Train Wreck in Fairland, Nov 1961

On Sunday morning, 5 Nov 1961, Fairland residents were awakened by a 28-train car derailment in the heart of town. The 161-car freight train was en route from Indianapolis to Cincinnati on the New York Central line with 1 loaded & 160 empty cars. The journal box broke on the car that was loaded with steel scrap which led to the derailment.

Newspapers across Indiana reported the story. No one was injured, but Bertha Hasler, age 80, was quoted with her description of the loud crash as some of the train cars landed 15 feet from her house. A tool shed & utility poles were smashed.

A crew of 20 with 2 wreckers had the site cleared by Monday.

We thank Richard "Dick" Thurston for photographing & documenting the scene and his family for sharing the photos!

If you have photos of interest, please consider sharing them with the Fairland Historical Society.

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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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