I love a happy ending…read more At one point, Elwood's historic Carnegie library was on its way out. One of multiple libraries funded by steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, this Carnegie library was built in 1903 to support the growing Elwood, Indiana library that had been first established on May 3, 1899. The library was built to house 20,000 volumes. By 1994, it was obsolete with circulation expected to pass 100,000. In 1997, this library was closed and a new public library opened. The Carnegie Library remained closed and inactive and by 2020 was added to Indiana's "Ten Most Endangered Historic Properties List." In 2021, the current owner purchased the building with the intention of both preserving its history and creating a historic event center. Mission accomplished. Opened in 2023, the Carnegie Indiana hosts weddings and other events including a recent event for Catalyst Youth Center in Elwood. Other events have included private parties, corporate events, bridal showers, and baby showers. The Carnegie Indiana is extensively and amazingly renovated. The venue can be rented, of course, and has multiple options. The Carnegie is fully climate controlled and has a historic dining/reception area equipped with the library's original oak octagonal circulation desk (now a bar/food service area). There's a catering kitchen. Downstairs offers a spacious bridal suite, groom's billiards room, and will soon have a speakeasy cocktail lounge for smaller events or cocktail hours. (The Carnegie does not provide bar service). Rental includes full access to upstairs gathering/dining rooms, ADA-compliant restrooms on each floor, spacious lower level suites/billiard rooms, dining tables, and chairs as needed. The folks here have done a terrific job of maintaining the building's historic features and also offering enough updates (including pretty darn good accessibility) to make the building pleasing for contemporary events. I've done some outreach events in Elwood and have really grown to love the community. The Carnegie is a perfect venue for this Indiana city that is only about 30 miles from Indianapolis and having had the chance to experience it I would not hesitate to host my own events here.

A pair of bronze statues portraying the pioneering auto builders, the Apperson Brothers, can be…read morefound near the spot of their former factory at the south entrance to Kokomo Municipal Stadium. Added in 2018, artist DJ Bawden created the pieces to commemorate the pairs contribution to Kokomo's history and commerce. Just before the beginning of the 20th Century, the brothers had started their own shop and were approached by Elwood Haynes to build his first car back in 1894 which is considered to be the first working car in America! They went on to form the Haynes-Apperson Company which continued making cars until the brothers left to pursue making a more upscale and powerful type vehicle in 1902. They were known for producing a car called the Jackrabbit. In 1911, the brothers entered a car in the 1st Indy 500. The auto manufacturers continued in Kokomo until 1926. Review #2476

The Howard County Courthouse sits on Courthouse Square in Kokomo, Indiana. The art deco building…read morewas designed by local architect, Oscar Cook, and retains most of its original grandeur. The building was dedicated October 20, 1937 after a fire destroyed the first courthouse during 1927. The building is constructed of limestone. Bronze relief likenesses of the founder of Kokomo, David Foster and inventor, Elwood Hayes cover the doors on the main entrance. Grand art deco light fixtures stand at the entrances to the building. Local Sheriff Deputies screen visitors prior to entry into the building. The deputies are friendly. This is very much a working courthouse, bustling with activity. The building is not really set up for tourists. But you can walk around. Photography is not allowed in certain rooms and areas. Art deco style war memorials holding the names of those that served stand directly inside the entry and around the foyer. Above the foyer is a beautiful rectangular stained glass window that runs the length of the building. There are three floors plus a basement that house county offices and courtrooms. The County Clerk, Circuit Court, Public Defender and Prosecutor Offices were among the offices. Offices are simple and functional without adornment. Incredible art deco features adorn the staircases and halls throughout the building. Being in the building was like stepping back in time. I loved it. The building was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. There are public restrooms in the basement. Parking is free around the square. The building is ADA accessible and has elevators inside. The square around the courthouse is interesting, too. There are few businesses, but the mix of architecture is beautiful. There are also several memorials surrounding the courthouse building including a Civil War memorial.

I was on my way to visit the Clinton County Courthouse today and noticed local officials were…read morehaving a ceremony commemorating Memorial Day. The event was moving with local veterans giving a 21 gun salute after placing wreaths by the War Memorial on the grounds of the Courthouse. Frankfort, Indiana is the county seat for Clinton County. The current courthouse is the third courthouse to serve the county. Construction on the Second Empire style building began in 1884 under the design of George W. Bunting. The three story building was constructed of Indiana limestone and features a domed tower with clock. A statue of Blind Liberty stands near the west entrance. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic places in 1978. The building houses courtrooms and related judicial offices for Clinton County.

