Is Geist Reservoir in Fishers or Indianapolis?
By Susan Roberts
Geist Reservoir, seen from the air.
Both, sort of! Geist Reservoir sits where three counties meet: Hamilton, Marion, and Hancock. So homes around the lake can have different cities on the address. Around Geist, you'll see addresses that say Fishers, Indianapolis, Fortville or McCordsville.
Here's a simple way to think about it:
- North side (Hamilton County): Most of these homes are in the City of Fishers. Fishers added about 2,200 Geist-area homes to the city back in 2008.
- South side (Marion County): These homes are in Lawrence Township, which is part of Indianapolis.
- East side (Hancock County): A few pockets are near Fortville and McCordsville.
The three counties around Geist Reservoir: Hamilton, Marion, and Hancock.
Why it matters: Your side of the lake can change your taxes, your city services, and your schools. Geist is served by three school districts: Hamilton Southeastern, Lawrence Township, and Mt. Vernon. Two homes on the same water can have very different details. Things can change from one street to the next.
That's exactly when a local agent earns their keep. I can help you check the county, city, and school district for any Geist home before you fall in love with it.
Have a question about a home at Geist? Call or text me at 317-777-9146.
Geist history
Is there a town under Geist Reservoir?
Yes, a former town named Germantown lies at the bottom of Geist Reservoir.
History of Germantown
-
Founding: Germantown was established on March 1, 1834, by German settlers.
-
Location: It sat along the banks of Fall Creek, straddling the county line between Marion County (Lawrence Township) and Hamilton County (Delaware/Fall Creek Township).
-
Size & Infrastructure: At its height, the small community included about 20 homes, a general store, a grist mill (Helm's Mill), a shoemaker, a blacksmith shop, and a post office.
-
Flooding: In the late 1920s and 1930s, Clarence Geist and the Indianapolis Water Company began buying up land in the Fall Creek Valley to build a municipal water supply.
-
Demise: The structures were cleared or demolished, and the valley was flooded in 1943 when a concrete dam was built across Fall Creek, creating the reservoir.
What Remains Underwater
-
Most structures were torn down or removed prior to the flooding, though old foundations, cellar remnants, and traces of the former road grids and mill sites remain submerged 12 to 20 feet under the water near areas like the Indianapolis Sailing Club and Bridgewater neighborhood.
-
Local rumors of intact church steeples or complete ghost towns sticking out of the water are mostly local folklore, as the water company systematically cleared the area before filling it.
Sources: City of Fishers (.gov) • Towne Post Network • Current Publishing • Wikipedia • Hamilton County Historical Society Old Sheriff’s Residence and Jail
Looking at a home around Geist?
Susan can check the county, city, and school district for any Geist home before you fall in love with it. Text her at 317-777-9146 or book a quick consultation.
Book a consultation