Granite monument to be dedicated at James Dean’s birth place

MARION, Ind. (AP) – A black granite monument honoring Indiana-born movie star James Dean will be dedicated this fall at the site of a north-central Indiana apartment house where Dean was born.

The 6-foot-tall monument etched with Dean’s image will be installed at the site of Marion’s one-time Seven Gables Apartment House.

Dean was born there in 1931 in the city 60 miles northeast of Indianapolis.

The monument will be the park-like memorial’s focal point. It’s set for dedication Sept. 30 on the 60th anniversary of Dean’s death at age 24 in a California car crash.

Dean grew up in Fairmount, Ind. He had iconic roles in “Rebel Without a Cause,” ”Giant” and “East of Eden.”

Main Street Marion director Loretta Walker developed the memorial with James Dean Gallery owner David Loehr.