L. A. Blackburn (1968)

In 1968 Mr. L. A. Blackburn was named the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. He had grown up in Wayne County, married a Fairfield girl, and raised four daughters. Mr. Blackburn retired in 1953. Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn believed in community service.

The Blackburns always seemed to have time to be active in a committee or as an officer of an organization. They believed in making Wayne County and Fairfield a better place to live.

Mr. Blackburn served on the City Council as early as 1916. In 1927 he served on the FCHS school board. MRS. Blackburn became a member of the library board around 1930, and served for over 40 years.

Between 1930 and 1935 Mr. Blackburn served as mayor of Fairfield. No doubt, this was a difficult tenure due to the Depression gripping the nation. In 1935 Mr. Blackburn helped bring Airtex manufacturing to Fairfield. He then served as the Airtex director, treasurer, vice-president, and chairman of the board, at various times.

In 1940 Mr. Blackburn served on the Fairfield Memorial Hospital board and helped guide the building of the hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn personally donated to every worthy cause that they helped promote.

On being named Citizen of the year in 1968, the Chamber of commerce commented that “generations yet unborn will enjoy a better Fairfield in the years to come because of Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Blackburn.

DGS archives 3/2022