Sunday, April 30, 2017

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).

Monday, April 17, 2017

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.

Saturday, April 1, 2017

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.

Monday, March 27, 2017

Austin Fire Hall Site of Habitat for Humanity Groundbreaking Ceremony Celebration



March 26, 2017

The Scott Crumrine Family and Members of the Potter County Habitat for Humanity at the site where the new home will be built
                                  

The Fire Hall located on Main Street in Austin, Pennsylvania, hosted the groundbreaking ceremony celebration welcoming Habitat for Humanity to the Community of Austin, Pennsylvania.

Some of the dignitaries attending the ceremony were:

Representing Potter County Habitat for Humanity

  • Brian F. Ruane, President
  • Dick Myers, Director of Construction
  • Wayne Walker, Board Member, grew up in Austin
  • Dr. Marilyn Kistner, Secretary/Treasurer
  • Buck Jackson, Board Member
  • Carol Jackson, Fund Raising Committee
  • Ivan Lehman, Board Member
  • Barry Hayman, Board Member

Representing Potter County Commissioners:
  • Doug Morley, Commissioner

Representing the Austin Borough Council:
  • Jimmy Setzer, Mayor
  • Jessie Valenti, President
  • Amanda Crumrine, Councilwoman
  • Bernard "Mike" Fowler, Councilman
  • Victoria "Vicki" Setzer, Councilwoman
Representing the United Methodist Church in Austin:
  • Pastor Todd Lamer
Pictured are some of the speakers for the event:


Brian F. Ruane, President, Potter County Habitat for Humanity

Dick Meyers, Director of Construction, Potter County Habitat for Humanity
Note: During his presentation Director Meyers sited the outstanding assistance rendered by Austin Borough Secretary/Treasurer Daleen Sinnamond.
Doug Morley, Potter County Commissioner
                     


Jimmy Setzer, Mayor, Borough of Austin


Pastor Todd Lamer, United Methodist Church of Austin


Amanda and Scott Crumrine Giving Thanks

Members of the Austin Borough Government Present at the Time the Pictures Below Were Taken:

Mayor Jimmy Setzer

Amanda Crumrine, Councilwoman


Victoria Setzer, Councilwoman


Bernard "Mike" Fowler, Councilman

Pictures of Attendees:

                             




Members of the Austin Borough Council pray for a long and lasting relationship with the Potter County Habitat for Humanity organization.

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Habitat for Humanity Comes to Austin

March 26, 2017

The Potter County Habitat for Humanity organization had a ground breaking ceremony today in Austin, Pennsylvania, for their first home to be built in the Borough of Austin.

The site of  the new home is 37 Thorn Street which is the lot previously occupied by Gus Heneckes.

The home is being built for the Scott and Amanda Crumrine Family

Scott and Amanda in the back. Kyler and Kylie in the front



From left: Dr. Marilyn Kistner, Carol Jackson, Scott and Amanda Crumrine, Brian Ruane, Dick Myers, Wayne "Tink" Walker, and Ivan Lehman
Kyler and Kylie Crumrine in front.

Members of the Potter County Habitat for Humanity who attended the groundbreaking ceremony were:
  • Brian F. Ruane, President
  • Dick Myers, Director of Construction
  • Wayne Walker, Board Member, grew up in Austin
  • Dr. Marilyn Kistner, Secretary/Treasurer
  • Buck Jackson, Board Member
  • Carol Jackson, Fund Raising Committee
  • Ivan Lehman, Board Member
  • Barry Hayman, Board Member

Dick Myers Habitat for Humanity Director of Construction on left.
Bernard "Mike" Fowler, Austin Borough Council on right.

Councilman Fowler spearheaded the effort to bring Habitat for Humanity to Austin, working with Dick Myers, and, Pastor Steven Small of the Austin United Methodist Church, who is also a member of Habitat for Humanity.









 Bringing Habitat for Humanity to the Borough of Austin was a top priority of Councilman Bernard "Mike" Fowler when he assumed office in 2012. In order to do this, Fowler proposed that the vacant lot where the former home of Gus Heneckes once stood be donated to Habitat for Humanity in order for a new home to be built there.  His first attempt was defeated by Borough Council. However, Fowler did not give up, bringing the motion up again the following year, when it passed.

A empty, borough-owned lot will now consist of a new home, increasing the Borough of Austin's tax base and add an additional water and sewer revenue account.

Bernard "Mike" Fowler
Construction is expected to begin in early April.


Saturday, March 11, 2017

Milestone Timeline in the History of Austin, Pennsylvania: 1856 - 1943

Milestone Timeline of Austin, Pennsylvania 1856 - 1943

1856 - E.O. Austin cut a road through Costello and settled in an area called North Wharton which       would later be renamed Austin.

1857 - George Turner settled in an area north of the E.O. Austin settlement.

1878 - Post office established at E. O. Austin’s resident named Freeman Run.

1881 - First telephone line in the county was built from Keating Summit to Costello,
providing service to Austin.

1885 - F. H. Goodyear built the Sinnemahoning Valley Railroad from Keating Summit to Austin.

