Austin Hero, Lawrence R. Koth, Remembered

On January 30, 1926, Boy Scout Lawrence R. Koth, age 15, Austin, Pennsylvania, rescued Charles McCloskey, age 8, from drowning. 

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, New York, Sunday, November 28, 1926, published the following article:

Boy Scout News

 Stories of Cool Heroism by Boy Scouts Contained in Awards for Life- Saving

"McCloskey was skating on the site of the former Austin dam, scene of a great flood a few years ago.  He broke through and the current carried him under the ice. Koth went into the water also and a third boy fell in.  Koth pushed the third boy to the edge of the ice, where he was hauled out, and then got McCloskey from under the ice and held him until he in turn could be rescued.  At this end, he was himself was drawn from the water."

Not only would Koth receive a National Court of Honor Certificate by the Boy Scouts of America for his bravery, but also a Bronze Medal and $1,600 from The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.

To view the remains of the Austin dam ruins mentioned in the article, Click HERE.

Recommended Reading: 1911 - The Austin Flood - by Paul W. Heimel, Knox Books, 407 Mill Street, Coudersport, PA 16915

The Old Town Hall Building, Austin, Pennsylvania

Remembering Frank A. Sinon, 1928 Graduate of Austin High School, Austin, Pennsylvania

Frank A. Sinon. Photo provided by the Rhoads and Sinon Law Firm

Frank A. Sinon was born in 1911, the same year as the great Austin Dam Disaster.

Frank was raised in Austin, Potter County, Pennsylvania and was the son of John T. and Mae L. (Baldwin) Sinon.  He had two sisters, Josephine and Helen. His family lived on Bayless Row at what is now 175 Rukgaber (Rugaber) Street

The Austin Area School District is the smallest public school in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

 He graduated from Austin High School in 1928, Penn State University in 1932, and Dickinson Law School in 1936.

Mr. Sinon would serve as the Deputy Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from 1939 - 1943. He was described as "a distinguished young lawyer" at the time. The Governor was Arthur H. James.

Frank would propose to Governor James' daughter, Dorothy, at a Supreme Court dinner one evening during a period of time in which she was serving as First Lady of the Commonwealth.  They would be married on November 14, 1942, a marriage which would last 60 years.

Read Dorothy James Sinon's obituary on Legacy. com.

They would have a daughter Leslie Sinon Powell.

In 1943, Frank joined the U.S. Navy and practiced law as an attorney in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant prior to his discharge in 1946.

Upon his discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1946, Frank would partner with Paul Rhoads to form what remains today one of the most prestigious law firms in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Rhoads and Sinon LLP located in Harrisburg, PA.

Among the many accomplishments during his career, Frank is credited with initiating the firm's state corporate tax practice and making substantial contributions to the municipal and corporate practices.

Frank A. Sinon creates scholarship to Penn State University for Austin High School Graduates.

In May 1996, Mr. Sinon would establish an $8,500 annual scholarship at Penn State University Park Campus for graduates of  Austin High School, Austin, Pennsylvania.

Frank passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2003.

Read the Frank A. Sinon obituary published by the Potter-Leader Enterprise

This photo is believed to be the 1928 Austin High School Senior Class picture of Frank A. Sinon

The Austin, Pennsylvania Baseball Complex

Photo taken October 10, 2016:

Picture taken from School Street

Austin Area School District is the Smallest in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

October 13, 2016

There are currently 500 "brick and mortar" public school districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Austin Area School District is the smallest with a Pre-K through grade 12 student population of 197.  All housed in one (1) building.

The communities of Austin, Conrad, Costello, Wharton, Odin and Keating Summit comprise the Austin Area School District.

The pictures below were taken on Monday, October 10, 2016:

The Austin Area School District is at the forefront of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Churches of Austin, Pennsylvania, October 12, 2016

Austin Free Methodist Church. Located on Costello Avenue. Pastor Roger Laktash, Sunday Service at 9:30 A.M.

United Methodist Church, Turner Street, Pastor Steven Small. Sunday Service at 9:45 A.M.

Saint Augustine's Catholic Church, Turner Street, Father Joe Dougherty. Masses on Thursday at 9:00 A. M. and Saturday at 4:30 P.M. 

Main Street, Austin, Pennsylvania, October 10, 2016

Main Street View From Ruth Street

Big Mike's Dairy Dine and Convenience Store

Goodwin's Garage

Masonic Building - Post Office on left - Just Another Simple Blessing Thrift Store on Right

E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum

Fire Department

The Old Bank Building

Perry Enterprises consisting of a beer distributorship, convenience store, hunting and fishing store and much more.  Fondly referred to as Paul-Mart.

Bub's Crosby's Storage Far Left, Harry Long's Cafe in Middle, and Laundromat on Right. Cafe and Laundromat not open for business.

Cooney's Hardware Store - Not Open For Business

Cock-Eyed Cricket Tavern

West Main Street Salon