Delicious orange Bourbon glazed salmon served at GG Fairmount. InkFreeNews photos provided by Loren Schaum.

By Loren Shaum
Guest Columnist

Fairmount is a quaint, quiet town of less than 3,000 nestled in the farm country of southern Grant County. But it is also world famous. It’s the former home of the legendary ‘50’s movie icon, James Dean, and Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield. Artifacts from both are on display at the Fairmount Historical Museum where documents also show that Quakers settled the area in 1830.

Today, downtown Fairmount is highlighted by the Fairmount Farmers Bank & Trust’s building. There are also two Pilgrim churches, so the Quaker heritage lives on.

One of James Deans motorcycles at The James Dean Gallery in Fairmount.

The James Dean Gallery

Since opening in 1988, the curator claims that over 200,000 have visited from around the world. The extensive exhibit is packed with artifacts, including Dean’s high school basketball records. Wearing glasses, he played center for the Fairmount Quakers. After graduating in 1949, he enrolled at Santa Monica Community College and eventually graduated from UCLA.

After making it big in some of the ‘50’s blockbuster movies, like “Giant,” “East of Eden” and “Rebel Without a Cause,” Dean died tragically in a head-on collision on Sept. 30, 1955. It shocked the world.

A Culinary Treasure Awaits

I knew nothing about Fairmount until I interviewed Stephen Payne. Being from England, he settled in the area because of his infatuation with James Dean, and in 2005, he opened Payne’s just off the I-69 Gas City exit. Since then, this British-style pub has become another destination spot. He highly recommended Grains and Grill in Fairmount, so that’s been on the to-do list.

Jerry and Joanie Howard opened this eclectic restaurant in 2015, and it has become another destination for folks in surrounding cities. They have continued to expand in an old John Deere building by opening Bad Dad’s Brewery and a Neapolitan Pizzeria adjacent the Brewery. Their sons operate both.

Bad Dad’s

Heading into Bad Dad Brewing Company in Fairmount.

After venturing through town and being parched, we settled at the bar and perused the brew board. They had 11 brews on tap — all with interesting names like “You’re Grounded, Mister,” “Pull My Finger” and other weird names. I settled on a “Schitzebgiggels” — a festbier similar to like-brews in Germany, it was a real thirst quencher. The Tapestry of Obscenity IPA was also worthy. Their best seller, however, is the Socks and Sandals blond ale but only available in cans. We bought a four-pack, and it did not disappoint.

G&G

Luckily, we got there ahead of the crowd because people were lined-up out the door at 6 p. m. Settling at the bar, the bartender is known by everyone and very informative. She exclaimed: “It’s packed like this every night!”

The menu is simple. There’s “Pub Fare” headed by the popular “Jimmy’s mushrooms”. On an earlier visit, we had “Forest Mushrooms,” which was s batch of wild mushrooms, poached in herb butter and served in a rustic bread bowl. Rich, tasty and filling, it was a preparation not seen elsewhere, but it’s no longer on the menu.

Other sections include, the “Carving Board” (steaks), “From the Garden” (salads) and “Between the Bread” (sandwiches). The house burger is well known in these parts.

There’s always fish, and the orange bourbon glazed salmon is special. It’s also offered on any of the four salads and is excellent.

Fairmount is a delightful destination and has much to offer including the annual James Dean Festival. It is definitely worth the hour and 40-minute drive from Lake Country.

If You Go

The Fairmount Historical Museum is at 203 E. Washington St. Call (765) 948-4555 for fall hours.

The James Dean Gallery is at 425 N. Main St. Phone: (765) 948-3326. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

G&G, the brewery and pizzeria, is at 407 W. Washington St. G&G phone: (765) 673-7971.

Bad Dad Brewing Co., is at 407 W. Washington St., Suite C. Phone: (765) 948-4193.