Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Silk Stocking Historic District
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Neighborhood Markers
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 Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bounded by W. Jackson St. on the N., Washington St. on the E., Wildcat Creek in the S., Phillips St. on the W., Kokomo, Indiana |
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| Area | 110 acres (45 ha) |
| Built | 1880s |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Victorian, Neo-Jacobean, Queen Anne, Bungalow, Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 08001210 |
| Added to NRHP | December 22, 2008 |
The Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood is a special historic area located near downtown Kokomo, Indiana. It's known for its beautiful old homes. Back in the 1880s, after natural gas was found in this part of Indiana, many people moved here. This led to the neighborhood growing quickly. Important people like lawyers, doctors, business owners, and even a mayor built their homes here around the turn of the 20th century.
The neighborhood is bordered by Washington Street to the east, Philips Street to the west, Wildcat Creek to the south, and Taylor Street to the north. Main roads like Sycamore Street (Indiana State Road 22) run east and west. Washington Street and Philips Street go north and south. In 2005, Sycamore Street was updated with a new center turn lane, old-fashioned lights, and ornamental trees. The work finished in late 2006.
On December 22, 2008, the neighborhood was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special place recognized for its history. Its official borders are W. Jackson Street to the north, Washington Street to the east, Wildcat Creek to the south, and Phillips Street to the west.
Contents
Architecture Styles
The Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood has a cool mix of building styles. You can see many different designs here. Some of the styles include Victorian, Neo-Jacobean, Queen Anne, Bungalow, Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, and Romanesque Revival. It's like a museum of architecture!
Famous Landmarks
Howard County Museum
The Howard County Museum is on West Sycamore Street. It's located inside two historic homes: the Seiberling Mansion and the Elliott House. It also includes their old carriage houses. The museum is open during the week. It shares local history, including stories about the people who founded Kokomo and the Seiberling family. Sometimes, you can even see a live play about the marriage of Monroe Seiberling's daughter. It's also a place where local weddings can happen.
The Seiberling Mansion was built in 1887 by Monroe Seiberling, a big business owner. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on its own in 1972.
The Elliott House is right next to the Seiberling Mansion. It's home to the Kokomo Symphonic Society and some offices. The Elliott Carriage House was recently fixed up. It now holds the Stan Mohr Local History Library. After the first family moved out, the house was used by Indiana University Kokomo for a while.
Christmas at the Seiberling
During the holiday season, the Seiberling Mansion and the Elliott House host many fun events. There's something for everyone! One of the best parts is seeing both buildings and their grounds lit up with beautiful lights. You can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides and take pictures with Santa Claus. There's also a gingerbread competition and tours of the decorated mansion. You might even hear choir performances and enjoy some snacks.
Places of Worship
The Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood has many different religious centers. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and Highland Park Church are two of the well-known churches in the area. A list of places of worship in the neighborhood includes:
- St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
- Highland Park Church
- St. Thomas the Apostle Orthodox Christian Church
- First Congregational UCC
- Fresh Start Ministries
- The Father's House Church
- Temple B'nai Israel
Local Parks
Foster Park
This park was opened in 1921 and named after David Foster, who founded Kokomo. Foster Park has a Senior Citizen's Center, tennis courts, and basketball courts. There's also a softball field and a place for outdoor concerts. The Wildcat Walk of Excellence goes through this park. It connects Foster Park to Miller-Highland Park.
Miller-Highland Park
Local people often call this park U.C.T. Ballpark. It has two baseball fields for little-league teams. You can also find old Indian trails and two playgrounds here.
Neighborhood Businesses
- Guardian Angel Hospice Foundation, Inc.
- Crazy J's Ice Cream
- Templin Barber Shop
- Horoho Printing
- Kokomo Smile Creations
Gallery
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Wildcat Creek, Foster Park located on the Left, Kokomo Beach Family Aquatic Center on the Right
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Templin Barber Shop
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Sycamore St. at Dusk
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St. Andrews Episcopal Church
