ABOUT FAIRMOUNT
Located in Grant County, Indiana, the Town of Fairmount was first settled by Joseph Winslow, who cleared land about four miles north of town in 1830 on what is now the Marcus Winslow farm (the same farm where James Dean spent his childhood). The first home built within the present town limits was started in November 1831 by John Benbow and completed two years later by Daniel Baldwin at the southwest corner of what is now State Road 26 (Fairmount's Eighth and Main Streets).
By 1850, the community was a prospering settlement widely known for its good water and rich soil. The word spread among the settlers, so David Stanfield platted a portion of his farm for the sale of lots. It is said he disliked the name Pucker (which it had been named for 20 years) for his small town with a population of 300. Other names were proposed. Stanfield wanted to call the town Kingston; however, his son-in-law Joseph W. Baldwin had heard about Fairmount Park in Philadelphia and liked the name. The two, being unable to agree on the name selection, agreed to let the surveyor they employed, William Neal, decide. Neal, who had just returned from visiting Fairmount Park, decided in favor of Fairmount.
Today, Fairmount has a permanent population of less than 3,000. During our annual Museum Days every September, though, our population grows nearly 10 times in size. Our Museum Days remember actor James Dean, who graduated from Fairmount High School in 1949 and is buried on the Park Cemetery here in town.
In addition to James Dean, Fairmount has had several notable residents. Jim Davis, creator of the Garfield comic strips, was raised in Fairmount and graduated from Fairmount High School in 1963. Other Fairmount High School alumni include Phil Jones, a television journalist best known for his work on CBS’s 48 Hours, and Robert Sheets, former director of the National Hurricane Center in Florida. Mary Jane Ward, author of The Snake Pit and several other books, was born in Fairmount in 1905. The Snake Pit was a Random House Book-of-the-Month Club selection and later became an Oscar Award-winning motion picture.
James Dean
Born in 1931 just outside of Fairmount, James Dean was an American actor in the 1950s best known for his roles in East of Eden, Rebel without a Cause, and Giant. With a passion for cars and racing, James Dean is a prominent icon in American culture. He was posthumously nominated for two “Best Actor in a Leading Role” Academy Awards for his work in East of Eden and Giant.
James grew up in Fairmount with his aunt and uncle, Ortense and Marcus Winslow. James first started acting during his time at Fairmount High School—in fact, the original stage on which he performed now stands in Playacres Park. James is buried in Park Cemetery in Fairmount. Each September, thousands of fans from around the world visit Fairmount for our Museum Days/Remembering James Dean Festival.
Jim Davis & Garfield
Jim Davis, creator of the Garfield comic strips, grew up on a small farm in Fairmount—which perhaps served as a source of inspiration for Garfield the cat. First published in 1978, Garfield has run in more than 2,000 newspapers around the world, making it “The Most Widely Syndicated Comic Strip in the World,” according to Guinness World Records.
After its success in newspapers, Garfield was adapted for television programs and movies, becoming a staple in today’s culture. Jim has been the recipient of Emmy Awards, the “Distinguished Hoosier” award from the State of Indiana, the “Best Strip” award from the National Cartoonist Society, and several other awards and recognitions.
Photo: © Paws, Inc.