Overview
The History of Fishers, Indiana
When Indiana was admitted to the union in 1816, much of Hamilton County was populated by American Indians, particularly those of the Delaware tribe. At this time, William Conner (who had been running a trade post at the site of Conner Prairie since 1802) was the only white man living in the area. The Indians allowed Conner to use their trails, which enabled him to trade goods with other settlements such as Anderson, Connersville, and even Fort Wayne. Parts of the Indian trails Conner used eventually became what is now Allisonville Road. With the signing of the Treaty of St. Mary’s in 1818, the Indians in Indiana and Ohio ceded their land to the United States, and the area that is now Fishers experienced a land rush as settlers moved in to farm. This farming community came to be known as Mudsock.
In 1820, as the result of a commission held at William Conner’s house, the Indiana state capital was moved from Corydon, Indiana to nearby Indianapolis, making Fishers (then Mudsock) a prime location for commerce. A sawmill, gristmill, blacksmith shop, and school were built near the site that is now the Nickel Plate restaurant.
The next period of growth for Fishers occurred in 1851 when the railroad was extended through Fishers and up to Chicago. The actual town of Fishers was founded in 1872 when local farmer Salathiel Fisher divided his land into town lots. The town had naturally grown up along the railroad and was originally named Fisher’s Switch and then Fisher’s Station in reference to the railroad station that still exists today. The town officially shortened its name to Fishers in 1908.
Fishers continued to grow until the mid-1900s when the use of rail shipment declined. In the 1960 census, the town of Fishers had only 388 residents. But the extension of Indiana Highway 37, its connection to I-69, and the development of the Geist Reservoir area allowed Fishers to become the booming suburb that it is today. By 1990, Fishers’ population had increased to 7,187, and it is now estimated to be well over 60,000.
Fishers Weather
The weather in Fishers, Indiana is very seasonal and what you would expect of a Midwestern state. It is cold, dry, and generally overcast in the winter with snowfall slightly above the national average. The spring is typically mild with April showers, May sunshine, and temperatures wavering from the 50s to 70s. Summertime is warm and humid with plentiful sunshine. Fall is cool and crisp, and the area’s gorgeous fall foliage is a must-see!
Weather Statistics:
- Annual rainfall- 40.66 in
- Percent of clear days in the area- 24
- Average High Temp (July)- 84.2°
- Average Low Tem (Jan)- 16.5°
Proximity to Major Cities
Fishers, Indiana offers you a quiet suburban lifestyle that is in close proximity to big-city amenities. With Indianapolis right next door, you can enjoy museums, shopping, restaurants, professional sports, and more in minutes. Fishers is also a hop, skip, and a jump away from these major cities:
- Cincinnati, Ohio: 120 miles
- Louisville, Kentucky: 130 miles
- Columbus, Ohio: 180 miles
- Chicago, Illinois: 188 miles
- St. Louis, Missouri: 264 miles
- Detroit, Michigan: 300 miles
- Nashville, Tennessee: 303 miles
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: 364 miles
