Kokomo, Indiana Full Episode | John McGivern's Main Streets

Join us in Kokomo, Indiana, known as the “City of Firsts.” We explore how natural gas discovered here powered many early inventions. We visit a local factory carrying on Elwood Haynes’s legacy of steelmaking and see where the first American car was built—years before Henry Ford got going. We tour the oldest art glass manufacturer in the Americas and watch red-hot glass transform into stunning sheets.

Downtown, we find a giant praying mantis sculpture, quirky art alleys, and a record shop that also serves coffee and live music. We learn about custom watchmaking and discover Kokomo’s claim to fame as the birthplace of canned tomato juice. Local flavor takes center stage with an oversized pork tenderloin sandwich at Artie’s and the “bake” at Louie’s Coney Island. We also meet Old Ben, the world’s largest steer, and check out a tree stump said to be over 1,500 years old.

It’s a fun mix of history, manufacturing, food, and odd attractions. Whether you love vintage records or want to see a 17-foot mantis, #kokomoindiana welcomes you with friendly folks and a creative spirit. Join us for a look at this Indiana gem—no beach needed.

0:00 Intro
4:02 Haynes International
6:51 Elwood Haynes Museum
7:39 Stellantis Engine Plant ‪@StellantisNA‬
8:07 Seiberling Mansion
8:31 Kokomo Opalescent Glass ‪@KokomoOpalescentGlass‬
11:53 KokoMantis
12:20 Old Ben
12:57 Geek Street
13:17 Black Wax Café
15:58 Alley Art
16:25 Kokomo Watch Co.
19:23 Dan's Variety Bakery
19:59 Artie's Tenderloin
22:33 Louie's Coney Island
23:02 Sycamore Stump
23:29 Kokomo Municipal Stadium

New Episodes drop every Thursday
On Air Thursdays at 7:00pm on @pbswisconsin and @milwaukeepbs
Check your local #PBS listings to find out where it airs across the Midwest or stream on YouTube and the free PBS Video App

Stay Connected
Follow us on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and more:
Instagram:   / mainstreetstv  
Facebook:   / mainstreetstv  
Twitter:   / mainstreetstv  

Never Miss an Update
Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.mainstreets.tv and get the latest on new episodes and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.

❤️ Support the Show
This program is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and underwriters. Visit https://www.friendsofmainstreets.org to learn more or make a donation to support our mission.

What’s Next?
In the next episode, John and Emmy are heading to Indianapolis’ Mass Ave! You won’t want to miss the exciting stories they uncover.

We Want to Hear from You!
What was your favorite spot from this episode? Let us know in the comments below!

Discover More
Check out our playlist for more amazing Main Streets stories.

#JohnMcGivernsMainStreets #ExploreLocal #MidwestStories