Footprints A publication of the Howard County Historical Society Volume 3, Issue 1 February 2014 Snowy winters past

In this issue: Could there be another ‘First’ for Kokomo? Museum takes on a digital dimension Warm up at Winter Woolen Workshop

Above, 100 block of South Main Street in January 1978 From the executive director Another year for the history books

ere we are at the beginning of a new hours and catch our breath. H year: talking about what we’ve done in So here we are again, moving from one 365- the past 365 days and what we’ll do in the next day period into the next. At the historical socie- 365. That leads me to think about time and this ty, our heating bills are undergoing their annual odd idea of ending and starting every 365 jump, we’ve finished the annual cleaning and days. the new members of the Board of Trustees Early in mankind’s existence, time was sim- have taken their seats. The annual campaign ple. It was about the sun and the progression wrapped up with generous donors helping to of our own short lives. It was day-night, asleep- fund our operations for 2014. The new mobile awake and time to eat. Somewhere in the long- device tour is ready for users. And we’re plan- forgotten past, we began to order our lives by ning ahead – not just for the coming year but our perception time, making note of particular for the long-term future. times, like when the tides came and went and We divide our lives up in ever smaller chunks when to plant crops in the spring. It was a sur- in time, ordering our lives in minutes and sec- vival tactic that helped us plan ahead and onds instead of days and seasons. The pro- teach our children how to order their lives. We cess of preserving and sharing our history isn’t kept records in oral traditions, pictographs, ordered by the clock or calendars, though. It runes, glyphs, eventually written language — doesn’t stop and start. To paraphrase the Big and as we amassed records and experience, Lebowski, “The history abides”. we refined our knowledge and use of time. I hope you’ll make time soon to visit the The knowledge is preserved in museums, Seiberling, stop the clock for a bit, soak up the libraries and schools and enables us to live as atmosphere of the Gas Boom Era, and just we do (as well as decide whether we should abide. live like this). Plus, museums and libraries give Dave Broman us the opportunity to stop the clock for a few HCHS Executive Director

In this issue:

2 From the executive director 8 Another county first? 3 Snowy winters past 11 Historic walking tour updated 4 New digital dimension to museum 12 Membership 5 IHS recognizes Safianow 13 Annual campaign donors 6 Winter Woolen Workshop 14 A last taste of the holidays 7 Historian’s memorable request

2 Snowy winters past

aybe, by the time you read this, M we will be experiencing the greatest February heat wave in How- ard County history. But, at the moment, and for the past several weeks, we have endured a mind-boggling amount of snow and cold, prompting us to go through the archives to find photos of snowy win- ters past. On the cover is a photo from the notorious Blizzard of ’78, when about three feet of snow fell in a 24-hour period. This was followed by sub-zero temperatures and winds of up to 55 mph, leading to drifts of 10 to 20 feet tall, and bringing activity in the county to a standstill. One overriding theme of the archive photos has been vehicles in the snow — usually stuck, as in these pictures from 1920 (center) and 1950 (below). However, the man in the oldest pho- to we’re sharing, from 1914, seems to have had the right idea — a horse and sleigh — although it was proba- bly his only option 100 years ago. Maybe 100 years from now, our 4- wheel-drive SUVs, heated seats and remote starts will seem as antiquated as hitching up a horse. In the meantime, our fingers are crossed that the heat wave has arrived, and you will be fanning your- self with this issue of Footprints after you finish reading it.

