The South Branch of French Creek, also known as Little French Creek, powered Union City's earliest economy, contributed to the community's worst flood, and later came to be appreciated as part of one of the most biologically diverse waterways in the United States. Community founder William Miles first harnessed the creek in 1801 to power Miles Mill, a combination grist and sawmill near this location, and additional streamside mills later spread eastward between what are now Main and Bridge streets. These mills typically worked by damming the stream, cutting a millrace to divert water, and using the current to run saw or milling equipment. By 1870 the community had 21 manufactories, 10 powered by water and five by steam, with five of the water-powered mills along French Creek. In the late 1800s, damming French Creek just above Bridge Street also created a lake called Clark's Pond. From 1905 to 1908, Maplewood Park operated as a summer resort on the lake's far-eastern bank, reached by the steam-powered excursion boat Lone Star. By June 4-5, 1892, several smaller dams stood along Little French Creek between Main and Bridge streets when a series of storms struck Union City. Two upstream dams gave way under the pressure, and a mass of logs, lumber, and debris jammed against the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad's new iron bridge, sending the raging water down Willow and Crooked, now Market, streets and into downtown. The Main Street bridge remained standing but was badly weakened, while the High Street Bridge was carried a thousand feet downstream. No lives were lost, but several Main Street businesses were destroyed, and damage to public and private property was estimated at $105,000, equivalent to more than $3 million in today's dollars. The flood led to a reassessment of Little French Creek as a source of water power, including a campaign to outlaw dams along the waterway.