E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Fall 2016 Newsletter

Garretson Street, Austin, Pennsylvania

One of the most interesting individuals in the early history of Austin, Pennsylvania, is Oliver S. Garretson.

Prior to becoming a boomtown in the late 1800s, people from Buffalo came to Austin to fish. Mr. Garretson was one of those people. Austin was known as Freeman Run at the time.

He was a wealthy businessman who invested in Austin by building two sawmills and a store here  In her book Industry Comes To Freeman Run, Marie Kathern Nuschke states that the store was the biggest in Potter County at the time.

Marie also states that although he never lived in Austin, his brother's  Cyrus and Issac did, and Mr. Garretson and his family would visit them often.

Garretson Street is named after him.

Garretson Street. View from Main Street/Route 607 looking west

It is believed that Mr. Garretson was born in 1843 and died in 1908.

He founded The Buffalo School Furniture Company in Buffalo, New York and also owned other businesses there.

The picture of Oliver S. Garretson is found on page 17 of Industry Comes To Freeman Run which can be purchased at the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum. Their telephone number is 814-647-8358.

Rugaber Street, Austin, Pennsylvania, Updated

The founder of Austin, Pennsylvania, E.O. Austin, was a surveyor and engineer. He surveyed and named the first streets in Austin.

On page 13 of her book Community Growth in Freeman Run, Marie Kathern Nuschke indicates that many of the streets were named after people who built houses on them. On page 23 she states that Rukgaber Street was named after Henry Christian Rukgaber.

Henry and his wife, Mary, migrated to Austin, Pennsylvania, from Middlebury, Pennsylvania, in 1886.

Henry was a blacksmith and Mary was a surgeon.

Henry Christian Rukgaber

He would build their home north of the intersection of Main Street and Route 872. This property would later become L. Nuschke's Store and then Cooney's Hardware Store before the building was tore down. Today, this lot is vacant.

 The Rukgaber property would transfer to L. Nuschke's sometime prior to the 1911 Flood

Picture of the former Rukgaber property In background, 1918

The property Is vacant today and It Is hard to imagine a building ever being located there

Prior to divorcing, Henry and Mary would have two children, Harry John and Pansy Rose, who are pictured below:

Pansy Rose and Harry John Rukgaber

After divorcing, Henry Christian Rukgaber would leave Austin  in 1903 and remarry, He died on December 17, 1927, in Northport, Washington.

I was unable to locate a picture of  Mary Lentz Rukgaber.

Note: At some point in time the k in Rukgaber was dropped and became Rugaber Street.

Due to the substantial growth In the late 1800's and early 1900's, north Rukgaber above Elliott was referred to as Upper Rukgaber Street.

The Bayless Pulp and Paper Company would build houses on Rukgaber Street for their key employees which was referred to as Bayless Row:

Only 9 of the original Bayless Row Homes remain.

One of the homes was destroyed in the 1942 flood.

Here is how Rugaber Street looks today:

I have recently learned that the house I now live in at 167 Rugaber Street was the home of Stanley Bayless at one time:

167 Rugaber Street

Paul W. Bennett, a former resident of Austin, Pennsylvania, and graduate of Austin High School assisted in the research for this article.

Denise Owens, the Resident Genealogist here in the Austin Area, has also provided invaluable assistance.

Marie Kathern Nuschke's book Community Growth in Freeman Run can be purchased at the E.O.Austin Home/Historical Society Museum on Main Street in Austin, or, by calling the museum at 814-647-8358 and placing your order.

Note: This article was originally posted to the Austin Boro News Blog on Saturday, August 6, 2016

                                       
                                       

VFW Scholarships

Do you know a high school student who could use some help paying for college? Let them know about the VFW's Voice of Democracy Scholarship competition! This Year's Topic: My Responsibility to America ENTRY DEADLINE: November 1, 2016 We need to spread the word, and we're asking friends like you to help out. The Voice of Democracy Program is open to students in grades 9-12 (on the Nov. 1 deadline), who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories. We want to reach as many patriotic students as possible to compete for the grand prize: $30,000 paid directly to the American college, university or vocational/technical school of their choice! Download the application. Pass the word on to: High School Students Teachers Counselors Youth Groups Parent-Teacher Associations School Boards Thanks for spreading the word about this incredible opportunity! Veterans of Foreign Wars, 406 West 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111 © 2001-2016. All rights reserved. Unsubscribe View Online VFW Post 7810 Austin, Pennsylvania is the point of contact for Austin Area School District and Coudersport Area School District students. Their phone number is 814-647-8673

Marvelous Migrating Monarchs Program Saturday, September 17th At Sinnemahoning State Park

News for Immediate Release
September 12, 2016

Sinnemahoning – Monarch program at Sinnemahoning State Park on Saturday September 17

Marvelous Migrating Monarchs
Saturday, September 17, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Every fall thousands of Monarch butterflies migrate from Pennsylvania to their overwintering grounds in central Mexico.  Join Sinnemahoning State Park staff to learn about monarch butterflies, their annual migration, and what we can do to help these marvelous insects to survive.

