Art Info
This art installation, called Hidden Creek, tells the story of the Mill Creek Flood of 1915 and the resulting construction of the 2.3-mile underground tube hidden beneath the city of Erie.
The sculpture uses concrete, metal, granite and glass to symbolize the path of the Mill Creek Tube, its connection to the Erie stormwater system, and the critical role that this hidden waterway contributes to the health of Lake Erie and ultimately the city’s water supply.
Why this location?
During the Flood
The UPMC Park ballpark and the Erie Insurance Arena are the sites where several Erie residents lost their lives amid the push of water and buildup of debris.
At this point, the flood had picked up speed as it moved downhill toward the lake, surging across Holland Street and carrying the Higgins home several blocks downstream.
Jarecki Manufacturing stood at the southeast corner of the ballpark. Although the building flooded and was severely damaged, it remained standing.
This location is the halfway point of the Mill Creek Tube.
As the Tube was built, it followed the flood's path, heading northeast. The Tube now carries the water 30 feet underground, tying together a large network of stormwater drains that flow to Lake Erie.
