The E.O. Austin Home Historical Society Is A Major Asset To The Community of Austin, Pennsylvania

Every year, the E.O. Austin Home Historical Society undertakes at least one major project to improve the appearance of our small community of Austin, Potter County, Pennsylvania.

This year they have already completed one project and are in the process of completing a second one:

Already completed is a roof over the handicap ramp as pictured below:

The Historical Society has also replaced the steps on the Gazebo and is working with the local Boy Scouts to apply a much needed fresh coat of paint on the structure in the near future.

The museum is dedicated to the history of Austin and the surrounding communities. There is no charge to tour the museum, but, donations are greatly appreciated.  Visit their website by clicking HERE and plan to stop by the next time you're in the Potter County area.  In fact, plan to spend a three-day weekend in the area as the Austin Dam Ruins are a couple of miles north of Austin on Route 872 and 13 miles south of Austin, also on Route 872, is the Sinnemahoning State Park. The Sizerville State Park is approximately ten (10) miles from Austin.

The Beautiful St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin, Potter County, Pennsylvania

As soon as we entered the church, we noticed the wonderfully pungent smell of fresh flowers. As we got closer to the alter, we could see the beautiful arrangement of various flowers positioned from one side of the alter to the other.

The smell and beauty of the flowers caused me to perk-up and take a more closer look at the beautiful Catholic Church we have right here in our little town.

St. Augustine Catholic Church, Turner Street, Austin, Pennsylvania

Father Joe Dougherty

Angie and I usually sit by this window and I've often wished I knew the history of the The Peter Batau Family.

Bishop Lawrence Persico

Our beloved W. Robert Griffin

Yesterday was the start of Spring Gobbler Hunting Season and there was a large attendance at the 4:30 PM mass. We are genuinely pleased when visitors join us for mass. In fact, we look forward to those special occasions such as hunting and fishing season, or, summer vacations, when the campers return to our area and we get to see them once again.

Note:  Angie and I recently visited America's First Parish founded on September 8, 1565 in Saint Augustine Florida. (see pictures here).

Former Home of Senator Frank Baldwin Austin PA For Sale

For Sale: Victorian style turn of the century 5 bedroom home on over an acre on Turner St in Austin. Once owned by Senator Frank Baldwin in the early 1900s. Roughly 2,500 sq ft of living space with a full-- DRY-- basement. All new windows. New roof. Freshly painted. Inside will need considerable work but when completed will be one of the premier homes in Potter County. Stream in back yard. Was once a pond as well but has filled in some over the years. Could easily be rehabilitated. Call Bob Hooftallen at  814-331-2409 for more info.

Frank Baldwin was a State Senator and the attorney for the Bayless Pulp and Paper Company at the time of the 1911 Austin Dam Disaster.

Bennett, Corey and Fowler Form The Austin Baseball Association in 1986

In the spring of 1986 I became the manager of the Austin Little League Baseball program. The equipment was unsafe to use. The helmets were cracked and the stitching on the baseballs were loose and coming undone. The baseball field needed a lot of work to get it in a playable condition.

I immediately went on a "door knocking campaign" to raise money to buy new equipment and supplies. I was met with overwhelming support by the community. See newspaper article below.

With the help  and support of Paul Bennett and Ed Corey, we were able to get the baseball diamond in satisfactory playing condition.

At this time, the three of us decided to form the Austin Baseball Association.

Note: Paul Bennett and Ed Corey would team up with me again approximately 20 years later to remove the brush from the east side of the school path to the Freeman Run creek which was a monumental task.

Once the baseball season ended in 1986 a major overhaul of the baseball playing field was performed by Ed, Paul, myself, and Paul's brother Richard who owned and operated a construction company. See newspaper article below.

Since 1986, there have been many dedicated individuals who have devoted countless hours in improving upon what Ed, Paul and I started in 1986.

Today, The Austin Baseball Complex is one of the best, if not the best, in this part of rural Pennsylvania. We even have lights so the kid's can play some games at night. On a number of occasions, The Austin Little League Baseball field has been chosen to host Little League Baseball All-Star Championship games.

1986 Austin Little League Baseball team

Major rebuilding of the Little League Baseball field

Picture of Austin Baseball Diamond taken in October 2016

*Article was previously published in The Austin Boro News Blog.