Today - a wonderful recreational area for vacation homes. Originally - just a heavily-wooded valley.
In northern Brown County, Sweetwater Lake and Cordry Lake are located in Hamblen Township, the earliest part of Brown County to be settled. Near Nineveh, Indiana, many original residents moved into the area in the 1820s from Johnson County to the north. When Brown County was established in 1836, Hamblen Township was mapped.
During that time, the township was loaded with what they described as nuisance wildlife: bears, panthers, and wolves. You know - pests. A bounty on the exotic creatures took care of that. Also removed were various hardwoods like hickory, cherry, walnut and oak as well as minerals such as gold, quartz and jasper.
Before the development of the lakes, the Sweetwater/Cordry area was an attraction for the upper and working classes from Indianapolis and other nearby cities, mostly for old-fashioned hoe-downs or to hear jigs and waltzes from the original German or Irish settlers.
Now, picture yourself in postwar America - the early 1950s. America was beginning to turn its attention toward the growth and development that would characterize the decade. A handsome young developer named Howard Prince, who had already developed a resort area in southern Johnson County called Prince's Lakes (get it - Howard Prince = Prince's Lakes?) had an idea.
Mr. Prince's newest brainchild was more aggressive. Originally a larger lake (Cordry) with a second, even larger lake (Sweetwater) imagined shortly after. And so it began, with the purchase of the land, some for as little as $60/acre. "You sold what? For how much?!?" The first dam, for Cordry Lake, was started in 1952 at the same time that lot sales became available. An early brochure advertises prices at $12 per lakefront foot. The original sales building still stands, at the entrance to Prince's Lakes, now housing a liquor store and a barber shop.
At one point it's said, that the two lakes were to be one, with a canal proposed just north of Muskrat Drive. There was also talk of a third lake that would join Sweetwater and Cordry Lakes, southwest of the two. Apparently, at only $12 per lakefront foot, there wasn't enough cash to make these a reality. In fact, the Prince's Lake Building Company went belly up in the late 1950s. The existing homeowners attempted to complete the development using private donations, but that proved too small an effort.
Around 1962, after Mr. Prince's death, a conservancy was formed to complete the Sweetwater and Cordry Dams. Lot sales continued on both Sweetwater and Cordry and Lakes. Sweetwater Dam was begun in 1963. Sweetwater Dam was completed and the lake was filled in 1967. Cordry Dam was finally completed and the lake filled in 1968. How big were the garden hoses needed to fill those?
Today, these two lakes in beautiful Brown County offer some of the clearest and cleanest water in Indiana. Still a private community, you'll find some amazing (and newer!) lakefront homes. Most of the other area homes offer access to both lakes and the beach. Indianapolis, Nashville and Bloomington are all nearby, so you're always near shopping, dining and the arts. But you can still relax and enjoy a year-round lake home with your friends and family, and have the rest of Brown County, with the most beautiful scenery in the midwest.
Homes on Sweetwater Lake and Cordry Lake are still very popular, with the economy having little impact on values. Is it time for you to start enjoying your own lake house.
Carpenter Realtors® is always available for your search for Sweetwater Lake and Cordry Lake, Indiana real estate. For those of you ready to buy a Sweetwater Lake and Cordry Lake, Indiana home for sale, Carpenter Realtors® will handle everything from setting up an appointment to view a home in Sweetwater Lake and Cordry Lake, Indiana to the closing table. Search for houses for sale below, or click the Carpenter logo above to search by MLS listings or our easy-to use map. Carpenter Realtors assists home buyers and sellers throughout central and southern Indiana.
With more than 20,000 Indiana homes for sale, callcarpenter.com is your best choice for new Sweetwater Lake, Indiana homes for sale, real estate listings, virtual tours and open houses in Sweetwater Lake, Indiana. Carpenter Realtors(r) is Indiana's leader in real estate and home ownership services, especially for Sweetwater Lake, Indiana real estate for sale and homes for sale. Call Carpenter to sell real estate or buy real estate in Sweetwater Lake, Indiana. Our real estate agents, all licensed REALTORS, specialize in Sweetwater Lake, Indiana real estate. Whether you are buying or selling a new home, town house, condominium or apartment, choose a Carpenter Realtors agent or callcarpenter.com to find a property by map, MLS or BLC listing number or price.
For national relocation to or from Indiana, call 800-630-1727.
Nineveh, IN has a population of with an average household income of $. When it comes to real estate occupancy specifics, approximately residents own their home and rent their home. As for the weather, the average summer high temperature is F and the yearly rainfall average is inches. We invite you to explore the local real estate market in Nineveh. There are currently {{Counts.ResidentialListings}} residential listings on the market in Nineveh with an average list price of homes for sale of ${{Counts.AverageShortPrice}}K. Last month's average sold price was ${{Counts.AverageShortSoldPrice}}K. We have expert agents who know the real estate market in Nineveh and are the professionals you need to help buy or sell your next property.
Carpenter Realtors is powered by Burrow Services, Inc.