Emily West Footprints Editor

3 A new digital dimension to Howard County history

t’s hard to beat the experience of seeing a better option now, using your cellphone, and I real, original, historical artifact. Not a repro- it’s free to use. The phone number 765-252- duction, not an image, but the actual physical 2094. Because it’s a number, it’s very inexpen- remainder of a person or event that reverber- sive to dial as often as you wish. ates through time. At the Smithsonian, for ex- The first time you call, you’ll hear a welcome ample, it might be the hat worn by Abe Lincoln message with some brief instructions. You can on the day he was murdered. During the 1994 then select the tour stop you want to explore by Sesquicentennial in Howard County, it was a entering the stop number, which will be found chance to see Elwood Haynes first car. Last on a small white badge near the exhibit. You year in the museum, it was a letter to home can browse through the museum at your own from the county’s highest-ranking Civil War speed and visit the exhibits in any order you veteran – written in his own hand during that wish. When you find something that interests war. you – dial the tour and punch in the stop num- Museums give you that experience, and pre- ber for more in-depth information. serve it to share with your grandchildren. The museums of our time have the opportuni- How to use the mobile Internet tour ty to use people and technology to deepen the We’ve installed a public wi-fi system in the museum experience. You can not only see the museum to provide Internet access for mobile artifact, but talk with a museum host about it. devices. For this tour, you may use our wire- And now, you can hear and see even more less network or your cellphone network to using today’s mobile technology: cellphones, make the connection. smartphones and mobile tablets. There are several different ways to access With the advent of the Howard County Herit- the tour: via the OnCell app (available for iPh- age Tour, you have several options for digging one and Android), using your web browser or a little deeper into exhibits, artifacts, and places with the QR codes posted at each stop. that interest you. For example, when you stand The Internet URL is http://myoncell.mobi/ in front of the museum’s Delco exhibit, you can hchistory. That address will bring up a tour site listen to a more detailed history of Delco’s role with a list of stops, and you may choose which- in the community via cellphone, or you can use ever one you want. As with the audio-only your mobile device to access the same infor- version, you can tour at your own speed and in mation in written form along with a series of whatever order you wish. photographs from Delco’s history. The simplest method uses QR codes. Make How to use the cellphone audio tour sure your device has a camera and a QR scan- In the past, you may recall having seen or ner app installed. Most do, but the apps are used audio tours on cassette tapes. We have a also readily available in the app stores. With

Continued on page 15 4 Safianow receives Jacob Piatt Dunn Jr. Award from IHS

From the Indiana Historical Society

INDIANAPOLIS — Long-time HCHS member Allen Safianow of Kokomo, was selected by the Indiana Historical Society as the winner of the 2013 Jacob Piatt Dunn Jr. Award for his article “Ryan White and Kokomo, Indiana: A City Remembers.” Safianow received the award during the IHS annual Founders Day event on Dec. 2, at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Cen- ter in downtown Indianapolis. Named for noted Indiana historian and author Jacob Piatt Dunn Jr., this $500 award honors the article that, in the opinion of the Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History editorial board and staff, best serves the magazine’s mission. This mission involves presenting thoughtful, research-based articles on Indiana history in an attractive format to a broad audience of readers. “Ryan White and Kokomo, Indiana: A City Remembers,” appeared in the winter 2013 is- sue of Traces. Safianow’s article was based on for his committee’s work to document the story interviews conducted with community mem- of Ryan White’s crusade to attend school after bers who played key roles in the evolution of being diagnosed with AIDS. Ryan White’s efforts to attend classes at West- Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society ern Middle School in 1985, after the 14-year has been Indiana’s Storyteller™, connecting old had been diagnosed with Acquired Immu- people to the past by collecting, preserving, nodeficiency Syndrome. A hemophiliac, Ryan interpreting and sharing the state's history. A had acquired the virus from an injection of Fac- private, nonprofit membership organization, tor VIII, which contains a clotting agent found IHS maintains the nation's premier research in blood. library and archives on the history of Indiana Safianow is professor emeritus of history at and the Old Northwest. IHS also provides sup- Indiana University Kokomo and serves as a port and assistance to local museums and his- trustee and chair of the Howard County Histori- torical groups, publishes books and periodi- cal Society’s Oral History Committee. In 2012, cals; sponsors teacher workshops; and pro- he accepted IHS’s Indiana History Outstanding vides youth, adult and family programming. Project Award on behalf of HCHS, which won

5 Warm up your creativity Feb. 22-23 at the Winter Woolen Workshop

hat better way to spend a winter day than to have your hands on some warm wool? W The Winter Woolen Workshop on Feb. 22 and 23 will give you that opportunity. That week- end, all-day workshops and demonstrations of a variety of handcrafts will take place at the Seiberling Mansion and Elliott House. Participants can try their hands and watch others demonstrate early samplers, colonial painting, traditional and primitive rug hooking, needle felting, hand quilting, wool applique, crazy quilt stitches, spinning and weaving, oxford rug punch, tatting, punch needle embroi- dery, knitting, crocheting and silk ribbon embroidery. Bring a project from home to work on or try something new. In addition, you can enjoy browsing among a variety items for sale by the many vendors at the event. The eighth annual Winter Woolen Workshop is presented by Beth’s Main Street Folkart and the Howard County Histori- cal Society. Cost of a two-day admission is $10. Proceeds benefit the Howard County Historical Society. Advance sale tickets available at howardcountymuseum.org. Hours are Saturday form 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Beth Notaro at 765-236-1000, [email protected] or www.picturetrail.com/bethsmainstreet.

