If you’re a fan of Buckeye State history, it’s likely that you’re familiar with many of the ghost towns in Ohio. These former communities have long been abandoned, although you can often see remnants of what once was. However, few people realize that one of these abandoned towns in Ohio lies underwater. Tappan Lake’s underwater city is Laceyville, Ohio. It was established in the 1800s and now sits underwater as a facet of Tappan Lake history. Here’s more on the unique and fascinating history of this long-forgotten Tappan Lake underwater city in Ohio.

Also known as Tappan Reservoir, Tappan Lake is a 2,350-acre body of water located in Harrison County. It's part of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District.
Brian Rawson-Ketchum via Wikipedia
The lake is beautiful, and on a warm, clear day, there are few places more inviting for a picnic or leisurely boat ride. And yet, underneath the water lies the remnants of a long-forgotten town known as Laceyville, Ohio.
Amanda Johns / Google Reviews
In the early and mid-nineteenth century, Laceyville was a small village comprised of a small school, general store, inn, church, and stagecoach stop.
Rochelle Hegedus / Google Reviews
The community was originally named for Major John S. Lacey. A post office was first established in Laceyville in 1850 but was abandoned by 1907.
In the early 1930s, the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District decided to dam the Little Stillwater Creek near Tappan. The residents of Laceyville, Ohio were offered a small sum of money to relocate.
Joel Varga / Google Reviews
According to some accounts, however, some weren't able to move their belongings before the flooding began.
Throughout the Great Depression, the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District provided hundreds of jobs in the creation of the 14 dams that are in the MWCD system today, one of which is Tappan Reservoir.
Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District / Facebook
Photographed above is the clearing crew for Seneca Dam in 1936.
So while Tappan Lake is beautiful, there is an undeniable sadness and intrigue about the lost community of Laceyville.
Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District / Facebook


Watch some sky-view footage of the beautiful Tappan Lake in Deersville, Ohio in this video from WallieB26. As you fly over imagine what mysteries still lie at the bottom left from the old town of Laceyville:

Did you know about the Tappan Lake underwater city? What are your thoughts on this abandoned town in Ohio? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments – we’d love to hear from you!

If you love exploring abandoned places, check out this list of abandoned ghost towns in Ohio.

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tappan lake history

Chris Muras | March 16, 2023

What is the Tappan Lake history?

Tappan Lake's history is rather fascinating. Almost like the lost city of Atlantis, Laceyville, Ohio was submerged when the dam was built in the Muskingum Watershed. Parts of the Tappan Lake town underwater were abandoned rather than relocated due to the high cost of moving an entire town.

How many towns have been flooded by the creation of dams?

There have been hundreds of towns that were abandoned and left at the bottom of reservoirs by the formation of dams. Many of these twos still have remains left submerged underwater. Here are a few abandoned towns flooded by the creation of dams:

  • Rawsonville, Michigan: This town was thriving in the 1830s, however by the 1880s the town began to decline because they failed to create a successful railroad service. It was submerged in 1925 when the French Landing dam was built. It is now below Belleville Lake.
  • Elliot City, Louisiana: Elliot City had its hay day in the 19th century, but now is essentially gone. This town was mostly covered by the creation of the Moranza Spillway in 1925. Only one building remains.
  • Sanish, North Dakota: Sanish and several other Native American towns along the Missouri River were permanently flooded in the mid-twentieth century. The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation tribes were given a $7 million settlement to vacate their land when the Garrison Dam was built in 1947. In even more of an affront, they were not allowed to use the land bordering the new Lake Sakakawea.

 

The history of abandoned towns under reservoirs in the US is vast. Read about 15 towns that have been submerged underwater over the years.

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