Fairmount, Indiana (08.25.2006)

On our way down to the Wilstem Guest Ranch, we spent the night at the Holiday Inn Express in Gas City, Indiana. We woke up early, had a nice breakfast and headed down I-69 to Fairmount, Indiana. We spent the rest of the morning, exploring Fairmount and finding local James Dean's landmarks. See the pictures below of our adventure. It was a once in a lifetime experience. Interestingly enough, we saw *many* people driving around town in golfcarts, and this was not only in Fairmount either. This seemed to be the predominant method of transportation in Southern Indiana!

One of the many signs promoting the James Dean festival in September.


Fairmount High School where Dean graduated in 1949.


The kids and I in front of one of the houses where James Dean was raised at Vine Street and E. Washington Street.


Yummer and the Winslow farm in the background. James Dean was raised here by his Aunt and Uncle after his mother passed away at age 8.


This is the front of the family farm. It is still owned by his cousin Marcus and is well-maintained. We actually met a woman who lives four farms away from the farm on the West Baden Springs Hotel tour!


This is the original motorcycle shop where Dean bought his first motorbike. This is also down the street from the Winslow farm. Morrissey posed in front of here as well in "Suedehead." I peeked inside, and there are a couple of motorbikes in there.


Park Cemetary is where Dean is buried. It is also down the street from the Winslow farm. Here is a sign directing visitors to his grave.


Dean's final resting place.


Dean's aunt and uncle are also buried. Their dual headstone is next to Dean.


Morrissey posed by this headstone of Cal Dean in "Suedehead."


This distinctive building with the "Hershey's Kiss" on the top has been a bank in downtown Fairmount for many years. You can see this in the "Suedehead" video.


I was excited to see this record shop. You can see the sign in the "Suedehead" video. It was closed when we walked by it.


The kids are sitting in front of an Antiques store in downtown Fairmount.


The Fairmount Historical Museum has a nice collection of Dean memorabilia from classmates, family and Dean himself. It relies solely on admissions donations and souvenir purchases to operate. It also has Jim Davis (Garfield) memorabilia and other items related to the town.


To get to and out of Fairmount, you have to go through miles of cornfields. Here are the kids in the middle of the cornfields as we head out to the ranch.