1886 - Two mills, referred to as the big mill and the small mill, were built in Austin by O.S.    Garretson. Big mill referred to as The Hemlock Mill. Small mill cut
hardwood.
The mills  were located on property previously owned by E. O. Austin and
George Turner, and, thereafter purchased by Garretson.
Railroad extended from Austin to Costello.
The United Lumber Company organized by F.H. Goodyear, president, S.S. Bullis,
general manager, J.J. Newman, secretary in order to control the lumber market
and force up the price of lumber.

1887 - F.H. Goodyear makes his brother C.W. Goodyear as partner till 1900, when it
was reorganized as the Goodyear Corporation
The name of the post office changed to Austin on April 1, 1887.
Austin’s population reported to be 500.
Blaisdell Brothers build kindling wood factory.
Electric light supplied to citizens of Austin by lighting plant put into
operation at the starting of the O.S. Garretson mill.
The Austin Autograph newspaper was established.


1888 - R. J. Gaffney built chemical works factory for the manufacture of wood alcohol.
The borough of Austin was incorporated.
A graded school building was erected by Pinney and Rees for a total cost of  $3200
Crystal Hose Company formed. Painter and art teacher Paul Costa became
Austin’s first official fire chief.
First bowling alley built on Turner Street

1889 - First major fire destroyed blacksmith and wagon shop owned by John Hagen.
One man, James Moyer was burned to death.

1890 - The census shows Austin to have a population of 1670 which was the largest
borough in the county.
A.G. Lyman built hardwood mill.
Second major fire. A large part of the town was destroyed, sweeping both sides
of Main Street, burning 43 businesses and a few dwellings.  
Third fire, December 1890, burned five stores on Turner Street.

1891 - March fire destroyed F. J. Gerrity boarding house. Three died and three burned
severely.

1893 - The Davidge Manufacturing Company built a hubs and veneering plant.
Railroad completed from Austin to Galeton
Goodyear railroad lines consolidated and called the Buffalo and Susquehanna.

1894 - Gas line laid to Austin from Coudersport over Mina Hill through Odin.

1897 - The most extensive fire swept Railroad, Turner Street and parts of Main Street.
89 families were burned out, two churches, a theater, several stores and 
boarding houses were destroyed.
The big hemlock mill becomes the property of the Goodyear Corporation and
Remodeled into a band mill.
St. Augustine’s Catholic Church was built. (Destroyed in flood of 1911, but rebuilt)

1898 - The Austin Republican newspaper was established.
The Austin Hospital was established.

1900 - The Bayless Pulp and Paper Company was erected.
The Bayless Row and Starkweather houses built.

1901 - The Emporium Lumber Company purchases the A.G. Lyman hard wood mill.
New gas line laid to Austin from Roulet over the Lookoff.
Original dam across the valley of Freeman Run built of native stone laid in cement and flanked by earth embankments on both sides for water supply to the
Bayless Pulp and Paper Company
By a vote of 157 to 59 citizens of Austin voted in favor of a borough owned waterworks

1902 - Austin borough fire department becomes incorporated.
The Bank of Austin was built.
.
1903 - The small hardwood mill burned and was not rebuilt.
1904 - The primary school building burned, but was immediately rebuilt.
1905 - Construction of Austin Municipal Waterworks began after lengthy legal battle
decided by the Supreme Court.

1906 - The Austin Republican newspaper stopped publication.

1907 - Macadam road built from borough line in Austin to Costello.

1909 - Frank E. Baldwin of Austin elected State Senator.
The new Austin dam was built.
E.O. Austin died.

1910 - State took over road from Coudersport to Sinnemahoning via Austin and
Wharton; and, Coudersport to Keating Summit via Austin.
The new Austin dam cracked. A hole was blasted in the top of the dam, near
the top releasing three feet of water and arrested the movement of the dam.
Austin’s population reaches historical high of 2941.

1911 - Big hemlock mill closed in February
The Austin dam broke destroying the community of Austin on September 30, 1911. It remains the second worst dam disaster in the Commonwealth of PA.
The Austin Autograph newspaper ended publication due to the flood.

1912 - Brick road build on Costello Avenue.

1914 - The Emporium Lumber Company Mill was dismantled.

1916 - The lumber industry in Potter County, including Austin was nearly distinct.

1920 - The Austin Community Building was erected.

1924 - The Bank of Austin becomes a national bank.

1925 - The first hard road connecting Austin with the world outside was built to Keating Summit.

1930 - Hard road to Coudersport from Austin finished. Referred to as the Baldwin Highway after Senator Frank E. Baldwin.
The Austin Hospital building was torn down.

1933 - The Bayless Company is bankrupt.

1941 - They Bayless Company is sold at public auction. Purchased by Veta Mines
Corporation who opens the plant under the name of the Williamson Pulp and
Paper Company.

1942 - Flood of 1942 seriously damages The Williamson Pulp and Paper Company
forcing it to close.

1943 - The Pulp and Paper Company was destroyed by fire.

Events and dates were gathered from the following publications:
  • History of Potter County by Victor Beebe
  • 1911 The Austin Flood by Paul W. Heimel
  • Community Growth in Freeman Run by Marie Kathern Nuschke
  • Industry Comes to Freeman Run by Marine Kathern Nuschke
  • Austin Centennial 1888 - 1988 by Austin Centennial Committee

Friday, March 3, 2017

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