The town of Kokomo was established in 1879 at an elevation of 10,618. Mines in the area produced zinc, lead, silver and gold. By 1881 its population neared 10,000 but fire swept through the town resulting in rebuilding at the nearby town of Recen. The post office name remained "Kokomo" which was the town name that stuck. Today the town is covered by tailings from the Climax Molybdenum mine.