A Book Every Austinite Should Own: 1911 The Austin Flood by Paul W. Heimel

Paul W. Heimel

This book can be purchased by stopping by the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum, One Town Square, Main Street, Austin, Pennsylvania 16720.

Or, calling 814-647-8358.

Mailing address is: P.O. Box 412

Cost is $16.95 plus shipping.

AASD 1998 Welcomes Seventh Foreign Exchange Student

E.O. Austin Home/Historical Musuem

If you like looking at Old-Time pictures, or, historical exhibits in general, then you must come visit The E.O. Austin Home/Historical Museum on Main Street here in Austin, Pennsylvania.

I advise that you allow two (2) days for the visit.  One day to browse around the museum looking at all the Exhibits on display; and, the second day to view the hundreds of photographs the museum has on hand detailing Austin's History from the late 1800s to present.

You will be able to see Austin develop into a boomtown, becoming the largest community in Potter County.

View the aftermath of fires and two (2) major floods.  The flood of 1911 being the second worst in the history of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, second only to the one experienced by Johnstown.

And, experience the creation of the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Museum from start to finish.

Personally, I am impressed with the informational and educational tour given by Denise "The Story- Teller" Owens.  Denise is knowledgeable about various and sundry details regarding Austin and the people who made an imprint in Austin's History.  So, do yourself a favor and call before you visit to ascertain when Denise is working.

Again, there are hundreds of old photographs like the one's above at the museum.

AASD Grad Mould Shop Manager at Ardagh Glass

Jim with granddaughter

Jim Rotello is a graduate of the Austin Area School District, Austin, Pennsylvania.

Upon graduating from AASD, he attended Williamsport Community College, Williamsport, Pa.

In 1986, Jim accepted a  position as a pallet loader for a company whose name then was Incon Packaging Pierce Glass located in Port Allegany, Pa.  Four (4) years later, he began an Apprenticeship as a Mould-maker in the Mould Shop.  He worked his way up the ladder to Journeyman and held that position until August 2014. In August 2014, Jim was offered and accepted the position of Manager of the Mould Shop. 

His new position consists of ordering equipment for the plant, ensuring that job changes are ready and managing the work force in his department. He works very closely with the plant engineering department on new product development.

Jim is also actively involved with his union, having participated in several company and mould-maker contract negotiations.

He has over twenty-five (25) years of service with the company which has changed ownership many times over that period of time.

Jim enjoys taking long rides on his Harley.

Gift Horse or Trojan Horse

Many people who spoke at the Austin Borough Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2014, recommended the borough council not to rush to a decision on accepting or rejecting the Agreement presented to the borough containing a restricted use clause prohibiting the property from being used as financial institution at no time in the future, and maybe, waiting a week or two before making a decision.

When the issue came to a vote, the following individuals voted to accept the Agreement as presented:

1. Bucky Blainer
2. Victoria Setzer
3. William Solomon
4. Jesse Valenti

Those voting against were:

1. Nathan Burgett
2. Bernard "Mike" Fowler
3. Fred "Joe" Fowler

Let's examine the following:

Austin Borough has a population of about 550 people.  There are approximately 240 water and sewer hook-ups.

The Austin Borough wrote off nearly $20,000.00 in past-due water and sewer accounts in 2013.  I don't have the figures for 2014. yet.

The Austin Borough lost about $20,000.00 operating the water and sewer plants in 2014.

By accepting this Agreement from Northwest Savings Bank, the Austin Borough lost "only about $1300.00" in water and sewer fees and property taxes annually.

A citizen who spoke at the meeting Tuesday night reminded those present that the Austin Area School District would lose also about $1500.00 yearly.

The Austin Area School District needed additional funding in the neighborhood of $230,000 to operate this school year.

That's what we lost!

Now, let's look at some of the things that we gained.

Additional heating, electrical, insurance, maintenance and landscaping expenses to name a few.  How much? This question was never asked or answered at the meeting. If it was, I missed it.

Wouldn't it have been prudent to know this before acting so hastily to accept this Agreement?

Note:

One ole fella at the meeting stated that if it was him, and we did not accept the Agreement that night, he would be there with a bulldozer the next day leveling the building.

Two people spoke emphatically about how dirty the borough office was.

The Founder and Director of the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum spoke, recommending we accept the Agreement and make a borough office out of it. The Northwest Saving's Bank employee who was present at the meeting stated the same.

Time will tell whether this  gift horse turns out to be a trojan horse.

AASD 1997 Welcomes Sixth Foreign Exchange Student

Barta Wold - A Woman Of Accomplishment

Hagbarta (Barta) Johanna Wold

At the age of eighty (80) Barta had the foresight to put in writing her family accomplishments which are contained in a notebook on file at the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society, One Town Square, Austin, Pennsylvania.  The information  provided here is only a small parcel taken from that information.

Barta was born in Norway and came to Austin in 1890 to join her father who had immigrated to the United States in 1889 finding work at the Goodyear Lumber Company.  Barta writes the following:

"Hagbarta (Barta) Johanna Wold. 1888-         Single.  Valedictorian of High School class in Austin, 1907.  At 13 years of age, was teaching a class in Citizenship for Swedish men.  Also played organ in Swedish Mission Church on Turner Street.  Received a scholarship for Lycoming College (Dickinson Seminary) Williamsport with A.B. in Classics.  Member Sigma Alpha Sorority.  Taught 1909-1912 in Austin.  One year at Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pa. to study French, German, Latin & History.  Due to 1911 flood in Austin, unable to finish at Wilson; entered the Nurses Training School, University of Penna. at Phila., Pa.  Charge of Health Program at Drexel Institute, and was one of the first school nurses in Phila.  Resigned from Drexel to serve in France with Base Hospital #20 from U. of P.  W.W.I. left Base  #20 for service on Hospital Train  #56.  After mustering out in New York, accepted a position with the War Community Chest for 18 months to head a pilot project, working with miners and their families in Jefferson and Indiana Counties, Pa.  Program included: classes in citizenship, cooking and sewing and home nursing; Laid foundation for school nursing in Jefferson County.  Supervisor of Instruction at the Post Graduate Hospital N.Y. City.  24 years as Executive Secretary with the Lycoming Co. Tuberculosis Society; for nine years State Health Chairman for the Pa. Congress P.T.A.; President, Williamsport Civic Club; Lycoming County Federation of Women's Club; member St. Pauls Lutheran Church, member of Altar Committee and President of W.S.C.S.; member of Alumni Board, Lycoming College.  Also took a horseback trip with friend, Dorothy Wallard, from Schenectady, N.Y. to Austin.  Retired 1955.  After retirement returned to Austin; supervised M.Y.F. at the Methodist Church and President W.S.C.S.; President Vets Auxiliary; member American Legion.  Wrote "Nurse Goes to War":, "Austin Pa.,The Hemlock City", compiled booklet for the Diamond Jubilee of Austin Methodist Church, compiled "First Eighty Years in U.S.A".  Owns the old homestead and lives there with her dog, Spinkey.  Age 82 years in 1970."

Barta in uniform

The Honored Guests included a multitude of  local, county and state officials including Mr. Bernard Cooney, Mr. Russell Hofer, and Frances Bennett from Austin.

Barta passed away in 1984 and is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, Austin, Potter County, Pennsylvania.

A search of the internet will reveal many more fascinating information on this wonderful woman, including her being the first to file for naturalization in Potter County on December 24, 1909.

As a result of Barta penning "Austin, Pennsylvania, The Hemlock City 1890-1910" we are aware of early events in the development of Potter County.

The Hemlock City can be purchased at the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society museum or calling Ronnie Ebbert at (814)647-8358