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James
Byron Dean
Miss
Fabi Dean's Tribute Page dedicated to the memory of the Life, Legend,
and Legacy of James Byron Dean.
February
8, 1931 to September 30, 1955
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James Dean's Hometown of Fairmount, Indiana
Fairmount Indiana (also known as Fairmount Township) is in Grant County and sits right in the middle of Indiana. It currently has a population of about 3,000 residents, however,the town is so quiet that you hardly see any traffic. It's hard to imagine where all these residents are at.
The first settler in the area was Joseph Winslow, who cleared out land about four miles north of town in 1830, on what is now the Marcus Winslow farm.
Word spread quickly among other settlers in the area and the town slowly started to form. In 1851, Joseph W Baldwin built a frame house on Washington & Main street and became the first merchant in town. On December 10, 1870, the first town election took place and the first presidential election took place in 1876.
The Fairmount community gained national attention in 1887 when the Fairmount Mining Company was organized for the purpose of obtaining natural gas. On April 17, 1887, the mining co. struck gas. The well, which was known as "Jumbo", in the fall of 1888, caught on fire. It attracted so much attention, excursions were run for the hundred of residents who came out to see the blazing monster. The gas well was said to have the greatest flow of gas than any other well in the state of Indiana. When the gas failed about 10 years after its boom, the glass factories left Fairmount and the population dwindled.
The township of Fairmount has been known for its claim of first inventions and its remarkable residents. Milton Wright, father of Orville and Wilbur Wright inventors of the airplaine, was credited for founding the first telephone co. in Fairmount. Cyrus Pemberton is credited with making and selling the first ice cream cone in 1903. William "Bill" Dolman who operated a lunch wagon from 1885-1907 has laid claim that he made, fried, and sold the first hamburger.
However, the most notable residents who are best known are James Dean who sky-rocketed to fame with his three movies, "East of Eden," "Rebel Without a Cause," and "Giant." Jim Davis, creator of cartoon strip "Garfield" and CBS Correspondent, Washington D.C., Phil Jones.
Fairmount remembers James Dean and Jim Davis on its welcome sign with the slogan "Where cool was born". In addition, to promote Fairmount and its Historic Museum, the museum sponsors a four day weekend festival the last week of September known as "Museum Days".
Fairmount Historic Gallery
Places of Interest while visiting Fairmount
James Dean is licensed by CMG Worldwide, Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46256
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