Deep beneath the streets of Wichita lies one of our city's most beloved and mysterious treasures—the Wichita Troll. This remarkable piece of public art has captured the hearts and imaginations of locals and visitors alike since its secretive debut in 2007. But what if we told you that this famous troll might have some mischievous cousins lurking much closer to home... in your very own drains?
The Legend Begins: A Brief History of the Wichita Troll
The story of the Wichita Troll begins in 2007 during a riverfront redevelopment project near the Keeper of the Plains Plaza. City planners faced a dilemma: what to do with a functional overflow pit and storm drain that was too costly to remove? The solution was as creative as it was unexpected—transform this underground space into a home for public art.
Local artist Connie Ernatt was commissioned to bring this unique vision to life. Her goal was to create a believable troll that was neither "too cute or too scary," and she relished the creative freedom that came with the fact that "there was no one way that a troll looks." The result was a magnificent seven-foot-tall, 200-pound bronze sculpture featuring greenish skin, big ears, a bald head, wood plank shoes, and a distinctive patchwork outfit—complete with three fingers and a thumb.
The Great Discovery
What makes the Wichita Troll truly special isn't just its artistic merit, but the mystery surrounding its discovery. Ernatt intentionally kept the troll's presence a secret after its installation in May 2007, wanting to see how long it would take for the public to find it. Hidden 14 feet below ground beneath a large sidewalk grate near the old Westar Power building, the troll remained undiscovered for nearly three months until May 19, 2007.
Once found, the troll quickly became a beloved local icon and popular "seek-and-find" art piece. Located on the east bank of the Arkansas River, south of the Keeper of the Plains within Veteran's Memorial Park, visitors can view this hidden gem from the grate above or venture down to the path below near the river for a closer look.
Trials and Triumphs
Like any good legend, the Wichita Troll has faced its challenges. In 2013, vandals stole the troll's arm and bird skull necklace, but Connie Ernatt came to the rescue, repairing and returning the sculpture in April 2014. Enhanced security measures were implemented to protect our beloved underground guardian, ensuring it remains in its current location for future generations to discover and enjoy.
From City Streets to Home Drains: The Troll Connection
Now that you know the fascinating history of our city's famous troll, let's explore a lighter mystery much closer to home. Just as the Wichita Troll dwells in the hidden depths beneath our streets, perhaps some of his distant cousins have taken up residence in your home's drainage system! While our city's beloved troll brings joy and wonder, these drain-dwelling "relatives" might be causing a different kind of excitement in your plumbing.
Discovery in the Depths: From Urban Legend to Home Reality
Just as the discovery of the Wichita Troll turned it into an instant local icon, the unexpected "discovery" of a clog in your drain might not win any popularity contests, but it certainly grabs your attention! Unlike our beloved bronze troll, these household mysteries lack the artistic merit and interesting backstories—but they're mysteries nonetheless that need solving.
While the Wichita Troll remained hidden for three months before its discovery, drain clogs have a way of making themselves known much more quickly. No need to call folklore experts for these household intruders, though; our Wichita Sewer and Drain Service team is ready to tackle these mythical blockages with professional expertise and a smile.
Artistic Nuances: Bronze vs. Bathroom Blockages
Connie Ernatt's masterpiece features greenish skin, big ears, and a carefully crafted patchwork outfit. The "art" found in your drains, while creative in its own way, takes on a different form entirely. From tangled hair sculptures to soap scum paintings, these creations definitely won't be featured in any galleries—but they're certainly impressive in their own right!
Where the Wichita Troll's three-fingered hands and wood plank shoes tell a story of careful artistic vision, the formations in your pipes tell tales of daily life, shedding pets, and the inevitable accumulation of household debris. Our skilled technicians are experts at making these less-appealing "artworks" disappear.
The Creators Behind the Chaos
Just as Connie Ernatt poured her heart and creativity into crafting the Wichita Troll, the mysterious clogs in your drains have their own "creators." Whether it's the crafty kids experimenting with what goes down the sink, the shedding pets contributing their fur to the cause, or just the everyday hustle and bustle of home life, there's always a story behind every blockage.
Unlike the intentional secrecy surrounding the Wichita Troll's placement, these household mysteries tend to develop gradually and unintentionally—until they make their presence known in the most inconvenient ways!
Navigation and Exploration: Finding Hidden Treasures
Finding the Wichita Troll requires a keen eye, a sense of adventure, and knowledge of its location near the Keeper of the Plains. You can view it from the grate above or take the path below near the river for a closer look. Similarly, uncovering the root cause of your drain's issues might feel like urban exploration, but instead of a map to Veteran's Memorial Park, our team comes equipped with the latest in plumbing technology to navigate the twists and turns of your pipes.
While the Wichita Troll has enhanced security measures to protect it from vandalism, your drains need a different kind of protection—regular maintenance and proper usage to keep those pesky blockages at bay.
Tales from the Underground: Epic Journeys of Drainage Heroes
Every visit from our Wichita Sewer and Drain Service team is like a new chapter in an epic saga. Just as the Wichita Troll has become a beloved character in our city's story, our brave technicians become the heroes of their own tales. Armed with professional tools and expertise, they delve into the shadowy depths to vanquish the clog-monsters and restore peace and flow to your kingdom (aka your home).
Community and Care: Your Role in Both Sagas
Just as the community plays a vital role in preserving and protecting the legend of the Wichita Troll, you too have an important part in the epic tale of your home's drainage system. The enhanced security measures that protect our beloved bronze troll from vandalism are like the simple preventive habits that can keep your drains flowing smoothly.
Using drain strainers, avoiding pouring grease down the sink, and being mindful of what goes down your drains are like the protective measures that keep our city's troll safe for future generations to discover and enjoy.
Two Trolls, Two Adventures: A Tale of Wonder and Practicality
While the Wichita Troll adds whimsy and wonder to our urban landscape—a seven-foot-tall bronze guardian hidden beneath our streets—its drain-dwelling "cousins" bring a different kind of adventure to our homes. One represents the magic of discovery and artistic vision, while the other reminds us of the practical mysteries of daily life.
The Wichita Troll will remain in its current location, protected and preserved for generations to come. But with a little help from your friends at Wichita Sewer and Drain Service, you can ensure that the only trolls you'll need to worry about are the ones beneath the city streets, not in your pipes.
"From City Streets to Home Drains: Share Your Adventures!" Have you visited our famous Wichita Troll, or perhaps encountered a different kind of "troll" in your plumbing? Share your stories in the comments below, and let's celebrate both the artistic wonders that make our city special and the unsung heroes who keep our homes flowing smoothly!