Delco Park
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Written by Ronald W. Cox
In Kokomo, Indiana, special places include the "Steer" (Old Ben), the "Stump" (a very large Sycamore tree stump), the Elwood Haynes Museum, all in Highland Park, and "Delco Park". Delco Park was developed for the use of Delco Radio Division employees and was the spot for picnics, reunions, ball games, outdoor movies, ping-pong matches, dancing classes, dances, miniature golf, fishing, frog catching, radio amateur field day activities, foot races, archery practice, seminars, Christmas parties, tennis games, horse shoes, shuffle board, tether ball, ice skating parties, hay rides, business meetings, training sessions, and various Delco club meetings for over four decades.
Development of Delco Park
Delco Park opened in August, 1964, just two months after this author arrived at Delco Radio in June of 1964. The park was located on the banks of the Wildcat Creek and included picnic tables, outdoor cooking grills and a children's playground. The grounds were formerly known as Learner's Woods and at one time served as the site of the Howard County Indiana 4-H Fair. Initial buildings on the grounds were a gatehouse, an office and a tool storage shed and rest rooms. The Lodge was built later.
Delco Radio employees had fishing privileges on the property, but no boating or swimming was permitted. The first manager of the park was Weldon Coles.
Delco Park Features
June, 2008
(now a private fitness gym)
June, 2008
Delco Clubs that called the Park Home
- Active in the 1967 to 1973 time frame. ARRL Field Day contest with 24 hour operation at Delco Park was an annual event for several years.
Delco Dance Club
- Where many couples learned to dance.
Delco Electronics Table Tennis Club
Delco Travel Club
Delco Ski Club
Please add additional clubs to this list as you remember them. Also, please list any details as to activities, years active, etc.. (corrections are welcome also).
Delco Park Today
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