I was in Frankfort, Indiana yesterday. A trip to Frankfort is nearly impossible without visiting…read morethe building affectionately known by locals as "Old Stoney." Built in 1892, Old Stoney initially served as Frankfort High School. On February 24, 1922, the high school was completely gutted with only the four walls left standing. Using those walls, the building was rebuilt and reopened in 1926. It continued to be used by Community Schools of Frankfort until 1974. In 1976, a nonprofit was started and entered into a 99-year lease with Community Schools of Frankfort. In 1979, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Place. In 1995, the building was purchased by the city and was extensively renovated to serve as City Hall with space for the Mayor, Clerk Treasurer, City Engineer, and Main Street. Fun fact: Initially, there was a tunnel running underneath Old Stoney to other school buildings. You can still see part of the tunnel to this day. In 2016, a $4.3 million renovation gave the building a new roof, tuck points, heating/AC, brought the electrical system up to code, closed 2 out of 3 original skylights, installed new windows, repaired/painted interior walls, and included new landscaping. The Clinton County Historical Society and Museum uses the second floor. The building is 2 1/2 stories tall and created in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. It has a raised basement, large round arched entrance, four large stone chimneys, and a 4-story corner tower. It's honestly hard to imagine going to high school in this building. Since it's used as a public building, accessibility has dramatically improved. It's a historic building, so it's not perfect in terms of accessibility. However, it's quite good and I can always get anywhere I need to go here.

"Old Stoney" is how the residents of Frankfort refer to this magnificent Romanesque Revival…read morestructure. Originally, it was built as the community high school in 1892, constructed mostly of Ohio sandstone and trimmed with Indiana limestone. The students must have had some fun running up and down the turrets. The school closed for four years after a fire in 1922, but reopened to serve students for until 1974. Will Beer (the Grandpa on the Waltons) was a notable student of the school. If the walls could only talk. Facing disrepair, a non-profit was formed to manage the aging building. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Buildings in 1979. The City of Frankfort bought the building in 1995 to move several city offices into the building, including the mayor. In 2016, major renovations were completed to upgrade mechanical and electrical infrastructure and make repairs. Worth a visit if you love architecture and are in Frankfort.

If you need a divorce or to pay your property taxes, this is the right place. If your looking for…read morehistoric architecture, then you're in the wrong place. The Cass County Courthouse is the second courthouse to serve the County. Technically called The Cass County Government Center located at 200 Court Park, the Center is a large complex housing the courts, jail, other County departments and Purdue Extension office. The modern structure was designed by architect Richard Byers in 1979 and was completed in 1981 at the cost of $3,042,973. The building was renovated and updated in 2001. The building feels very institutional, but functional. There is no history of Cass County government in the building with the exception of pictures of Judges that served the county. I talked to several staff members and deputies to gain some insights about Cass County history, but was met by blank stares. So I trucked over to the Library and Historical Society to learn more. The first courthouse was designed by Joseph Willis and started by Abram Graffis, but finished by by Job Eldridge, Thomas Cummings and Isaac Clary in 1844. This structure, which stood on the same grounds as today's Center, was remodeled by John Medford and John Barnes in 1888, adding a new front with wings. The Victorian building served the County for an astounding 135 years. But the ancient walls and inadequate plumbing became an ultimate challenge for the modern legal world, so the new structure was built. The original bell from the 1844 building is displayed near the employee parking lot, which I could not enter. So bottom line, the current County Center is modern and functional but lacks County history or grand focal point of other Indiana courthouses.

This library was such a hidden gem! I drove here expecting a small library with a limited…read morechildren's section, but I left completely amazed. The children's department was incredible--so many books for little readers, fun activity stations, and the friendliest staff. It was such a welcoming space, and my girls had the best time exploring. It was my first time visiting this town, and I definitely wasn't expecting a library this impressive. Safe to say we'll be making the drive back!

The FCL is much more than a library. There an art gallery filled with local art. The a community…read moreclassroom. There are cases of art and artifacts throughout the two-story building. And of course, lots of books for adults, children and teens with quiet places to sit and read. The facility got its start from a Carnegie grant totally $22,500. The original limestone building opened in 1906. Today, some of the original Carnegie stairway, scrollwork and leaded glass windows can be seen in the Children's area. In 1988, a significant expansion added square feet, improved accessibility and modernized the former library. Each section of the library is named for a benefactor that provided funding. There's a sense of community pride throughout the facility. I took my granddaughter and she spent an hour playing and exploring in the children's area. The staff even provided take home project kits for her. She also bought a book in their resale shop. The staff is friendly and knowledgable. There is free street parking in front of the building. Worth a visit if you like libraries and architecture.

Wabash Indiana the lady was rude and ask to many questions about the last vehicle I had sold she…read morewanted the person's name it had nothing to do with my transaction the car was sold 5 weeks prior I couldn't remember the person's name she acted like I was lying about the plate I was transferring her name is missey I won't go back there I'll drive to Kokomo

Very nice people who know what is going on. I had an issue with the Lafayette bmv but the Frankfort…read morein cleared it up fast and got me taken care of!