Reed Road
Location: Eagle Creek
Reed Family, early landowners
The land around Reed Road was once owned by the prominent Reed family of Pike Township. One of the early members of the family was John C. Reed, who served as Justice of the Peace in Pike Township from 1878 to 1882.
Reed, a farmer born around 1834, was married to Louisa, and as of 1880, had four children: John, Jr., Charles, Anne and Ella, many of whom continued to live in the Pike Township area until the 20th century.
All photos courtesy of Sergio Bennett.
I used to go to a Pike Township church with a cemetery on the grounds, and was amused by how many names on the gravestones were also on Pike Township roads.
When I was a kid my folks took part in the Mayor’s garden program at Eagle Creek. We would take Reed Road to get to the garden plots. I also remember when the reservoir was created some years earlier. There were a handful of grand old houses in what is now the bottom of the reservoir. My parents took us kids out there and we explored while they transplanted some Hasta from the old gardens surrounding one of the houses (which they still have in their backyard). After church, Dad would drive us by and we would watch the reservoir fill up, gradually submerging the houses. I guess they’re still down there.
This is fascinating! Are there any archived pictures of those homes that are below the reservoir?
Thanks, Steve. I wonder how many other people can remember driving in that area before the resevoir began to fill with water. For us it was right after we moved into our house on College Ave., August, 1967.
I have lived in Pike Township since 1998, currently near 46th and Reed Road. I was’nt in Indy during the reconstruction of the resevoir, but sometimes I sail on Eagle Creek with friends. While driving home from Eagle creek park, I heard last night that REED ROAD was once comprised of an African American community. Is this information correct?
Any additional information you can provide other than of Mr. John C Reed, would be quite helpful.
Thank you.
Jacquie
http://www.mountpleasantmbc.org/Pages/aboutus.aspx
Mount Pleasant picnic area inside Eagle Creek Park is along old Reed Road. The link above ties the current Mount Pleasant Church to a site along Reed Road. There were a number of African American families that lived along Reed and throughout what is now Eagle Creek Park including the families with the last name Wood, Fitts, and Barnett
Reed Road Was named after my grandfather John C. Reed. His son was my father William Herman Reed. I am 91 and am a white male. Orsa Reed