Grassyfork Fisheries Farm No. 1
Grassyfork Fisheries Farm No. 1 is a historic fish farming site in Morgan County, Indiana, covering about 254 acres. The property includes a brick building constructed in 1936, a barn, six wells, two dams, multiple fish ponds, and remnants of decorative gardens and stone arrangements that are still visible today.
The site was founded in 1899 by Eugene Shireman, who recognized that the swampy land was ideal for fish farming, especially after importing and breeding Chinese goldfish around 1902. The farm grew quickly and made Martinsville known worldwide as the Goldfish Capital, before later being taken over by other operators and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
The name Grassyfork comes from the stream that flows through the property and made fish farming possible there. The remaining ponds and dams show how operators shaped the land for their work, and these features continue to define what visitors see today.
The site is open for visitors during weekdays and weekends, allowing you to see the historic buildings and structures from outside. The uneven terrain and dirt roads require good walking shoes, and you should allow time to explore all areas of the roughly 254-acre property.
Eugene Shireman's decision to import Chinese goldfish was revolutionary for American fish farming, as these animals were virtually unknown in the US at that time. This original idea grew into a global operation that made Martinsville the Goldfish Capital of the World for decades and established the foundation for modern fish farming industry.
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