Fairland, Indiana History

Thanks to this support from the Beaty/C-Tech Fund administered by the Blue River Community Foundation we will be working to place more historical markers in the area. We are grateful and excited to share more history with the community. Thank you! We will be working on this project during the winter. Watch for more details in the spring of 2026!

Oct. 20, 5:30 p.m. Grave Cleaning, Pleasant View Cemetery, 10066 N 850 W, Fairland, Indiana. Volunteers Wanted: Join us for this community service project! Learn how to clean gravestones, and then help us to clean some at the historic Pleasant View Cemetery. We'll work from 5:30 - 7 p.m. This will be our second time working at this cemetery, so our efforts will make a real impact. Wear your yard work clothes, and bring gloves, if you have them. If you have a jug of clean water, bring it to use to rinse the stones. Also, bring water for yourself to stay hydrated. Cleaning supplies (cleaner, brushes, sprayers) will be provided.  Fairland Historical Society events are supported by City & County Progress Grants administered by Blue River Community Foundation. 

July 29, 2025 The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced today that U.S. Navy Reserve Ensign Delbert L. Martin, 23, killed during World War II, was accounted for on June 18, 2025. During World War II, Martin was assigned to Fighting Squadron 12, USS Randolph (CV-15). On March 21, 1945, he was reported missing in action after his F6F-5 "Hellcat" failed to pull up from a dive and crashed in Galig-Tomil, Yap Islands, Federated States of Micronesia. Martin's remains were not accounted for after the war and on March 22, 1946, the Navy issued a presumptive finding of death. Ens Martin was Missing in Action (MIA). His name is permanently inscribed on the Manila American Cemetery and Monument. 2025 burial: Delbert LaRue Martin, 23, was killed in action while flying over Yap Island in Micronesia on March 21, 1945. His remains have been recovered, and he will be buried next to his parents at Fairland Cemetery. Survivors include his nieces, Kathryn Brown...

  Celebrate with the Fairland Historical Society on Sep. 29, 6:30 - 8 p.m. ! We have been collecting historic photos, and we want to celebrate by sharing them with you. We invite you to join us for light dinner at this informal event. Donations accepted.  If you have historic photos of the Fairland area that you want to share, bring them with you, and we will scan more photos to add to our collection. Location: Fairland Town Hall, 105 S Walnut St, Fairland, Indiana. Fairland Historical Society 2025 events are supported by City & County Progress Grants administered by Blue River Community Foundation. Can't attend? You can view our photo collection online .

On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the Fairland Historical Society hosted a Fairland Cemetery Historical Walking Tour at the Fairland Cemetery, 4430 N 400 W, Fairland, Indiana.  Thanks to Donna Dennison, Genealogy Dept. Head, Shelby County Public Library, for leading us on an interesting tour with lots of details about some fascinating former Fairland residents. The event was free with donations accepted.  Events are supported by City & County Progress Grants administered by Blue River Community Foundation.     Here are some of the individuals buried in the cemetery who were highlighted. (Click on the names for information shared via Find a Grave.) Ola & Ora Powers Sylvester Skillman Nancy Green Tomlinson Brown Hiram Ross Martha Bridgland Culbertson Joseph & Luvina Clark Plymate Joseph Carson Jeremiah , Dicy , & Isaac Odell Carrie Dake Fields Strong & Addison Fields W. C. E. Wanee

We’re happy to share that the Blue River Community Foundation awarded the Fairland Historical Society a Northwestern Hometown Community Fund grant! With this support, we’ll continue to share local history. We are very grateful!