Boating, kayaking, and sport fishing on scenic Geist Reservoir create fun summer memories, but after 70 years as Indiana’s largest manmade lake, fading from memory is what lies beneath.
As Indianapolis grew, so did the need for clean water. Utilities magnate and former Indianapolis Water Company principal owner from 1912 to 1938, Clarence H. Geist, recognized the city’s growth potential and likely water shortage. In the 1920s, Geist began gradually purchasing land in Fall Creek Valley. However, the land wasn’t vacant.
Germantown, the first community in Lawrence Township, was established in 1834. It was a small town, reportedly with one general store, a shoemaker, and a grist mill. The town’s Main Street became present day Germantown Road.
In 1941, the Indianapolis Water Company constructed a dam across Fall Creek that flooded 1,900 (of 5,000) acres containing the 45 Germantown homesteads. This area includes land in northern Marion, southeastern Hamilton, and northwestern Hancock counties.
It is rumored that when the reservoir water is low, a church steeple can be seen — although no record of a church can be found.
In 1943, five years after Geist’s death, the reservoir started supplying Indianapolis with water.
Through the 1950s, the reservoir was a popular recreational bank fishing spot. Although swimming and motorboats were prohibited, the Indianapolis Sailing Club held races on the reservoir. Just as the creation of the 7-1/2 square mile reservoir caused controversy, how to develop the land around the reservoir created even more debate.
In 1961, the Indianapolis Water Company announced its intention to convert the area around Geist into an exclusive subdivision. After much rangling and debating for nearly twenty years, construction on the first two subdivisions on Geist Reservoir, Masthead and Beamreach, began in 1980.
Today, executive waterfront homes range from $1-5 million. Moderately priced Geist homes with a water view are priced in the upper six figures. The Geist community is home to a few celebrity athletes, including Indy car driver, Scott Dixon.
Although C.H. Geist never lived in Indiana, the present day upmarket area that bears his name could have been a suitable home for him. He made his fortune by consolidating competing gas companies and owning a variety of utilities, including the Indianapolis Water Company. His holdings earned more than $2 million a year. He maintained homes in Pennsylvania and Atlantic City, New Jersey and spent much of his time playing golf at country clubs. Wanting more from the experience, he became a country club developer. His first country club, the exclusive Seaview Country Club in Atlantic City, became the model for other affluent clubs and even hosted President Warren G. Harding in 1922. Geist later developed the Boca Raton Country Club in Florida.
With all of Geist’s wealth, he was not known for philanthropy. And it’s unlikely that he gave much thought to the folks of the old Germantown homesteads. Although the demise of Germantown has now retreated to urban legend status, without the creation of Geist Reservoir, the shape of Indianapolis would have been much different.
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It is not true that Clarence Geist never lived in Indiana. He was, in fact, born in LaPorte on January 10, 1866 (he died In 1938 and is buried in Bala Cynwyd, Motgomery County, Pennsylvania. His wife Florence, who died in 1959, is buried there as well.
My mother family came from that area. Their farm is one that was flooded.
Went to a reunion in that area 15/ 20 years ago. A distance cousin told me years ago before they started building home there the water was so clear you could see the layout of the town and farms.
"present day Germantown Road"…where in the world is Germantown Road? I live in the area, not far from German Church Road, however, I have never heard of Germantown Road.
It was Oaklandon rd. There was still a sign saying Germantown rd south of Pendleton pike until a short time ago. it was right at the curve before Family leasure.
It’s also not true that Geist is the largest manmade lake in Indiana. Lake Monroe is at over 10,700 acres.
"70 years as Indiana’s largest man-made lake"? Geist has never been remotely close to that distinction. When it was completed, Geist was Indiana's second-largest man-made lake. Today, it's not even in the Top 5. Lake Monroe, the largest man-made lake in Indiana, is five times the size of Geist, and there are at least five man-made lakes bigger than Geist–Monroe, Patoka, Brookville, Raccoon, and Salamonie. Until they flooded an adjacent quarry in the 90s, Geist wasn't even the biggest man-made lake in its own county, Morse was.
Oaklandon Road was once called Germantown Road- German Church Road turns into waht is now Sunnyside Road – the old church they talk about was due north of the Klepfer Cemetery
Also, the road is not called Germantown Rd. It's German Church Rd. My elementary school was off of it. 🙂
germantown road is oaklandon rd… german church is a different road
1 geist lake is apart of marion county so stating monroe is largest in county is inaccurate.
2 german church road doesn’t even pass pendleton pike (state road 67) to the north. it doesn’t even come close to the reservoir.
3 germantown road is that of brooks school road. the entrance to the neighborhood at the south side of the round about was converted.
4 this article was originally written in the late 90s
Several years ago 96th St. came out of the water on the West side of Fall Creek Road just before FCR turned South and became Carroll Rd–96th St goes East to Fortville and West into the lake through Germantown and out on the West side of the lake across several lots in Bridgewater Adddn and then would have joined that portion of 96th st and on to intersect I-69—Germantown road may have proceded North through Germantown and intersected or died at Fall Creek road–It may be that Germantown road became Brookschool Road beyond Fall Creek Road–I'll have to dig out the old map and check
He said Morse Reservoir….not Monroe
Hearst is something like 20′ at its deepest point. How short was this supposed church steeple?
It was a pioneer church – it’s due north of Klepfer Cemetery off Fox Road
*Geist oops
All these comments are very interesting and add to this Historic event. Where can I obtain a copy of a few of these pictures for my own home on the reservoir?
If I remember correctly, land was purchased from farmers. they were told as was the public that the land surrounding the reservoir would not be sold to developers. After many years that is exactly what the water company did.
