Haynes Stellite Company 
Haynes Automobile Company
Kokomo, IN
1895-1925
1895-1903 - Haynes-Apperson Company
1903- 1925 - Haynes Automobile Company

This page added 12-23-2023.

The Haynes Automobile Company was not involved in World War Two, as it went bankrupt in 1924 and closed in 1925.  However, it is an important part of the legacy of Elwood Haynes and the history of Kokomo, IN.  The demise of the Haynes Automobile Company resulted in the 1930 arrival of the Chrysler transmission plant that occupied the former Haynes Automobile Company factory on Home Avenue.  Chrysler and the various companies that purchased the brand name have not only stayed in Kokomo, but built new factories in the area.  Currently, a joint effort between Stellantis and Samsung SDI is building an electric vehicle battery plant that will employ 1,400 workers.  The demise of the Haynes Automobile Company in 1925 allowed for a state-of-the-art automotive electric vehicle battery plant to be built in the Kokomo area 100 years later.

This is an image of the early days of the Haynes-Apperson Company in Kokomo.

This diorama at the former Kokomo Automobile Museum in Kokomo, IN shows a likeness of Mr. Elwood Haynes and a replica of his first automobile, the "Pioneer."  The original "Pioneer" took its first test drive in 1894, making it the second automobile produced in the United States.  Mr. Haynes donated the original "Pioneer" to the Smithsonian in 1910.  Author's photo.  

With the exception of one photo, all of the Haynes vehicles shown on this page were taken by the author in 2014 at the former Kokomo Automobile Museum.  This museum had a collection of  over 100 automobiles and trucks and was one of the best vehicle museums I have visited.  Unfortunately, it closed in 2018 when it lost its floor space due to doubling of the rent.

The "Pioneer" was Elwood Hayne's idea.  However, it was a local mechanic by the name of Elmer Apperson that owned the Riverside Machine Shop in Kokomo that built the vehicle.  On July 10, 1894, the "Pioneer" took a trip down Pumpkinville Pike in Kokomo.  Author's photo.  

In 1895, Elwood Haynes and Elmer Apperson began the Haynes-Apperson Company with the goal of producing fifty vehicles in 1895.  This was the first company in the United States to begin production of automobiles.  The vehicle shown here is a 1900 Haynes-Apperson.    

This is a 1902 Haynes-Apperson.  This model was built after Elmer Apperson left the company to start his own automobile manufacturing company in Kokomo.  

This Haynes 1905 Model L is on display at the Elwood Haynes Museum in Kokomo.  Author's photo. 

Now this 1911 Haynes Speedster is one cool looking automobile. 

Not only did Haynes produce two-seat sports cars, but the company also produced pickup trucks.  This one was built in the 1917 model year. 

Next to the 1917 pickup truck was this 1916 touring car. 

This 1921 Model 55 touring car was one of two 1921 model year vehicles that were on display at the Kokomo Automobile Museum. 

This is a 1921 Series 74 seven passenger touring car.

This is a 1923 Series 75 touring car.

The end of the line.  This is one of the 1,500 1924 vehicles that Haynes built.  This particular example is a Model 60 Sport Touring vehicle. 

This aerial photo shows the Haynes Automobile Company's factory complex.  This view is looking northwest with Home Avenue in the foreground.  This photo was taken after 1916, because the 1916 Sanborn map below only shows the factory area to the west of the railroad tracks.   Currently, the three story factory in the foreground is the only portion of the Haynes Automobile Company plant that still exists.  It is this plant that Chrysler moved into in 1930. 

This 1916 Sanborn map shows that the company only had a factory on the west side of the railroad tracks. 

This Google maps satellite view shows that the factory complex to the west of the railroad tracks have been razed and repurposed for an apartment complex and a credit union.

Battered and bruised, the four story former Haynes Automobile Company factory on the east side of the railroad tracks and west of Home Avenue still stands.  It was this factory that Chrysler moved into in 1930 to begin the production of automotive transmissions.  During World War Two, Chrysler produced transmissions in this factory for both the M3 and M4 medium tanks.  It also manufactured parts for the 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun.  Author's photo.

This and the next five photos were taken of the complex from along Home Avenue.  Author's photo.

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The last occupant of the complex was an automotive salvage yard.  The facility now has a "for sale" sign along Home Avenue.  This view that looks into the ground floor shows the heavy duty construction of the building with the large concrete pillars.  Author's photo.

This photo was taken on the south side of the plant at the intersection of State Street and the railroad tracks.  There is now a walking trail along the tracks known as the Industrial Heritage Trail.  Author's photo.

There is something elegant about old factories like this.  While long in the years, the yellow brick construction stands out in the late afternoon sunshine.  Plants like these have character that the modern metal factories of the current era will never have in their old age.  Author's photo.

This view is along the railroad tracks and walking trail looking at the northwest corner of the factory.  Author's photo.

This informational sign is posted on the factory.   Author's photo.

On the west side of Main Street across the street from the Credit Union is the former headquarters and office building for the Haynes Automobile Company.  It has been repurposed into an apartment building.  Author's photo.

One hundred years after the company went out of business, the building still bears the name of the first company in the United States to build automobiles.  Author's photo.