A hand quilter works on her project, above, at the 2013 workshop. Vendors, below, sold their wares last year in the Elliott House.

6 Historian hears requests from near and far By John Morr the west side of Kokomo. The name he had Howard County Historian written down was Tressa Teller.

erving as a county historian can lead to So, I switched into historian mode and S some unusual and interesting queries from tapped my somewhat questionable brain cell near and far. storage bank to see if I could help Bill out. My most interesting request of 2013 was ac- The first thing that came to mind was the tually related to an intriguing investigation we girl’s last name. I was familiar with this name already were pursuing. The Howard County through my extended association with the Historical Society has been looking into anoth- Howard County Genealogical Society. A local er possible “first” invention for Kokomo — once fellow we know as Alan Teller is camp com- again, related to the automobile. mander of the Orlando A. Somers Camp No.1 A few years ago, we learned of a man who of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. worked for the Kokomo Rubber Company, We have shared information and presentations back when Elwood Haynes and the Apperson with his organization on several occasions. brothers began manufacturing automobiles in My wife, Cindy, who is curatorial assistant at Kokomo. That gentlemen’s son, who resides in the Howard County Historical Society, had southern Indiana in Parke County, gave us Alan’s email address. She wrote to him, asking much information about what his father invent- him if he might have a familial link with a young ed, and the story of William Swern is shared lady named Tressa from 1985. elsewhere in this issue of Footprints. Low and behold, Alan responded to the As to the request, I had communicated on email, writing, “Tressa is Teresa Teller, my numerous occasions with the inventor’s son, daughter... She and her mother remember the who is a nonagenarian and very active. In tractor show and the photos. It is great to know June, the son, Bill Jr., sent me an email asking my association with the Historical Society al- for some help. He said that back in 1985, he lows a contact like this to be made. Thank you met a teenage girl and her mother, who were for helping to open a page into her past.” from Kokomo, at an antique tractor show in Not long after Mr. Teller’s response, Bill, Jr. Winamac. The girl was wearing an old- told me he had heard from Teresa, had passed fashioned dress, and when he discovered they the photos onto her and was very pleased that were from Kokomo, it gave Bill an idea. He we had been able to link them back together. was working on a slide-show project about In- There is no rocket science in our efforts, no diana’s early automobile industry and asked wizardry or magic. It is just what we do — and the girl and her mother if the girl might be will- we enjoy doing it. Helping folks to answer local ing to pose for some photos back in Kokomo history questions, to find information or steer alongside some antique automobiles at the them in the right direction is our charge. Haynes Museum. Bill took several pictures of Speaking as the county historian, and for this young lady. those who have served before me, we could In 2013, Bill had come across these pictures not be successful at our charge if it were not in his collection and hoped I might be able to for the history-related organizations such as help him find her or her relatives and pass the the Howard County Historical Society and the photos on. He had written down a name and many, many other members of the Howard remembered she was in 4-H and they lived on County Historical Alliance.

7 Another ‘First’ for Kokomo?

By Dave Broman In the early 1920s, demand was a serious HCHS Executive Director problem in the tire business. Auto ownership was skyrocketing, but road construction oward County is justifiably proud of its lagged. More cars running on rough and unde- history of invention – and its inventors. H veloped roads meant more flat or shredded The names of Haynes, Spraker, Kingston and tires. The tire business needed a change, and Maxwell are legendary, as are the alloys, auto- Bill Swern had some new ideas. mobiles, pneumatic tires and carburetors they Before Swern, tire making was a slow, labor- developed. intensive process. Tires were built one at a But is a name missing from the list? Does time, with the fabric and rubber laid up by one more name deserve a place on the list of hand. The materials and equipment were “Firsts”? heavy, the workers exhausted, the plants filthy, William Swern was born in Ohio in 1887 at and supply couldn’t keep up with demand. Bill the start of the gas boom. Rubber tires for the experienced the physical demands firsthand, new-fangled automobiles brought him to Koko- and watched what it did to his crews. As a fore- mo in January 1919, where he went to work for man, he would have been responsible for the D.C. Spraker’s Kokomo Rubber company. plant’s ability to keep up with demand. Within the year, he was a foreman. He took the In 1921, Swern figured out a way to break the job seriously, always thinking about better manufacturing process into steps. Instead of ways to make tires.

