Fairland is a town in Brandywine Township, Shelby County, Indiana. The population was 315 at the 2010 census.

Construction of the Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Lafayette Railroad began in 1849, and Fairland was platted in 1852. Isaac Odell and Henry Jenkins hired the J. M. Elliott Company of Shelby County to draw the plans, and this was recorded on Oct. 21, 1852. The town was named for the “beautiful land” near the indigenous town site. A publish office has been in operation at Fairland before 1854 past Isaac Odell as the first postmaster. Several additions were made to the town: Daniel Bradley Addition (1857), Odell’s First Addition (1865), Granville S. Harrel Addition (1866), Odell’s Second Addition (1868), Richardson & McQuiston Addition (1872), J. B. Plymate First Addition (1891), Joseph & Luvina Plymate Addition (1902), Walker’s Addition (1903), Drake’s Addition (1907), and Henderson’s Addition (1914). In 1866, the railroad in the middle of Martinsville and Franklin was outstretched from Franklin to Fairland behind General Ambrose E. Burnside leading the project. The Fairland Cemetery Association was formed in 1887.

The town boasted the 22-room Park Hotel, bank, blacksmith, physicians, restaurants, general store, hardware store, butcher, Masonic hall, lumber company, sawmill, and livery stable. And, the “Fairland Bulletin” newspaper was published until it was moved to Shelbyville and became the “Volunteer”.

On September 9, 1969, Allegheny Airlines Flight 853 collided in mid-air past a smaller private aircraft northwest of Fairland, killing everything 83 passengers and crew of both aircraft.