Most People Have No Idea This Sunken City In Pennsylvania Even Exists
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
Marsh Creek State Park has a secret. Those who visit the park in Downingtown often gravitate to Marsh Creek Lake, arguably the masterpiece of the 1,727 acre state park. But, not many may know the secret that lies below the lake’s waters or the fact that this sunken city in Pennsylvania ever existed.
Marsh Creek State Park and its 535 acre lake, in particular, beckon outdoor enthusiasts who wile away the hours on the water paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, and sailing.
Those who prefer to let someone else do the navigating need only to climb aboard the pontoon for a tour of the lake. As you watch the scenery pass by, look into the water for beneath it is a story waiting to be told.
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Back in 1883, the small hamlet of Milford Mills sat where the waters of Marsh Creek Lake now flow. Surrounded by sprawling farms, the tiny hamlet laid claim to row houses, a one-room school house, a picturesque scenic bridge, and a general store.
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Local legend also tells of a majestic mansion with 44 rooms. It was here, so goes the story, that supposed gangster Max Boo Boo Huff spent five years – from 1930 to 1935 – in the mansion, running a modern-day bar during Prohibition. Huff's departure gave way to a new owner who turned the mansion into a resort.
Milford Mills thrived until progress came calling in the mid-1970s. The federal and local government believed that a dam could successfully serve as a reservoir in instances of a drought.
Plans for the soon-to-be-built Marsh Creek Dam meant the eventual razing of Milford Mills, much to the chagrin of residents. But, they didn't go down without a fight, arguing their case for two years before the project was given the green light.
After the dam was built, water began to fill the manmade lake and more than 100,000 fish were added to the lake in 1974, effectively beginning a new era. Milford Mills became a part of history while Marsh Creek would soon spur the creation of Marsh Creek State Park where remnants of the forgotten hamlet can still be spotted.
If you visit Marsh Creek Lake, stop for a minute to think about the sunken city in Pennsylvania that now sits below you then, if you’re up for visiting another part of Pennsylvania’s rich past, plan a trip to this old coal mine.
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