8 9 each tire being built sales to Canada, Australia and England. He by one person, his didn’t take to the role of traveling salesman, system assigned though. In 1929, shortly before the economy different steps in the crashed, he bought a farm in Parke County. process to different The Depression drastically changed his eco- crews — and then nomic circumstances and nearly killed his moved each tire dreams for the farm. from one group to Goodyear Tire and Rubber approached the next until it was Swern in the early 1930s about obtaining rights finished. Some say to one of his patents. According to family histo- that was one of the ry, the company said it could reproduce his first, if not the very machine, but that it would be easier for all con- first, assembly line cerned if he would sell the rights. His lawyer operations in Ameri- advised him to sell for whatever he could get, ca. Henry Ford is saying there was no way to fight them in court. Bill Swern officially credited To keep his farm and family’s home, Swern with a moving as- chose to sell in 1933. Another of the patents sembly line in 1914, but Swern’s was likely the was sold to Paul Frank of National Rubber Ma- first in a tire factory. chinery in Akron, Ohio. In spite of those sales, As he worked to improve his crew’s output though, the Swernbuild System was displayed and quality, Swern’s inventive mind came up at the 1933 Century of Progress World’s Fair in with new devices to streamline the assembly Chicago as the modern way to manufacture line. He earned three patents for his inven- automotive tires. tions. The first was filed in 1923 for a “tire – Bill Swern spent the rest of his working life as forming machine”. With it, he hoped to change a farmer. He passed away in 1983, a day short the basic process and increase production of his 96th birthday. He’s buried in Lafayette, rates. His machine replaced pneumatic, or in- where some of his descendants still live. flated, forms with an expanding metal hub. The following year, he submitted a patent applica- Information for this article came from a family tion for a “process of forming drum tires” and history, written by William Swern Jr., and from improved on the techniques and equipment he U.S. Patent Office records. was developing with his first invention. In 1926, he filed for his third patent — for a “tire building drum”, which was intended to improve the quality of the final product. In the long run, Swern realized little personal benefit from his innovation. Others were better able to take advantage of them, including Goodyear Tire and Rubber. Swern left Kokomo Rubber in 1923 and started Swernbuild Sys- tems of Kokomo in partnership with a man named George Morrow. The partnership was short-lived, ending when Morrow was caught using company money for personal purposes. Swern traveled the country selling his equip- ment and had some mail-order success with

10 Updated architecture brochure a guide through historic neighborhood

By Linda Ferries ject. About 20 additional properties have been HCHS Publications Committee Member identified for possible inclusion in the new bro- chure based on their designation in the Indiana he Kokomo Historic Review Board is gath- Landmarks “interim report” on historic architec- ering information for an update of its 2005 T ture in Kokomo. Most were designated as “Historic Architecture: A Walking Tour of the “outstanding” historic structures. Letters have Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood.” gone out to the property owners asking for per- The brochure, which features the Howard mission to include a photo and a historical and County Historical Society’s Seiberling Mansion architectural description of their property in the and the late 19th century neighborhood that new brochure. surrounds it, offers a guide to many beautiful “We hope the property owners will be proud homes that “decorate tree-lined Walnut Street, to be included in this publication that showcas- Sycamore Street, Superior Street, Kingston es Kokomo’s history and architecture,” Duncan Road and beyond.” It includes an introduction said. “We hope they will share historic photos, to the historic architectural styles on display – information about the architect or builder and Italianate, Queen Anne, Craftsman, American the original and subsequent owners, and any Foursquare, Bungalow, Second Empire and interesting anecdotes they may have.” Revival styles from Tudor to Renaissance to Those who have been contacted are asked to Colonial. For some properties, historical infor- respond to the HRB by calling Jerry Meiring at mation of owners and uses is included. 765-456-7375 or by email at jme- With the brochure approaching its 10th anni- [email protected] . versary, an update is in the works that will ex- The Kokomo Historic Review Board was es- pand the tour to include properties on Mulberry tablished by a City Council ordinance more and Taylor streets. than 30 years ago “to implement a comprehen- Charles Duncan, president of the Kokomo sive program of historic preservation.” Since Historic Review Board, explains the project: that time, the Historic Review Board has re- “In 2008, The Old Silk Stocking Historic Dis- viewed and granted local historic designation trict was added to the National Register of His- to 70 properties in the City of Kokomo. Anyone toric Places along with the Courthouse Square interested in nominating their property for that and Railroad Depot Districts. The National recognition are welcome to contact Jerry Me- Register nomination process, and Indiana iring as well. Landmarks interim report before that, identified Copies of the current brochure are available many significant historic properties in the dis- at the Howard County Historical Society, the trict that were not included in our original Walk- Kokomo-Howard County Public Library, the ing Tour Brochure. With the review, the HRB Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau at 325 N. wants to include more of these significant his- Main St., and at two locations in City Hall (the toric properties.” One-Stop office on the first floor and the De- Jerry Meiring, an HRB advisor and communi- partment of Development office on the third ty specialist in the City of Kokomo’s Depart- floor). ment of Development, is coordinating the pro-

11 Membership Thanks to all who joined the Howard County Historical Society or renewed their memberships in recent months.

