Four US Cities Named Fairbanks

Four American communities share the name Fairbanks:

1. Fairbanks, Alaska — Largest (pop. ~32,000), interior hub, University of Alaska, Northern Lights, "Golden Heart City"
2. Fairbanks, Florida — Unincorporated, Houston County, rural Panhandle
3. Fairbanks, Indiana — Unincorporated, Sullivan County, southwestern IN
4. Fairbanks, Texas — Unincorporated, Houston County (different from FL), East Texas

Origins

Most named for Charles W. Fairbanks (1852-1918) — Indiana senator, Teddy Roosevelt's VP (1905-09). Alaska city: named 1902 by founder E.T. Barnette honoring Fairbanks (who never visited). Others: post offices named during his VP tenure.

Not to Confuse

• Fairbanks, Oregon — former name of Culver (Jefferson County)
• Fairbanks, Louisiana — ghost town
• Fairbanks, Morse & Co. — historic scale manufacturer (St. Johnsbury, VT)

Four living Fairbanks. One famous (Alaska). Three quiet (FL, IN, TX). All honor a Hoosier VP.