This free, family-friendly program will begin with a presentation in the Park Office & Wildlife Center classroom, followed by a short walk around the gardens and fields to look at monarch habitat and, hopefully, catch a glimpse of these beautiful butterflies.  If monarch butterflies are present, the group will have an opportunity to participate in Monarch Watch butterfly tagging. Arial nets will be provided and participants will be able to help tag and release the butterflies.

For more information about programs and events at Sinnemahoning State Park, contact the park office at 814-647-8401 or by email at SinnemahoningSP@pa.gov.  Online, visit Sinnemahoning-State-Park on Facebook or view the PA State Park calendar of events at http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/

If you need an accommodation to participate in PA State Park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.  With at least three days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.

Volunteer Opportunities Available At Sinnemahoning State Park This Fall

On Saturday, September 24, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Sinnemahoning State Park will offer volunteers a chance to participate in the 23^rd  annual National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy.

Projects will include removing invasive plants and clearing underbrush in the day use area surrounding the Park Office and Wildlife Center.  At the end of the work day, all volunteers will have an opportunity to help catch and tag monarch butterflies for Monarch Watch butterfly migration research.

We will be working outdoors on terrain that may be uneven, brushy, and weedy at times. Please dress for the outdoors, wear long pants, and sturdy shoes with socks.  Insect repellent is recommended.  Bring work gloves and a water bottle if you have them. Individuals, groups and families are welcome to participate. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Please let us know if you are interested in helping.  To make sure that we have enough supplies for everyone, we ask that all volunteers pre-register by Monday, September 19^th.  To register, call the park office at 814-647-8401.

FIRST FORK FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 8, 2016

12:00 Noon - 5:00 P.M.

Help us to celebrate the history and culture of the First Fork Valley by volunteering at the fourth annual First Fork Festival on Saturday, October 8, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM. Volunteers are needed to greet visitors, assist in the gift shop, and lead hands-on interpretive activities.  For more information about volunteering at this event, please call the park office at 814-647-8401.

Hosted by Sinnemahoning State Park and the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce, the festival features local authors, artists and artisans showcasing their talents amidst a backdrop of full autumn color in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

Artisans from the PA Wilds Cooperative and other local artists and craftsmen will be displaying hand-made products, ranging from glass, fiber, wood and stone, to paintings, jewelry, photography, and specialty foods.  Festival-goers can watch the artists at work while shopping for gifts or just admiring the local talent. 

The First Fork Festival will also include “Tall Timber” program by musician Van Wagner, live music by local bands, book signings by local authors, interactive history exhibits and demonstrations, as well as food and beverages offered by local vendors and non-profit organizations.

This community-focused admission-free event takes place at the Sinnemahoning State Park Office and Wildlife Center, just off Route 872 in Grove Township, on Saturday, October 8, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM. 

HAUNTED HALLOWEEN TRAIL AND HALLOWS EVE CELEBRATION

Saturday, October 29, 2016

4:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

Back by popular demand!  On Saturday, October 29, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM., Sinnemahoning State Park will hold the Haunted Halloween Trail and All Hallows Eve Celebration.  We are looking for volunteers to make this annual event as successful as the past three years.

The event begins at 4:00 PM and will end by 9:00 PM.  Volunteers are needed to help set up starting at 12:00 noon and to help clean up until 10:00 PM.  Volunteers are also needed to serve refreshments and assist with the games and activities for younger children. 

We especially need enthusiastic volunteers to dress up in costume to help make the haunted trail spooky and safe for all our visitors.  All ages are welcome to help.  An easy and fun way for students to earn community service hours.

Please let us know by September 30th if you are interested in helping.   To register, call 814-647-8401.

BUGLE CORPS ELK WATCH

Weekends Throughout September and October 2016

Elk bugling has begun in the First Fork Valley.  A herd of 24+ elk have been spotted this week moving about all areas of the park including the Stevenson Dam and the Wildlife Viewing Area. 

Trained volunteers are needed to staff the Wildlife Viewing Area at the north end of the park during the peak of the elk viewing season.  Volunteers will greet visitors to the viewing area, discuss elk biology and elk watching etiquette, and help visitors to locate other hot-spots for elk viewing.

Training and interpretive materials, such as elk hide, antlers, and literature, will be provided.  Volunteers must be willing to attend training and to serve at least one full weekend this fall. 

For more information about the Bugle Corps Elk Watch at Sinnemahoning State Park, please call the park office at 814-647-8401.

Sinnemahoning State Park

4843 Park Road

Austin, PA 16720

Phone: 814-647-8401

Email: SinnemahoningSP@pa.gov

www.VisitPAparks.com

History and Pride Days September 24th and 25th