A new monument will be erected this summer at James Dean’s birth site in Marion, with a dedication ceremony to be held Sept. 30, the 60th anniversary of the actor’s death.

Loretta Walker, director of Main Street Marion, and David Loehr, owner of James Dean Gallery, have been developing plans for the proposed tribute. It is expected to be an attraction for downtown Marion and a destination for fans of James Dean from around the world.

The Grant County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Community Foundation of Grant County, Halstead Architects, Bowman Construction and local business owner Jim Sutter are all collaborating to finalize plans for the project.

The tribute will include a park-like setting surrounding a six foot tall black granite monument with pictures of Dean etched onto the front, along with a picture of The Seven Gables Apartment House in which Dean was born that once stood at 4th and McClure streets in Marion. The back of the monument will have a brief biography of the iconic film star.

James Dean was born Feb. 8, 1931, and raised by an aunt and uncle in Fairmount after his mother died at a young age. He graduated from Fairmount High School in 1949 and headed to Hollywood.

Dean is most famous for the films “East of Eden,” “Rebel Without a Cause” and “Giant.” He died tragically in an auto accident Sept. 30, 1955, in California.

Source: Main Street Marion