Historic Markers Installed in Fairland

The Fairland Historical Society is excited to work with community partners to share history. Today, we hosted the Historic Marker Celebration - Fairland because of the work of many people.

Robbie Stonebraker first suggested the idea of a plaque to document the history of the Fairland School. We love great ideas!

Rick Daily helped to research county records.

Jim & Joyce Harrell shared photos of the 1883 & 1928 schools.

The City & County Progress Grants administered by the Blue River Community Foundation provided the funding to make this possible.

Mike Green said “Yes” when we asked if we could install a plaque for Fairland & railroad history at the old train depot.

Tammy, John & Larken at Begley Signs helped turn the images & text into beautiful historical markers.

And, our Board members were essential throughout this process.

So, today, we say “Thank you” to our community for making this possible! We are so happy to celebrate with you.

Robbie Stonebraker, John & Tammy Begley, Anne Hardwick, Kathy Miller, Steve Elder

Laura Land & Anne Hardwick

Anne Hardwick, Tammy & John Begley, Laura Land

Historic marker at the Fairland Park picnic shelter, 209 Commercial St.

Historic marker at old train depot, 102 W Washington St in Fairland.

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Sep 16 - Fairland Cemetery Tour

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

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.

Delbert LaRue Martin to be buried in Fairland Cemetery

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...

Fairland, Indiana History

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