Saddlebrook Neighborhood Indianapolis

Pike Township

Pike Township History

Pike Township is located in the northwest corner of Marion County. It was named for General Zebulon Pike, a hero of the War of 1812. Pike Township was organized in 1822. It is a township that has seen tremendous growth and change in its population during the last half of the 20th century. Between 1960 and 1970 population increased 125 percent to 15,000 residents. By 1990 hundreds of new homes and 46 apartment complexes boosted the number to about 45,000. As the fastest-growing township in the county, Pike grew in the 1980s at a rate of 7 to 8 percent per year, roughly twice the county's average.

In addition to residential development, several commercial complexes emerged along West 86th Street and Zionsville Road. The Park 100 commercial and industrial park begun in 1974, expanded to cover 1,800 acres by 1990. In the same area, two additional office parks were under construction in the early 1990s. During this decade, the township faced new challenges. Rapid growth strained fire protection, roads, and sewers not to mention the local schools.

The increase in housing brought a large influx of families with pre-school and school-aged children causing the attendance in the community schools to swell to the point where they were bursting at the seams. In addition, the school system faced not only the issue of overcrowding but also a large number of students whose native language was not English. This posed yet another challenge to the faculty and staff of Pike Township Schools. Although they are continuing to struggle with these challenges even today, they are meeting them with the firm resolve to provide the best education possible to all students in Pike Township.

Population
Township..........71,465
Marion County..........860,454
(figures based on the 2000 Census)

Recreation

There are numerous parks, golf courses and swimming pools in Pike Township. In addition, Pike Township is the home of Eagle Creek Park, the nation's largest municipal park, which contains Eagle Creek Reservoir, a 1300 acre lake with facilities for swimming, boating and fishing. The park features nature trails, a golf course, an Indiana Museum and facilities for craft classes and picnics. Lafayette Square, which is located in Pike Township, is one of the largest malls in the state. It is anchored by several of Indianapolis' largest and most well-known retailers. There are many hotels/motels and restaurants located within the community

Public Library

The marion County Public Library operates one branch facility in Pike Township at 6525 Zionsville Road, (317)269-1889.

Community Links

Electric...Indianapolis Power and Light ...(317)261-8261
Gas..........Citizen's Gas & Coke Utility...(317)924-3311
Water..........Indianapolis Water Company...(317)639-1501
Telephone..........Ameritech...(317)556-4200
Pike Township Public Library
Pike Schools
Pike Tax Assors office (317)291-5801