The novel's fictional town of Waycross was based on Straughn, Ind., and its fictional Raintree County channels Henry County. The novel was adapted into a 1957 movie starring Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor.

The county connection with the novel and movie will be officially recognized in a ceremony at 2 p.m. May 23 at the Henry County courthouse when a historical Raintree County marker will be dedicated. Plans are still being finalized.

New Castle resident Mark Sean Orr enlisted the assistance of the Henry County Historical Society and Museum to collect funds for the project, and a Citizen's State Bank donation ensured the costs were met, HCHS&M Executive Director Elizabeth Edstene said.

Jeff Ray, treasurer for the Historical Society, said nearly $2,600 was donated, including some of $1,000 or more.

"It's a nice thing and long overdue, considering the book was written back in the '40s," Ray said.

"I feel a great relief and excitement now that the Raintree memorial marker project is moving forward. It's been a long-time goal and I think it will be a great memorial to author Ross Lockridge Jr. and his novel written about Henry County," Orr said.

"This effort is important to me personally because of its historical significance to the county and because it is something that I find fascinating. There is the novel, which I agree with many others is the Great American classic. Ross Lockridge Jr.'s life was also interesting as he is a Hoosier author and was a brilliant man," Orr added.

"I believe this is significant for Henry County because it is a part of our heritage and our identity. The book 'Raintree County' was a major work of American fiction and due to the ties of author Ross Lockridge Jr. to Henry County, it quickly became identified with this place," Edstene said.