Historic Downtown Kokomo Walking Tour

Wednesday, October 28th, 2026 @ 1:00 PM

tour information

Downtown Kokomo, IN

Downtown Kokomo is home to one of the best-preserved historic downtown districts in north-central Indiana. Much of what visitors experience today reflects the city's rapid growth during Indiana's Natural Gas Boom of the late nineteenth century, when Kokomo emerged as a center for manufacturing, innovation, and commerce. Throughout this tour, you'll discover how transportation, industry, architecture, and public spaces helped shape the community.

Tours can be registered for on the conference registration page. Navigate to the ‘REGISTER NOW’ button in the upper right-hand corner of the website to register for the 2026 Indiana MPO & IARC Conference and a tour of your choosing.

Tour Route

#1: Railroad Trestle (located near the fire department)

Our tour begins at the historic railroad trestle, a reminder of the transportation network that transformed Kokomo into one of Indiana's leading manufacturing centers. The arrival of the railroad allowed local industries to move raw materials and finished products efficiently across the country, fueling decades of economic growth.

The land that became Foster Park was originally part of a 600-acre reservation owned by David Foster, one of Kokomo's earliest settlers and traders. During the 1840s, Foster donated 40 acres for the establishment of Howard County's seat of government and built a double-wide log cabin that served as both his home and trading post.

Originally known as Smith Bottoms, the area consisted of low-lying marshland that frequently flooded and was once described as a series of "frog ponds, mosquito breeding swamps, and rubbish dumps." It also served as a temporary location for traveling circuses and carnivals.

In 1922, the City of Kokomo transformed the area into Foster Park, creating athletic fields, tennis courts, croquet courts, and recreational space that continues to serve the community today.

#2: Foster Park

Foster Skatepark

Completed in 2019 with final landscaping in 2020, the 12,000-square-foot Foster Skatepark is one of Indiana's premier public skate facilities. Designed by Hunger Skateparks, it features bowl pockets, quarter pipes, and street-style elements and is part of Kokomo's continued downtown revitalization efforts.

Sherman Tank Memorial

A World War II-era Sherman Tank has stood in Foster Park since 1958. In 2018, the Howard County Veterans Memorial Corporation completed a community-funded restoration using authentic replacement parts and historically accurate paint, preserving this important veterans memorial for future generations.

Created in 2012 by local artist Scott Little and developer Scott Pitcher, the sculpture is constructed entirely from reclaimed materials, including World War II fuel pontoons and recycled traffic signal poles. Standing 17 feet tall and 22 feet long, it reflects Kokomo's industrial heritage while celebrating creativity and sustainability.

Located at the corner of Washington and Sycamore Streets, KokoMantis has become one of Kokomo's most recognizable public art installations.

#3: KokoMantis

#4: Depot District

The railroad played a vital role in Kokomo's emergence as a manufacturing powerhouse. The historic Depot District tells the story of how rail transportation connected local factories—including early automobile manufacturers—to markets throughout the United States.

Today, the district remains one of downtown's most historically significant neighborhoods and continues to be an important focus of preservation and redevelopment.

Completed in 1937, the Howard County Courthouse was constructed in the Art Moderne style after the original courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1933.

The courthouse serves as the architectural centerpiece of downtown and stands as a symbol of the community's resilience during the Great Depression.

#5: Howard County Courthouse

Surrounding the courthouse are beautifully preserved commercial buildings dating from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The square reflects the prosperity generated during Indiana's Natural Gas Boom, when banks, hotels, department stores, and professional offices flourished throughout downtown. Unlike many Midwestern communities, Kokomo has retained much of its original historic commercial district.

#6: Historic Courthouse Square

As we continue through downtown, notice the outstanding collection of:

  • Italianate commercial buildings

  • Romanesque Revival architecture

  • Classical Revival banks

  • Art Deco and Art Moderne buildings

Decorative brickwork, ornate stone cornices, and restored storefronts provide an excellent example of late nineteenth and early twentieth century commercial architecture.

Artist Alley demonstrates how historic preservation and public art can work together to revitalize a downtown district.

Large-scale murals and public art installations celebrate Kokomo's history while creating vibrant gathering spaces within the city's historic core.

#7: Artist Alley

#8: Artworks Gallery

210 North Main Street

Artworks Gallery is a co-op gallery operated by members of the Kokomo Art Association.

Visitors will find:

  • Paintings

  • Pottery

  • Photography

  • Woodworking

  • Hand-painted porcelain

Walk of Excellence & Industrial Heritage Trails

Many of today's tour stops are connected by two of Kokomo's signature trail systems.

The Walk of Excellence follows Wildcat Creek through downtown and surrounding parks, recognizing individuals and innovations that shaped the community's manufacturing and scientific heritage.

The Industrial Heritage Trail, built along the former Nickel Plate Railroad corridor, connects many of Kokomo's historic industrial sites, including the Haynes Automobile Company, Kokomo Rubber Company, and Kokomo Opalescent Glass. Interpretive signage along the trail illustrates how transportation and industry helped build modern Kokomo.