Haynes Statue to be Unveiled in Kokomo

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The Howard County Automotive Heritage Hall of Fame is set to unveil a memorial to a legendary Kokomo innovator. The hall of fame’s board of directors will showcase a life-sized bronze statue of Elwood Haynes, who created the first mechanically-successful gas-powered automobile.

The unveiling ceremony will take place at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the Howard County Historical Society. Vernon Graves, president of the Howard County Automotive Heritage Hall of Fame, called the statue a "long overdue accomplishment."

Haynes co-founded Haynes Stellite Works, now known as Haynes International Inc.,  in 1912. Prior to that, Haynes invented the alloys stellite and stainless steel. Haynes International remains headquartered in Kokomo and Haynes was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame last July.

Haynes’ great-grandsons, Jeff and Steve Hillis, will be on hand for the ceremony, along with community leaders and elected officials from Kokomo and Howard County. The statue will be made open to the public at 1:30 p.m.