James Dean Lives!
By Dave Wallace

The best thing to happen to the farm town of Fairmount, Ind., since James Dean left may have been the arrival of New Englander David Loehr. In the 10 years since, Loehr (right in photo) has converted his huge personal collection of Dean memorabilia into the kind of art gallery that any Hot Rod Nostalgia reader would love.

Last fall, three members of HRN's staff spent more than five hours roaming the lower floor of David's converted 1890's Victorian - not nearly enough time to adequately examine the hundreds of cool exhibits, let alone enjoy the basement collectibles store operated by an old pal, Lenny Prussack (left).

The James Dean Memorial Gallery is a short ride (or a long walk, when its not December) from Dean's high school, home, downtown hangouts and final resting place. These and other points of interest appear in a map published by the gallery. (Send $1 to 425 N. Main St., Fairmount, IN 46928 for yours, or dial 765-948-3326 for info.) From now on, we won't even consider visiting Indianapolis without making the 90-minute drive north.

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