I believe the developers were from Texas or at least from out of state. The people who were forced to sell their homes and property were greatly under paid considering the monies made years later to developers.
If you call public domain selling – the farmers got swindled – Senator Capehart arranged to for Shorewood Corp made the $$$$$$$ and so did the head of the water Company – forgot his name
Of Course!
I would be surprised if anyone see's this.
The water company, under the leadership of Thos. Moses, and funded by the Murchison Brothers out of Texas formed a separate entity called Shorewood Corporation and closed all access to Geist Lake to the public. They tried and failed to get a larger lake constructed to increase the lucrative shoreline available for development. Birch Bayh was instrumental in getting that project quashed. It would be interesting to hear an outside objective engineering report on the safety of the old dam and what measures have been taken over the years to prevent it from collapsing.
I am a retired homebuilder in the Geist Area–Formed a group of builders and opened the Masthead Lots next to the Dam off Fall Creek–Became interested in the History of Geist–read Water Runs Down Hill by Marjie Gates Giffin-1981 A History of the Indpls Water Co.- I was one of the first fishermen to rent a boat from Bob Dawson at Co. Line Boat Dock–prior to that time I fished at night off the bridge for Crappies..There was no Church at Germantown-the pipe sticking out of the water was stuck in a pile of gravel to avoid hitting the rocks when boating–there were two schools–Lawrence Twp School #1 was on a hill on the south side of what is now 86th St. just east of devils curve.. You can see the outline of a two room schoolhouse in the grass during the summer–Germantown road came from the South to Devil's curve turned east and then North–There is a visible bridge in the wooded area on the North side of 86th St near the creek which crosses under 86th St. Germantown road went North and intersected with 96th St in Germantown. I saw the road as a young man just before any fishing or boating was allowed.. I also obtained a hydrgraphic map of all the land under Geist R. showing all the roads etc.. The high point of Germantown was on what is today a small Island which can be seen from the boat docks on the East side of the big bridge–I walked that Island and surrounding area when the lake dried up (1979 ???) When the area is covered with water it is a good bass fishing area. There is a visible foundation of and old barn just under the water.–and there were parts of other foundations scattered around the area. I recall there were 13 homes, a grist mill, a blacksmith shop, and a store–The children of those who lived North of 96th St. went to school at 104th and Olio which is now a water retention pond on the corner just across the street from the grave yard. Several families went to Church at Oaklandon Universalist Church –the brown church, which is now the Oaklandon Unitarian Universalist Church, a few blocks North of Pendelton Pike on the West side of the street.. There is an Archive of old pictures at this Church, of which I am a member.. I also obtained an Airial photograph of Germantown from the Historical Society showing the properties.. I tried to track down the relatives of the citizens of the town and read all I could about the area. I built the house by the small boatdocks for Tamenend–and with two others created the inlet between Tamenend and the point which extends out on the North side of the bridge..Several relatives have been members of the above mentioned church and helped me gather info on where their families were buried.
Interesting… I remember similar stories of towns that are now underwater at Brooksville Reservoir. Eminent domain. Great for the greater cause… Good for some; not for others.
Jack, I am not sure why this article was re-published in late 2017, early 2018, but as someone else pointed
out, it was originally written in the '90's . Your comments are extremely valuable because you are an original source whose information should be preserved . I have lived int the Indianapolis area since 1978 with a brief time away in 1990-1993. I have never run across so much information of the origin of Geist Reservoir yet.
I believe it is important to have this information preserved, and I would hope your account will some day find its way into the Historical Society's archives. It sounds like the photographs are already there. If it is possible, your comments here should be recorded and dontated as well, so there is some glimpse of the origin and development of Geist remaining in a central location. Do you know if the Log Cabin Vet on Fall Creek Rd. still has a little room or area where the photographs are displayed? I have read about this in the Geist newsletter before.
Please keep your comments for others to read. Townepost should somehow acquire your comments and preserve them, as well.
Where is Devils Curve? Is the old bridge in the woods near Admirals Point? I live in Indy and am fascinated by this area. My kids call it Spooky Lake. I would love to meet you near there and see it from your perspective.
My husband’s family were the Apple’s and Klepfer’s – my father-in-law said the church was a frame building north of the Klepfer Cemetery –
I believe that during WWII Germantown was renamed Pershing as the people did not want anything with the name ‘German’ in it. Cannot find anything on this but we lived in Milton at the time. We would take back roads out of Milton to Germantown and take US 40 into Richmond.
joycevanschaack@cox.net 5/10/18
Hello from California. Doing my family genealogy on the Albert Anderson and family that lived in Germantown, Indiana. Albert’s son Charles W. Anderson was my father that told me his home was under water in Germantown. He was born there in 1896. Can’t find any birth certificate or other information. The family moved on to Brown County and Edinburgh, Indiana. Love old photos, etc.
joycevanschaack@cox.net 5/10/18
Hello from California. Doing my family genealogy on the Albert Anderson and family that lived in Germantown, Indiana. Albert’s son Charles W. Anderson was my father that told me his home was under water in Germantown. He was born there in 1896. Can’t find any birth certificate or other information. The family moved on to Brown County and Edinburgh, Indiana. Love old photos, etc.
joycevanschaack@cox.net 5/10/18
Hello from California. Doing my family genealogy on the Albert Anderson and family that lived in Germantown, Indiana. Albert’s son Charles W. Anderson was my father that told me his home was under water in Germantown. He was born there in 1896. Can’t find any birth certificate or other information. The family moved on to Brown County and Edinburgh, Indiana. Love old photos, etc.
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