Kokomo in Howard County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
1850s Railroad Workers' Quarters
Photographed By Trevor L Whited, June 13, 2022
1. 1850s Railroad Workers' Quarters Marker
Inscription.
1850s Railroad Workers' Quarters. . This small house is believed to be one of Kokomo's oldest homes. When it was built in the early 1850s, it was a tiny, one-room shack placed on a foundation of loose stones. This area was the northern outskirts of Kokomo, a small town with a population less than 1,000 people. It was most likely built by the railroad as a temporary lodging for its workers who were building the rail line connecting Indianapolis to Peru. In 1853, the first train ran through Kokomo on the tracks constructed just a few yards in front of the wooden shack. After completion of the railroad, the building was sold. By 1860, additional rooms were added which doubled its size, and the small shack transitioned into a family home. In 2017, the City of Kokomo purchased the house and began restoration efforts to preserve this example of Kokomo's early history.
This small house is believed to be one of Kokomo's oldest homes. When it was built in the early 1850s, it was a tiny, one-room shack placed on a foundation of loose stones. This area was the northern outskirts of Kokomo, a small town with a population less than 1,000 people. It was most likely built by the railroad as a temporary lodging for its workers who were building the rail line connecting Indianapolis to Peru. In 1853, the first train ran through Kokomo on the tracks constructed just a few yards in front of the wooden shack. After completion of the railroad, the building was sold. By 1860, additional rooms were added which doubled its size, and the small shack transitioned into a family home. In 2017, the City of Kokomo purchased the house and began restoration efforts to preserve this example of Kokomo's early history.
Erected by City of Kokomo.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 40° 29.621′ N, 86° 7.921′ W. Marker is in Kokomo, Indiana, in Howard County. Marker is on North Buckeye Street, on the right when traveling north. This section of North Buckeye street has been transformed into part of the Industrial Heritage Trail and cannot be accessed
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by motor vehicles. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 904 North Buckeye Street, Kokomo IN 46901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2022, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. This page has been viewed 358 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 21, 2022, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
