Howard County Historical Society

08/06/2026

The Alhambra, opened in December 1903, was located on the southwest corner of Sycamore and Buckeye Streets and could seat approximately 2,000. It was the home of Kokomo’s Leiss roller polo team. There were two conferences in Indiana with each conference having six teams. Roller polo only lasted two seasons due to player salary and total team salary issues.

The Alhambra was also used for public events, a roller rink, and a theater. Later, it was Sailor Brothers Furniture and Leath Furniture after that. It burned down in December 1960. Today, the location is Community First Bank.

07/30/2026

The Cove Sanitarium, the yellow house on the right, was started circa 1915 by R. H. Cove. He used Battle Creek methods pioneered by Dr. John Kellogg. Among the therapies offered included water treatments and heat therapies to better one’s health. In 1917, the business moved to the vicinity of the Frances Hotel on Mulberry Street and changed names to Kokomo Turkish Bath Company. Later, it moved to a location on West Walnut and changed its name back to Cove Sanitarium. The business was sold in 1923 and disappears from the city directory shortly thereafter.

07/25/2026

Once again, the Mayor takes home the piston trophy for winning the derby car race! America wins!!

07/25/2026

Mr. and Mrs. Kingston just arrived in their Model T! We’re enjoying the perfect weather here at Mr. Kingston's Auto Exhibition until 2pm today!

Be sure to make it by noon to see Mayor Tyler Moore pitted against local legend Tom Tolen in a derby car race! Or will it be George Washington vs. a British Redcoat? It’s still America’s 250th birthday after all!

07/23/2026

Mr. Kingston’s Fifth Annual Auto Exhibition will be Friday 4 - 8 PM and Saturday 10 AM - 2 PM on the grounds of the Seiberling Mansion. Come learn about Kokomo’s automotive heritage.

These images show some of that heritage. The Apperson factory was located on South Main Street. The picture of the Apperson car shows some of their test drivers. Of note, the driver on the right, Herb Lytle, drove an Apperson in the first Indy 500 in 1911.

The Haynes factory was also located on South Main Street. Elwood Haynes is pictured with one of his cars, a Model 75 Haynes Speedster.

The interior factory picture is of Kokomo Brass Works where George Kingston produced many carburetors for Ford Model T cars.

07/22/2026

We were excited to travel down to Indianapolis today to share about this weekend’s Mr. Kingston's Auto Exhibition! Join us on Friday 4-8pm and Saturday 10am-2pm for free admission, lots of kid (and kid at heart) activities, and concessions for only $1!

Visit Kokomo's Mr. Kingston's Auto Exhibition this weekend to see historic cars and enjoy free family activities.