March 5 - Newspapers of the Late 1800s: Local News & Gossip

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The Fairland Historical Society is pleased to announce our first presentation for 2025!

Join us on March 5, 2025 at 7 p.m. for Newspapers of the Late 1800s: Local News & Gossip.

Donna Dennison, Genealogy Dept. Head, Shelby County Public Library, portrays Gabby as she reads the local newspapers from the late 1800s. What stories will she share? What have the locals been up to? Join us for an evening of fun & history as we kick off our 2025 events!

This event is free & open to the public; donations accepted. The event will be at the Fairland Town Hall, 105 S Walnut St, Fairland, Indiana, 46126.

Watch for more events in 2025, and be sure to Follow us on Facebook as we share more Fairland area history.

We thank our 2024 donors! If you wish to make a donation in 2025, donations may be made online. Thank you for your support!

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Fairland Town Founders: Henry Jenkins & Isaac Odell

In 1852, Isaac Odell & Henry Jenkins hired J. M. Elliott Company of Shelbyville to plat the town of Fairland, Indiana. On 21 Oct 1852, they filed the documents with the Shelby County Recorder to create the town. Pictured is the Jenkins home directly south of town. Henry Jenkins married Rachel Wharton on 29 Aug 1841 in Shelby County. They had 3 known children: Irwin (died in infancy), Ruth (b. 1846) & Cassius (1848). Rachel died in 1851. Henry owned the steam sawmill in Fairland & sold real estate. Henry married Mary Ann Romerill on 3 Aug 1853, & they had 4 known children: Harriett (b. 1855), Joseph (1857), Mary "Mollie" (1858), Amanda (1860). After Henry's death in 1863, Mary Ann & all the kids (including her 2 step-children, Ruth & Cassius) moved to Holt County, Missouri. Cassius' 1931 obituary (Centralia Journal, Kansas, 16 Oct 1931, p 1) includes: "Shortly after his father's death in company with his step-mother (Mary Ann) he moved ...

July 20: Photo Scanning Event

Do you have old photos of Fairland, Moral or Brandywine Township (before 1965)? The Fairland Historical Society is hosting an Open House on July 20, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Fairland Town Hall, 105 S Walnut St. We want to preserve Fairland, Brandywine & Moral Township history by scanning photos. Bring your photos for us to scan & save. We are especially interested in photos of buildings, schools, farms, work, transportation, & leisure activities. We will scan the photos, and then you will keep them. Even if you don't have photos, talk with us & share your stories & memories of the Fairland, Indiana area. This is an open house-style event, and you do not need to stay for the entire time.

Be a Donor to the Fairland Historical Society

The Fairland Historical Society was established in 2024 to share the history of Fairland, Indiana, including Moral & Brandywine Townships. Initial programs include: Scanning photos Researching history & genealogy Collecting oral histories Cemetery cleaning The Fairland Historical Society is a non-profit, public charity, 501(c)(3), 509(a)(2). Your donations will help with our initial work of documenting, preserving & sharing history. Donations may be mailed to: Fairland Historical Society, PO Box 150, Fairland, IN 46126. Follow us on Facebook .

Fairland, Indiana History

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