Richard & Betty Alexander Jacqueline Hunt Del & Jody Demaree Dr. Gilbert & Ellen Anderson Rachel Jenkins Alan & Lee Ann Teller Ron & Pam Barsh Richard & Marguerite Kadlec Major General Ed Trobaugh, Larry & June Barton Glenda Kamosa U.S.A. Ret. Doyle & June Beck Mike & Kelly Karickhoff James & Kathryn Trobaugh Paul Berry Jay & Marjorie Katzenmeyer Joanne Trobaugh Phyllis Blakeslee Chris & Joan Kellum Art & Shirley Ward Dr. Robert & Sally Bratton Wayne & Jane Kincaid Pat Waymire Carol Brock Cameron Paul Linder Karen Williamson Ed & Judy Brown Estella Lucas Keith & Jeannie Wright Kevin & Hilda Burns Wayne & Susan Luttrell Charlotte Young James & Marvel Butcher Martin Brothers TV & Appliance, Dr. Don & Deborah Zent Margaret Cardwell Sister Martin McEntee Rob Adair Bill & Sharon Carter Judge William & Marty Menges Friedemann Arnold Phillip & Victoria Conwell Gary Mervis Jim & Margie White Weezie Cook Bill & Jan Miller Andred Barker Hilary Crook Janet Moore Evan Barker John & Kathy Davidson Sue Murrell Jerry & Connie Basham Del & Jody Demaree Larry Newlin Laurence & Janice Blanchard Nancy Doak Charles & Gloria Nipple Sylvia Bridgewater Robert & Janet Duchateau Doug & Roma North Senator Jim & Judy Buck Joe Dunbar Ken & Stacy Nowak Greg & Stephany Burthay Craig Dunham Fred Odiet Kim Carter Orren & Barbara Dutton David & Lisa Olmsted Brett Coughlin Robert Lee Earlywine Mary Ann Peabody, Dorothy Dague Marion Eller in memory of Hod Peabody Norma Dunn Don Fields Nancy Peters Dale & Barbara Ellis Heather Fouts Lawrence & Sheryl Phillips Gregory & Pam Fisher Jack & Carolyn Garrigues Psi Iota Xi Sorority Edson Fox Dr. David Gibson Philip & Carolyn Rankin Tina Granfield Jim & Jane Goerges David & Melody Rayl Half Moon Restaurant & Brewery, Emily Rusk Golightly Blake & Jennifer Rollins Chris Roegner Glenn & Nancy Grundmann Robert & Diana Rostron Dan & Ann Harrigan Alan & Prudence Harnish Randy & Mary Rusch Hayes Brothers Inc., Larry Hayes Bill & Jody Shortle Harter Myra Sanburn Peggy Hollingsworth Phyllis Hedrick Dr. Thomas & Carol Scherschel Joe Holtson Mauri & Janet Henricks Carol Hynds Shallenberger Larry & Judy Ingle Sue Hight Thomas & Judy Sheehan Jill Jeffries Kenneth & Diana Hill Bill & Lyn Shirley Medora Kennedy Robert Hill Dale & Nancy Slaubaugh Mary H. Lewis Charles & Patricia Hinders Edward & Dixie Stone Juanita Martin Davis Mark & Peggy Hobson Stout & Son Funeral Homes, Grady Martin Zachary Hobson Jeff Stout Patti Host Syndicate Sales,

