"The Sycamore Stump is one of Howard County's few remaining landmarks of the past. The old tree originally stood in the west end of Howard County about two miles north of New London," The City of Kokomo says.

"According to the description of those who remember the tree, it was a hundred feet high before storms broke it down to a huge, hollow stump. The trunk was more than 50 feet in circumference and one of its lower branches was reported to be eight feet in diameter.

"The tree was estimated to be 1,500 years old according to newspaper articles. On Sunday, June 18, 1916, the stump was moved to Highland Park where it could be preserved as a relic of the county's pioneer period. The stump is on display at the Visitor's Center located in Highland Park." 

"A giant sycamore tree once stood several miles west of Kokomo. It was centuries old -- no one knew how many -- when it was felled by a storm, leaving a hollow stump over 57 feet around, 18 feet wide, and 12 feet high," the Roadside America says.

"In 1938 Kokomo had the National Youth Administration built an open air shelter around the stump. The shelter was eventually screened, and in 1989 it was glassed into an all-weather pavilion with two added wings, one for a park visitor center, the other to house Kokomo's other mega-attraction, the World's Largest Steer.

"Randy Morris, the current park superintendent, told us that the stump was once made into a phone booth (it could hold over two dozen people), but it was removed long ago. The sycamore stump is now just a hollow shell: gnarled, cracked, and eerie. It looks like it could be inhabited by a witch that eats children. Kokomo loves it -- so do we -- because it's the largest of its kind in the world. "I've never heard of any challengers," said Randy."

"One of the most common species of tree native to North America is the Sycamore, or Platanus occidentalis. Also called the American Sycamore, Buttonwood, Occidental Plane, and American Planetree, the Sycamore is a beautiful tree easily distinguishable for it’s mottled, exfoliating bark. The bark of a Sycamore flakes off in big, irregular masses, leaving behind a blotchy surface with patterns of green, white, black, and brown bark," the Timberland Tree Care says.

"In the early 1900’s, a giant, centuries-old sycamore tree fell from a storm several miles west of Kokomo, Indiana. Although no one could identify exactly how old the tree was, the stump that stood in its place was over 12 feet tall, 18 feet wide, and 57 feet in circumference! A man by the name of Jacob Bergman was the commissioner for the Kokomo City Park at the time. He took a strong liking to the old tree stump and decided it would make a great attraction to honor our state’s pioneer days. For $300, Bergman was able to hire a tractor to pull the stump from the outskirts of Kokomo, all the way to the City Park. This took place on Sunday, June 18^th, 1916.

"So in 1938, Kokomo enlisted the National Youth Administration to build an open air screened-in shelter around the stump to preserve it from harm and deterioration. In 1989, an all-weather glass pavilion was built around it, along with two added wings for a visitation center and another attraction (the world’s largest steer)."

"If you're debating reasons to visit Kokomo Indiana, here's another very strong case - they've got one of the World's Largest Sycamore Stumps," the citiseeker.com says.

"Spanning a whopping 57 feet (17.37 meters) in circumference, the stump stands about 12 feet (3.66 meters) in height, making the one of the largest known attraction of of its kind, the world over. In fact, it is so large, that a big telephone booth, that could accommodate more than ten people, used to be housed within it!

"The sycamore tree that stood atop the stump was at least eight centuries old, and perhaps that's why the stump now holds a place of honor at the Highland Park, just off Deffenbaugh Street."

"When I said giant, I mean over 57 feet around, 18 feet wide, and 12 feet high. This makes it the world's LARGEST sycamore stump," The Kokomo Post says.

"When the tree was knocked down by a storm sometime in the early 1900s, some guy said, why don’t we haul it to Highland Park? And that’s exactly what happened. Nearly 100 years later, the stump is still there, waiting for you to go check it out."

"This is an enormous sycamore stump that fell due to an intense storm. The town’s commissioner, Jacob Bergman paid someone $300 to haul it to the park as an artifact from the pioneer days. This was in 1916 and that would be the equivalent of about $8000," the Only In Your State says..

"This sign provides basic information about the stump. What it doesn’t say is that the stump once housed a telephone booth that has since been removed. Before it was placed in this location, it was vandalized by people who carved their names into it. It was moved into this place at the same time as Ben in 1989."

"Old Ben and the sycamore stump is located inside of highland park inside a pavilion. The stump is absolutely huge and so is old ben. Very cool!"

"Old Ben and the stump were both cool to see and a great place to stop and stretch your legs."

"I've seen this since I was young. It is incredible how large it is! Would be nice if you could get up close it."

"I grew up in this area, so I've visited him many times. He still makes me go WOW! Fun for kids to see as well as adults."

"All-in-all this takes about three minutes to enjoy, but it is such a strange attraction I can't help but recommend it! Old Ben and the stump are housed in the same building situated on a very, very lovely park (which also features a covered bridge!!) with picnic tables, playground, and easy parking."

"I like finding/seeing the unusual. The old Steer and huge Sycamore Stump fits that bill. It's something you won't find anywhere else. It didn't take much time but glad we stopped."

Photos: World’s Largest Sycamore Stump: world record in Kokomo, Indiana
(1) TripAdvisor

(2) Midwest Wanderer

(3) YouTube/More4U2know