Stopping By Old Ben and The Covered Bridge

Photoson this page were taken while enjoying a brief stop at two of Kokomo's preserved landmarks.   The following paragraphs are taken from the city of KOKOMO's website at http://www.cityofkokomo.org/departments/vermont_covered_bridge.php as well as from http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/3620

World's Largest Preserved Steer

When Old Ben was Newborn Ben in 1902, he weighed 135 pounds. By the time he had to be destroyed after he slipped on some ice and broke both legs, he weighed 2.5 tons, and measured out at longer than sixteen feet.

After he died his owners, the Murphy Brothers of nearby Miami, had him mounted and presented to the city of Kokomo, as proof to all those who might say, "There ain't no such animal." The grateful town pinned a ribbon on Old Ben, and put him in a big glass box in Highland Park. He's been there since 1919. The display also contains a pile of hay.

Highland Park is also home to The World's Largest Sycamore Stump (57 feet in circumference, 217 inches in diameter). It has its own glass enclosure as well, although it spent most of its millennium of life along Wildcat Creek, west of town. It was moved to the park and used as a phone booth for years, before earning its own kiosk of honor next to Old Ben.

Take W. Defenbaugh St. west until it ends, then continue on S. Park Rd. Old Ben is displayed inside a wood and stone shelter. Hours: Daily dawn - 10 pm.

 The Vermont Covered Bridge

The bright red Vermont Covered Bridge in Highland Park is the final remaining Smith Type #3 Trusses in Indiana.  The bridge is a transplant from the town of Vermont, which is about 5 miles east of Kokomo. 

 After surviving floods, at least one arson attempt and a reckless coal delivery driver, the Vermont Covered Bridge was threatened by another prominent covered bridge destroyer.  In 1957, plans for the new Kokomo Reservoir called for flooding the valley at the bridge site.  The old wooden bridge was to be replaced with a wider and longer concrete span, built on higher ground.


The late M.E.White, then president of the Howard County Historical Society, proposed moving the span to one of Kokomo's parks.  It is mostly through his efforts that the bridge has been preserved.  The total cost of moving the bridge was under $3,500.  The Kokomo Parks Department constructed the new abutments for the covered bridge. 

In January of 1992, through the Parks Department, the bridge received a new shake roof.  In the fall of 2004, the bridge received a new coat of paint.  The Vermont Covered Bridge is open to foot traffic during the summer months.  The bridge is located in Highland Park.