12 Campaign 2013 donors Thanks to all who donated to the 2013 annual campaign.

Bucheri McCarty & Metz Glenn & Nancy Grundmann Mary Ann Peabody Altrusa International Inc. Mary Ellen Harnish Dody Pickett Purdue CES Area VIII 4-H Youth Larry Hayes, Hayes Brothers Inc. Helen Politz Fund Charles & Patricia Hinders David & Melody Rayl Jim Aikman Robert & Mary Hingst Thomas & Kathryn Rethlake Curt Alexander, Mark & Peggy Hobson Robert & Rita Ricci Spectrum Photography Zachary Hobson Darrell & Jule Rider James Allman Robert & Joan Hoch Patricia Roberts Tedd & Deborah Armstrong Peggy Hollingsworth Robert & Diana Rostron, Jr. Friedemann Arnold Craig & Janine Huffman Mike Rothman Bill Baldwin Cliff Hunt Dr. Allen Safianow John & Norma Bandelier Timothy & Pam Jones Ronald & Sally Schafer Don & Gail Beaton Chris & Joan Kellum Dr. Thomas & Carol Scherschel Kent & Marcia Blacklidge Suzanne King E.P. Severns Mark & Wanda Bilodeau Dave & Linda Kitchell Thomas & Judy Sheehan James Brannon Phillip & Diane Knight Jeff Stout, Shirley & Stout Ed & Judy Brown Dr. Marvin & Bonnie Van Kley Funeral Homes Herbert & Barbara Buchanan Kokomo Animal Hospital Glen & Dee Ann Colescott Joan Lacey Dr. Charles & Alice Simons Phillip & Victoria Conwell Bob & Ruth Lawson Dr. Marilyn Skinner Weezie Cook Legacy Financial Croup Connie Stewart Hilary Crook James Long Phyllis Stucker Del & Jody Demaree Bill Martin, Martin Bros. Greg & Melody Sumpter Nancy Doak TV & Appliance, Inc. Matt & Ellen Tate Joe Dunbar Rheld & Lorina Tate Marion Eller Reggie & Lois Martin Edward Trobaugh, Omar England Sister Martin McEntee Major General Ret. Maureen Felkey James & Marty Meck Conrad & Karen Uitts Ken & Linda Ferries Sondra Neal Dr. Bradley Vossberg Harold & Joyce Fields Jerry & Marcia Nelson Lonita Williams Jack & Carolyn Garrigues Larry Newlin Karen Williamson Rex & Kara Gingerich Fred Odiet Clara Emily Wilson Tedd & Paula Goff Mick & Betty Ortman Charlotte Young Jeanette Grau Dr. Phillip Pate Dr. Don & Deborah Zent Membership, continued from page 12

John & Arlene McCoy Angela Parkhurst Rick & Diane Smith James McIntyre Stella Rood James Springer Thomas & Linda Miklik Jonathan & Amy Russell Cathy Stover Carl Miller Jerry & Marsha Santen Jill Strange Richard & Marsha Miller Janet Schick David & Carla Summers John & Cindy Morr Ashley Schneider Mike & Laura Ullery Jessica Muhlenkamp Dr. Charles & Alice Simons Keith & Karisa Vandeventer Joe & Drenda Myers Ted & Mimi Slate Bill & Elaine Wanke 13 A last taste of the holidays he decorations are gone and the strings of lights T have all been rolled up and put away. Another successful “Christmas at the Seiberling” is now a memory. Thanks to historical society member Paula Goff, here is one last taste of the 2013 holiday season at the Seiberling Mansion to help hold you over until next year.

This year, “Christmas at the Seiberling” included dozens of angels that were found throughout the man- sion, including this tiny trio, at right, and a larger one in the par- lor, below.

Darrell and Bruce Blasius, above, won the People’s Choice Award for their decoration of the third-floor ball- room. On the opposite page, the mansion was illuminated with hundreds of lights, including a lighted angel out- side in the third- floor cupola.

PAULA GOFF PHOTOS

14 Digital dimension, continued from page 4 the app enabled, simply focus your camera on tion with the members of the Howard County the QR badge posted at the exhibit. The device Historical Alliance. The first two phases of the will recognize the unique QR design and auto- project rolled out the Old Silk Stocking District matically open your web browser to the tour Walking Tour and the Downtown Kokomo page for that stop. Historical Architecture Walking Tour, which However you choose to get to the tour pages, were developed by the Kokomo Historic you’ll find additional information in written and Review Board. audio formats, as well as clickable images. It is our hope that the new digital tour Most of the images are historical and are se- enhancement will make your visit more lected to enhance your exploration of the topic. meaningful, strengthen your appreciation of The mobile device tour of the mansion is Howard County’s remarkable history, and help Phase 3 of the Howard County Heritage Tour, you share both with the next generation. which has been funded by the Greater Kokomo Convention and Visitors Bureau. It’s being Dave Broman produced by the historical society in coopera- [email protected]

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