate 69. The highway is concurrent with U.S. Route 35 from Kokomo to Interstate 69....
     to Burlington
    Burlington, Indiana

    Burlington is a town in Burlington Township, Carroll County, Indiana, Carroll County, Indiana, Indiana, United States. The population was 449 at the 2006 census....
     (West) and Hartford City
    Hartford City, Indiana

    Hartford City is a city in Blackford County, Indiana, Indiana, United States. The population was 6,928 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Blackford County, Indiana....
     (East)
  • IN-26
    Indiana State Road 26

    State Road 26 is an east-west road in central Indiana in the United States that crosses the entire state from east to west, covering a distance of about ....
     to Lafayette
    Lafayette, Indiana

    Lafayette is a city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Indiana, United States, 63 miles northwest of Indianapolis, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,397....
     (West) and Hartford City
    Hartford City, Indiana

    Hartford City is a city in Blackford County, Indiana, Indiana, United States. The population was 6,928 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Blackford County, Indiana....
     (East)


Railroads
  • Central Railroad Company of Indianapolis
  • Norfolk Southern Railway
    Norfolk Southern Railway

    The Norfolk Southern Railway is a major Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. The company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada....
  • Winimac Southern Railroad (formerly part of the Columbus to Chicago Main Line
    Main Line (Columbus to Chicago)

    The Columbus to Chicago Main Line was a rail line owned and operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the U.S. states of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois....
    )


Notable people and groups from Kokomo

  • Jack Purvis
    Jack Purvis

    Jack Purvis was an United States jazz musician.Purvis was best known as a trumpet player and the composer of Dismal Dan and Down Georgia Way....
    , Jazz
    Jazz

    Jazz is a primarily American musical art form which originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States from a confluence of African and European music traditions....
     musician
  • Sylvia Jane Kirby, singer
  • John O'Banion
    John O'Banion

    John O'Banion was an United States singer and actor....
    , singer
  • Ryan White
    Ryan White

    Ryan Wayne White was an United States teenager from Kokomo, Indiana who became a national poster child for HIV/AIDS in the United States after being expelled from school because of his infection....
    , AIDS
    AIDS

    Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the HIV ....
     activist
  • Rupert Boneham
    Rupert Boneham

    Rupert Boneham is an United States mentor for troubled teens. In 2004, he was a contestant on Survivor: Pearl Islands and Survivor: All-Stars, and subsequently became one of the most well-known stars of American reality television....
    , Survivor contestant
  • Elwood Haynes
    Elwood Haynes

    Elwood Haynes was an American inventor, Metallurgy, and automotive pioneer.He built his first car in Kokomo, Indiana, using, like many other pioneers, bicycle wheels....
    , inventor, automotive pioneer
  • Elmer and Edgar Apperson
    Apperson

    The Apperson was a brand of United States automobile manufactured from 1902 to 1926 in Kokomo, Indiana, Indiana....
    , automotive pioneers
  • Steve Butler, six-time Sprint Car National Champion
  • Steve Kroft
    Steve Kroft

    Steve Kroft is an United States journalist and a longtime correspondent for 60 Minutes. His investigative reporting has garnered him much acclaim, including three Peabody Awards and nine Emmy awards, one of which was an Emmy for Lifetime Achievement....
    , 60 Minutes
    60 Minutes

    or 60 Minutes 60 Minutes is an United States investigative television newsmagazine on United States television, which has run on CBS News since 1968....
     correspondent
  • John D. Shearer
    John D. Shearer

    John D. Shearer is a freelance photographer. His work has been published in numerous publications including Rolling Stone Magazine, Spin Magazine, Paste Magazine, Signal to Noise Magazine, Teen People Magazine, People.com and VanityFair.com....
    , photographer
  • Norman Bridwell
    Norman Bridwell

    Norman Bridwell is an United States author and cartoonist, best-known for the Clifford the Big Red Dog series of children's books. Bridwell attended John Herron School of Art and Cooper Union in Indianapolis, Indiana....
    , author of the Clifford the Big Red Dog
    Clifford the Big Red Dog

    Clifford the Big Red Dog is an enduring American children's book series first published in 1963. Written by Norman Bridwell, the series helped establish Scholastic Press as a premier publishing company....
     books
  • Strother Martin
    Strother Martin

    Strother Martin was an United States actor in numerous films and television programs. Martin is perhaps best known as the prison "captain" in the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke, where he uttered the classic line, "What we've got here is failure to communicate."...
    , actor
  • Bob Ford
    Bob Ford

    Robert Alan Ford is a retired American basketball player in the American Basketball Association . He played college basketball at Purdue University before playing briefly for the Memphis Tams in the 1972-73 season, averaging 1.6 points and 1.3 rebounds in nine games played....
    , national-award winning sports editor for the Kokomo Tribune
    Kokomo Tribune

    The Kokomo Tribune is based in downtown Kokomo, Indiana, United States. It is owned by Community Newspaper Holdings Inc.An award-winning daily newspaper, the Tribune was cited by the Audit Bureau of Circulation for the nation's highest market penetration for eight years in the 1970s; honored with the state's Century Business Award i...
    .
  • Kaitlyn Christopher
    Kaitlyn Christopher

    Kaitlyn Marie Christopher is a beauty queen who has held the title Miss Indiana USA and competed at Miss USA.Christopher was crowned Miss Indiana USA 2005 on November 14 2004....
    , Miss Indiana USA
    Miss Indiana USA

    The Miss Indiana USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Indiana in the Miss USA pageant.Seven Miss Indiana USA winners previously competed Miss Teen USA, more than any other state....
     2005
  • Floyd Talbert
    Floyd Talbert

