Page Title goes here

Climate

Indiana Climate Normals

(1971 - 2000)

Month	Mean Temp.	Max Temp.	Min. Temp.	Precipitation
Jan.	26.0	34.4	17.7	2.48
Feb.	30.5	39.8	21.2	2.27
Mar.	40.7	50.8	30.5	3.36
Apr.	51.0	62.3	39.8	3.89
May	61.4	72.8	50.0	4.46
June	70.5	81.5	59.4	4.19
July	74.3	85.1	63.4	4.22
Aug.	72.2	83.2	61.3	3.91
Sept.	65.2	76.9	53.4	3.12
Oct.	53.6	65.3	41.9	3.02
Nov.	42.3	51.4	33.2	3.44
Dec.	31.2	39.2	23.1	3.13

Source: Indiana State Climate Office at Purdue

Back to Top

Famous Natives

Jim Davis, creator of "Garfield," the lasagna-loving comic strip cat, was born in Marion and reared near Fairmount. "Garfield" appears in thousands of newspapers around the world. Davis' studio, Paws Inc., is located near Muncie, Indiana.

James Dean starred in "East of Eden," "Giant," and "Rebel Without A Cause" before he was tragically killed at the age of 24 in 1955. Dean was born in Marion and spent much of his childhood in Fairmount.

Mildred Dilling born 1894, became the most renowned woman harpist in the world. Harpo Marx, Bob Hope, Deanna Durbin, and Sir Laurence Olivier were among Dilling's students. During her career, Dilling performed seven recitals at the White House in Washington, DC.

Elisabeth Hamilton Friermood authored nearly 20 children's books, many of them based on the simple life of growing up in Marion. Friermood was born in Marion in 1903. She also worked at the Marion Public Library!

Phil Jones is known throughout the U.S. for his work as a television journalist; Jones has been seen most recently on CBS's "48 Hours." Jones graduated from Fairmount High School in 1955.

Robert Sheets is the former director of the National Hurricane Center in Coral Gables, Florida. Sheets is a 1955 graduate of Fairmount High School and attended Ball State University in nearby Muncie.

Willis VanDevanter was born in Marion in 1859. In 1910, President Taft appointed VanDevanter to the position of U.S. Supreme Court Justice where he served for 26 years.

Mary Jane Ward authored several books including "The Snake Pit," a Book of the Month Club selection which became a major motion picture starring Olivia DeHaviland. Ward was born in Fairmount in 1905.

Celebrity status is not limited to those who were born in Grant County; all of the following recognizable names lived in Grant County at some point in their lives:

Kennesaw Mountain Landis served an apprenticeship in the Marion law office of Circuit Court Judge Custer but is better known as the first commissioner of professional baseball.

Joaquin Miller the "Poet of the Sierras, " spent some of his childhood near Marion. Miller is best known for his poem "Columbus."

Samuel Plato African-American building contractor, lived in Marion from 1902-1921. During that time he built Marion's Hostess House, at least two churches, and the Platonian apartments. His later career included a number of post offices and other government projects.

George Steele, Jr. who lived in Marion until 1896, piloted the ZR-3 Dirigible in the first trans-Atlantic crossing of the rigid airship. Steele made his journey 2 1/2 years before Lindbergh's historic crossing in 1927.

Marie Webster wrote the first book on quilts, "Quilts: Their Story and How to Make Them," designed innovative quilt patterns, and operated her quilt pattern company during the years she lived in Marion, 1902-1942. Webster's home at 926 S. Washington, Marion, has been restored as the Quilters Hall of Fame.

Source: Indiana State Climate Office at Purdue

Back to Top

General Information

 

Time Zone:
Grant County observes Eastern Standard Time (EST) throughout the year.

Elevation:
853 feet above sea level

Area:
Grant County: 418 square miles
City of Marion: 12 square miles

Population According to 2000 Census
Source: United States Census 2000

Grant County	73,403
Marion	31,320
Gas City	5,940
Upland	3,803
Fairmount	2,992
Jonesboro	1,887
Converse	1,137
Swayzee	1,011
Van Buren	935
Sweetser	906
Matthews	595
Fowlerton	298

Major Employers (500 or more employees):
Source: Grant County Economic Growth Council

Name	Location	Services	No. of Employees
General Motors Metal Fabricating	Marion	Mfg	1400
Marion General Hospital	Marion	Healthcare	1090
Indiana Wesleyan University	Marion	University	900
Veterans Hospital	Marion	Healthcare	865
Wal-Mart DC	Gas City	Dist	850
Dollar General DC	Marion	Dist	650
Taylor University	Upland	University	600

Back to Top

Media

	Newspapers
Chronicle Tribune	Marion	Daily
Courier	Upland	Weekly
News-Sun	Fairmount	Weekly
Oak-Hill Times	Swayzee	Weekly
Sports Hotline	Marion	Weekly
Twin City Journal Reporter	Gas City	Weekly
	Radio
WBAT	1400 AM	Local News Radio
WCJC	99.3 FM	Country
WMRI	860 AM	Music of Your Life
WXXC	106.9 FM	Indiana's Classic Rock
	Television
Brighthouse	Channel 9	Community Programming
WIWU	Channel 51	Family/Christian/Community
WNDY	Channel 23	Family-Oriented Programming
WSOT	Channel 57	Famiy-Oriented Programming

Back to Top