Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood
Encyclopedia
The Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood is the historic district near downtown Kokomo, Indiana
, and the Westside Business District. In 1886, natural gas was discovered
in north central Indiana, and exploded with people and then developed the neighborhood. This historic area of town was the place where lawyers, doctors, industrialists and even a mayor would come to build their turn of the century residences.
The neighborhood is bounded by Washington Street to the east, Philips Street to the west, Wildcat Creek to the south and Taylor Street to the North. Major roadways traversing through the Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood include Sycamore Street (Indiana State Road 22
) running east and west and Washington Street and Philips Street traveling north and south. Recently in 2005, Sycamore Street (SR 22) began a complete redesign resulting in an addition of a center turn lane, as well as old-fashioned lighting and ornamental trees with construction ending in late 2006.
On December 22, 2008, the neighborhood was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
. Its official boundaries are "W. Jackson St. on the N., Washington St. on the E., Wildcat Creek in the S., Phillips St. on the W.".
, Neo-Jacobean, Queen Anne
, Bungalow
, Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, and Romanesque Revival.
The Seiberling Mansion
is an 1887 house built by manufacturing magnate Monroe Seiberling. It was separately listed on the National Register in 1972.
The Elliott House is located next door to the Seiberling Mansion and is home to the Kokomo Symphonic Society, as well as a few professional offices. The Elliott Carriage house was recently renovated to house the Stan Mohr Local History Library. After the original residents of the Elliott House moved out, the house was purchased and was used for a location for Indiana University Kokomo
, until it moved to its current location on South Washington Street.
During the holiday season, the Seiberling Mansion and the Elliott House hosts a plethora of events for all ages to endure. One of the most striking features of the holiday events would be the lighting of both the Seiberling Mansion, Elliott House and the grounds accommodating both buildings. Activities held at the Howard County Historical Society would include horse-drawn carriage rides, pictures with Santa Claus
, a gingerbread competition, as well as touring the decorated mansion. Also available during this time are Choralier performances and refreshments.
, a gingerbread competition, as well as touring the decorated mansion. Also available during this time are Choralier performances and refreshments.
A list of churches within the neighborhood include:
Kokomo, Indiana
Kokomo is a city in and the county seat of Howard County, Indiana, United States, Indiana's 13th largest city. It is the principal city of the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Howard and Tipton counties....
, and the Westside Business District. In 1886, natural gas was discovered
Indiana Gas Boom
The Indiana Gas Boom was a period of active drilling and production of natural gas in the Trenton Gas Field, in the US state of Indiana and the adjacent northwest part of Ohio The boom began in the early 1880s and lasted into the early twentieth century....
in north central Indiana, and exploded with people and then developed the neighborhood. This historic area of town was the place where lawyers, doctors, industrialists and even a mayor would come to build their turn of the century residences.
The neighborhood is bounded by Washington Street to the east, Philips Street to the west, Wildcat Creek to the south and Taylor Street to the North. Major roadways traversing through the Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood include Sycamore Street (Indiana State Road 22
Indiana State Road 22
State Road 22 in the U.S. state of Indiana is a major thoroughfare from Kokomo to Interstate 69. The highway is concurrent with U.S. Route 35 from Kokomo to Interstate 69.-Route description:...
) running east and west and Washington Street and Philips Street traveling north and south. Recently in 2005, Sycamore Street (SR 22) began a complete redesign resulting in an addition of a center turn lane, as well as old-fashioned lighting and ornamental trees with construction ending in late 2006.
On December 22, 2008, the neighborhood was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. Its official boundaries are "W. Jackson St. on the N., Washington St. on the E., Wildcat Creek in the S., Phillips St. on the W.".
Architecture
The Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood is an eclectic mix of architectural styles including VictorianVictorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
, Neo-Jacobean, Queen Anne
Queen Anne Style architecture
The Queen Anne Style in Britain means either the English Baroque architectural style roughly of the reign of Queen Anne , or a revived form that was popular in the last quarter of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century...
, Bungalow
Bungalow
A bungalow is a type of house, with varying meanings across the world. Common features to many of these definitions include being detached, low-rise , and the use of verandahs...
, Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, and Romanesque Revival.
Landmarks
Howard County Historical Society and Museum
The Howard County Museum is located on West Sycamore Street and inhabits the Seiberling Mansion, the Elliott House, as well as two historic carriage houses owned by the two families which built the two massive residences. The Howard County Museum is open during the week and showcases local history including information about the founders of Kokomo, and the Seiberlings. Also available by the museum is a live reenactment of the marriage of Monroe Seiberling's daughter, as well as a venue for local weddings.The Seiberling Mansion
Seiberling Mansion
The Seiberling Mansion is a historic house in Kokomo, Indiana, United States. In 1887, Monroe Seiberling of Akron, Ohio, traveled to Kokomo to open the Kokomo Strawboard Company, which would make shoeboxes out of straw and employ seventy-five people...
is an 1887 house built by manufacturing magnate Monroe Seiberling. It was separately listed on the National Register in 1972.
The Elliott House is located next door to the Seiberling Mansion and is home to the Kokomo Symphonic Society, as well as a few professional offices. The Elliott Carriage house was recently renovated to house the Stan Mohr Local History Library. After the original residents of the Elliott House moved out, the house was purchased and was used for a location for Indiana University Kokomo
Indiana University Kokomo
Indiana University Kokomo is a regional campus in the Indiana University system in Kokomo, Indiana.-Academics:As of 2010, there were over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students at IU Kokomo and 81 full-time faculty...
, until it moved to its current location on South Washington Street.
During the holiday season, the Seiberling Mansion and the Elliott House hosts a plethora of events for all ages to endure. One of the most striking features of the holiday events would be the lighting of both the Seiberling Mansion, Elliott House and the grounds accommodating both buildings. Activities held at the Howard County Historical Society would include horse-drawn carriage rides, pictures with Santa Claus
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
, a gingerbread competition, as well as touring the decorated mansion. Also available during this time are Choralier performances and refreshments.
Christmas at the Seiberling
During the holiday season, the Seiberling Mansion and the Elliott House hosts a plethora of events for all ages to endure. One of the most striking features of the holiday events would be the lighting of both the Seiberling Mansion, Elliott House and the grounds accommodating both buildings. Activities held at the Howard County Historical Society would include horse-drawn carriage rides, pictures with Santa ClausSanta Claus
Santa Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
, a gingerbread competition, as well as touring the decorated mansion. Also available during this time are Choralier performances and refreshments.
Churches
Of the large variety of churches within the Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood area, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and Highland Park Church are two of the more prominent churches within the neighborhood.A list of churches within the neighborhood include:
- St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
- Highland Park Church www.highlandpc.com
- St. Thomas the Apostle Orthodox Christian Church
- First Congregational UCC
- Fresh Start Ministries
- The Father's House Church
Foster Park
Named after David Foster, the founder of Kokomo, this park is home to the Senior Citizen's Center, tennis courts, basketball courts, and two softball diamonds. Another feature to this park is the Wildcat Walk of Excellence which runs through the park connecting Foster Park to Miller-Highland Park.Miller-Highland Park
Better known as U.C.T. Ballpark by local residents, this park boasts two little-league baseball diamonds, Indian trails, as well as two playgrounds.Businesses
- Walgreens Drug Store
- Guardian Angel Hospice Foundation, Inc.
- Crazy J's Ice Cream
- Templin Barber Shop
- Horoho Printing