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Kokomo&o=10616
Kokomo&o=10616

Kokomo, Indiana

Kokomo is a city in and the county seat of Howard County, Indiana, United States, Indiana's 13th largest city.

Officially known as the "City of Firsts" for, among other achievements, Kokomo was 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. One Haynes associate, German immigrant and avid inventor Gene Schneiderman, developed both the first convertible top and windshield wiper for the automobile. 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.

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

Kokomo's population was 46,113 at the 2000 census. Plans of annexation have been made in 2008 to make the population of Kokomo over 60,000 and double the size of the city.

History

Kokomo was named after Miami Indian referred to as a chief, but later found to be local legend Ma-Ko-Ko-Mo, which is sometimes spelled as Koh-Koh-Mah or Kokomoko. His name translates to Black Walnut. There was a trading post for commerce between Native Americans and European-Americans here in the early 19th century. David Foster founded the first trading post in Howard County. In 1844, Foster donated forty acres of his land to create a county seat in Kokomo, which was a log courthouse, for use in the community. It was incorporated as a city in 1865.

On October 6, 1886, natural gas 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.

Kokomo's Nicknames consist of the "City of Firsts" and "Stop Light City" (given by truckers driving through Kokomo on US Highway 31, infamous for its many traffic stops).

Officially known as the "City of Firsts" for, among other achievements, Kokomo was a pioneer of United States automobile manufacturing, with Elwood Haynes test-driving his early internal combustion engine auto there on 4 July, 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. One Haynes associate, German immigrant and avid inventor Gene Schneiderman, developed both the first convertible top and windshield wiper for the automobile. 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.

A more reluctant notoriety of Kokomo was the involvement of local citizens in the Ku Klux Klan. 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 1920's. In modern times, Kokomo is home to the first Ponderosa Steakhouse and the second Kentucky Fried Chicken. Kokomo opened the first McDonald's with a diner inside, locally called "McDiner." This McDonald's theme failed nationally, but did well in Kokomo. Eventually, the "McDiner closed and was converted back to a regular McDonald's restaurant. Kokomo also opened the first Cracker Barrel not built near an interstate highway as well as the first Starbucks Coffee not built in a metropolitan area.

Ryan White

Ryan White was a teenager from Kokomo who became a national poster child for HIV/AIDS after being expelled from school because of his infection. A hemophiliac, he became infected with HIV from a contaminated blood treatment and, when diagnosed in 1984, was given six months to live. Though doctors said he posed no risk to other students, AIDS was poorly understood at the time, and when White tried to return to school, many parents and teachers in Kokomo rallied against his attendance. A lengthy legal battle with the school system ensued, and media coverage of the struggle made White into a national celebrity and spokesman for AIDS research and public education.

When White was finally readmitted, threats of violence and lawsuits persisted. According to White's mother, people on the street would often yell, "we know you're queer" at Ryan. The editors and publishers of the Kokomo Tribune, which supported White both editorially and financially, were also called homosexuals and threatened with death for their actions. White attended Western Middle School for eighth grade for the entire 1986–87 school year, but was deeply unhappy and had few friends. The school required him to eat with disposable utensils and use separate bathrooms. Threats continued.

When a bullet was fired through the Whites' living room window, the family decided to leave Kokomo. After finishing the school year, his family moved to Cicero, Indiana, where White enrolled at Hamilton Heights High School. On August 31, 1987 a very nervous White was greeted by school principal Tony Cook, school system superintendent Bob G. Carnal, and a handful of students who had been educated about AIDS and were unafraid to shake White's hand. Surprising his doctors, White lived five years longer than predicted and died in April 1990, shortly before he would have completed high school.

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 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.

Demographics

Kokomo is the larger principal city of the Kokomo-Peru CSA, a Combined Statistical Area that includes the Kokomo metropolitan area (Howard and Tipton counties) and the Peru micropolitan area (Miami County), which had a combined population of 137,623 at the 2000 census.

As of the census of 2000, there were 46,113 people, 20,273 households, and 12,204 families residing in the city. The population density 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, 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 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 householde 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 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.

"City of Firsts" inventions

  • 1894 - Elwood Haynes makes the first successful trial run of his "horseless carriage" on Pumpkinvine Pike.
  • 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.
  • 1906 - The first Stellite cobalt-base alloy was discovered by Elwood Haynes.
  • 1912 - Stainless steel tableware was invented by Elwood Haynes as a response to his wife's desire for tableware that wouldn't tarnish.
  • 1918 - The Howitzer shell, used in World War I, 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 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 Radio Division of General Motors 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.
  • 1957 - Delco Radio Division of General Motors developed the first all transistor car radio.

Government

Mayor

Kokomo's current mayor is (Democrat) Greg Goodnight (2008-present). The two previous mayors have been (Republican) Matt McKillip (2004-2008) and (Republican) Jim Trobaugh.

Future Plans

Annexation Plans

Kokomo has plans to annex much of the surrounding areas just outside city limits. If this plan comes into action, the communities of Alto, Darrough Chapel, and Indian Heights will reside inside of city limits. It will add 14,000 people to Kokomo's population making Kokomo home to 60,000 people and put Kokomo as Indiana's 11th largest city. Putting Kokomo in between Carmel, and Anderson. The plan to almost double the size geographically, and to include areas around Kokomo which benefit from fire protection, city sewers and other amenities, have been opposed by many of the people within the planned annexation.

US 31

A major roadway traversing through Kokomo, US 31 has become one of the state's most congested roadways. In Howard County, there are currently 15 traffic signals, giving Kokomo the nickname of "Stop Light City". US 31 connects Indianapolis, Kokomo, and South Bend and a need for a new roadway became apparent. 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.

Media

Newspapers

Television

  • WTTK-TV , The CW affiliate, channel 29
  • WKGK-TV, Independent, channel 48 (Currently For Sale)
  • KGOV, Kokomo government access channel, channel 2

Radio

  • WFIU-FM , Jazz, Classical, NPR- 106.1 FM
  • WFRN-FM , Christian Radio- 93.7 FM
  • WIOU-AM, Talk, News and Sports- 1350 AM
  • WIWC-FM , Christian Radio- 91.7 FM
  • WMYK-FM , Classic Rock- 98.5 FM
  • WSHW-FM , Light Rock- 99.7 FM
  • WWKI-FM , Hit Country- 100.5 FM
  • WZWZ-FM, Adult Alternative- 92.5 FM

Education

Colleges/universities

School districts

Public

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 riches 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 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. Howard County Historical Society

Kokomo Parks


Festivals

For more information visit Kokomo Main Street Association website

Sports teams

Sports venues

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

Major employers

Transportation

Airports

Highways

Railroads

Notable people from Kokomo

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 and Lukas Haas

Other film references to Kokomo

  • In the animated movie Cats Don't Dance, the protagonist (Danny) hails from Kokomo.
  • The Blues Brothers (film) 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 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.

References

External links

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia © 2001-2006 Wikipedia contributors (Disclaimer)
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Last updated on Friday October 10, 2008 at 23:03:04 PDT (GMT -0700)
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