    Floyd Talbert was one of the soldiers whose experiences were chronicled in Band of Brothers, the book by Stephen Ambrose .Talbert was deployed in Easy Company, 101st Airborne Division , in 1942 as part of Operation Overlord....
    , soldier (of Band of Brothers fame)
  • John Oetjen, Grammy Award
    Grammy Award

    The Grammy Awards ?or Grammys?are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States for outstanding achievements in the music industry....
     winner, television and film producer
  • Joe Thatcher
    Joe Thatcher

    Joseph Thatcher During the offseason, he resides in Kokomo, Indiana and enjoys playing golf on his down time. Both of his sisters played for the Indiana State University women's basketball team....
    , pitcher for MLB San Diego Padres
    San Diego Padres

    The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California since their founding in 1969. They play in the National League West....
  • Jimmy Rayl
    Jimmy Rayl

    Jimmy Rayl, Indiana Pacers. Born in Kokomo, Indiana. Parents were Dude Rayl a local Pontiac dealer and Lucille a musician. Jimmy was the 1959 Mr. Basketball and 1959 Trester Award winner for the state of Indiana....
    , Splendid Splinter, Indiana Pacers
    Indiana Pacers

    The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team that plays in the National Basketball Association . The team is based in the state's capital and largest city, Indianapolis, Indiana, located in the center of the state....
     1967-1969, two-time All-American Indiana University
    Indiana University

    Indiana University, founded in 1820, is a nine-campus university system in the state of Indiana. The IU system includes the following campuses:...
  • Pat Underwood
    Pat Underwood

    Patrick John Underwood was a Major League Baseball Pitcher from to .Underwood was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 1st round of the 1976 Major League Baseball Draft, as the second pick overall....
    , former MLB pitcher, Detroit Tigers
    Detroit Tigers

    The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit, Michigan in ....
  • Tom Underwood
    Tom Underwood

    Thomas Gerald Underwood was a Pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies , St. Louis Cardinals , Toronto Blue Jays , New York Yankees , Oakland Athletics and Baltimore Orioles ....
    , former MLB pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies
    Philadelphia Phillies

    The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and are the reigning 2008 World Series champions....
    , St. Louis Cardinals
    St. Louis Cardinals

    The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the National League Central in the National League of Major League Baseball....
    , Toronto Blue Jays
    Toronto Blue Jays

    The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the American League East of Major League Baseball 's American League....
    , New York Yankees
    New York Yankees

    The New York Yankees are a professional baseball based in the Borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of the American League East of Major League Baseball's American League....
    , Oakland A's, and Baltimore Orioles
    Baltimore Orioles

    The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball based in Baltimore. They are a member of the American League East of Major League Baseball's American League....
  • Breaksk8
    Breaksk8

    Breaksk8 is an all-male crew of professional dancers on quad rollerskates, established in 2001 and based out of Kokomo, Indiana.The jam skating group was created by Shannon Anthony in 2001....
     Jamskate crew
  • Tavis Smiley
    Tavis Smiley

    Tavis Smiley is an African American author, journalist, political commentator, and talk show host....
    , PBS
  • Alicia Berneche
    Alicia Berneche

    Alicia Berneche is an American lyric coloratura soprano who has sung leading roles in operas throughout the United States.Berneche was born in Kokomo, Indiana and went to Kokomo High School where she played violin and starred in school plays....
     operatic soprano


Movies filmed in Kokomo

  • A Romance of Kokomo (1917), a silent film.
  • Terror Squad (1987), starring Chuck Connors and resident Michael W. Gordon
  • The Ryan White Story (1988), starring Judith Light
    Judith Light

    Judith Light is an United States actress. She is best known for her role as Angela Bower on the sitcom Who's the Boss?, and is now starring as Claire Meade on American Broadcasting Company Ugly Betty....
     and Lukas Haas
    Lukas Haas

    Lukas Daniel Haas is an United States actor, known for roles both as a child and as an adult. His career has spanned more than twenty years during which time he has appeared in more than thirty-six feature films, as well as a number of television shows and theater productions....


Other film references to Kokomo

  • In the 1947 film Mother Wore Tights
    Mother Wore Tights

    Mother Wore Tights is a 1947 in film musical film starring Betty Grable and Dan Dailey as married vaudeville performers. This was Grable and Dailey's first film together, based on a book of the same name by Miriam Young....
    , Betty Grable
    Betty Grable

    Betty Grable was an American dancer, singer, and actress.Her iconic bathing suit photo made her the number-one pin-up girl of the World War II era....
     and Dan Dailey
    Dan Dailey

    Daniel James Dailey Jr. was an United States dancer and actor....
     sing a song entitled "Kokomo, Indiana".
  • In the animated movie Cats Don't Dance
    Cats Don't Dance

    Cats Don't Dance is a 1997 in film animation film, notable as the only animated feature produced by Turner Entertainment animation unit and one of the last American animated films to use traditional animation cels....
    , the protagonist (Danny) hails from Kokomo.
  • The Blues Brothers (film)
    The Blues Brothers (film)

    The Blues Brothers is a 1980 in film musical film comedy film directed by John Landis and starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as "Joliet" Jake and Elwood Blues, characters developed from a "Saturday Night Live" musical sketch....
     featured a fictitious Kokomo bar, Bob's Country Bunker, where patrons threw beer bottles at the band on a stage protected by a chicken wire cage.
  • In the movie series Band of Brothers
    Band of Brothers

    Band of Brothers is a ten-part television World War II miniseries based on the book of the same title written by historian and biographer Stephen Ambrose....
     part 3 Carentan in the end the poem read says "...he lunged he thrust both high and low and skewered the boy from Kokomo" as referenced to Floyd M. Talbert a native of Kokomo.
  • Also in the same series above referenced in part 1 Currahee then mention the Kokomo Police department when he receives the revolver seen in other parts.


External links