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Marion, Indiana: James Dean Born Here

Born on February 8, 1931. The house is long gone, so the spot was marked by a metal star in a sidewalk, unveiled by actor Martin Sheen in 1989. A monument just south of it was unveiled Sep. 30, 2015, the 60th anniversary of JD's death.

Address:
W. 3rd St., Marion, IN
Directions:
On the southwest corner of E. 4th St. and S. McClure St.
Admission:
Free
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Back of the new James Dean monument.

James Dean Born Here

Back side of the new monument.

[Ladona Smith, 09/08/2021]

James Dean birthplace monument.

James Dean Birth Site Memorial

A new memorial honors the site where the late actor James Dean was born in Marion. This expanded memorial replaces the small marker that used to mark the location.

[Alan Culley, 02/02/2016]

The old birthplace star in the sidewalk is still there. This new park and monument are just to the south of it, replacing an unsightly vacant lot.

James Dean - A Legend in His Lifetime.

James Dean Birth Site

The James Dean Birth Site marker is on the corner, across from the old train station. [Carin, 06/28/2014]

James Dean star.

James Dean Birth Site

James Dean star in the parking lot where his house once stood: "1931 - 1955 - A legend in his lifetime."

[Rob Southgate, 10/25/2011]
James Dean Birth Site

Fairmount is often listed as the birth site of James Dean, but he was actually born in Marion, Indiana. When entering Marion on Indiana 18, you cross a set of railroad tracks just before entering the old downtown. There is a former train station on the left, and directly across the street is a Goodyear Tire sign at the corner of a small parking lot. Just next to the base of this sign is a small boulder honoring "Mr. Marion," a local sportscaster, and just behind this rock is a metal star affixed to the pavement marking the birth site of James Dean. The house he was born in was torn down sometime in the late 1970s or early 1980s, I believe.

[Ezra, 06/11/2006]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Oil Derrick Street SignsOil Derrick Street Signs, Gas City, IN - 5 mi.
James Dean's GraveJames Dean's Grave, Fairmount, IN - 9 mi.
Tree with Car and BicyclesTree with Car and Bicycles, Fairmount, IN - 9 mi.
In the region:
Teddy Bear Trees and Rocket, Decatur, IN - 44 mi.

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