Fairbanks is an unincorporated community in Fairbanks Township, Sullivan County, in the U.S. state of Indiana.The community is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.Fairbanks was named after Sgt. Nathan Fairbanks, who was killed in September 1812 when his platoon of 12 soldiers was ambushed by a group of Indians just outside the town. The post office at Fairbanks has been in operation since 1878.Fairbanks is located at 39°13′10″N 87°31′20″W / 39.21944°N 87.52222°W / 39.21944; -87.52222. It is shown on the Fairbanks United States Geological Survey 7½° quadrangle.