Potter County Habitat for Humanity Austin PA Photo Update

37 Thorn Street

Austin, PA

Site of Future Home for Amanda and Scott Crumrine

March 15, 2015: 37 Thorn Street

March 26, 2017
Groundbreaking
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.

May 2017

Ralph Fuller

Buck Jackson

Chad Barr Jr.

Bucky Blanier and Chad Barr Sr.

Bucky Blanier

Chadd Barr Jr.

Chad Barr Sr. and Chad Barr Jr.

Chad Barr Jr. and Chad Barr Sr.

Cory Glover

Chad Barr Jr. and Chad Barr Sr.

Deb Barr

Chad and Deb Barr

Chad Barr Jr.

Cory Glover

Cory Glover and Chad Barr Jr.

Deb Barr

Deb, Chad Jr. and Chad Sr.

Chad Barr Jr. and Chad Barr Sr.

June 2017

Vision, Pride, Dedication and Hard Work on Display in Austin, Pennsylvania

"I finally got in to see your museum. I can't believe all the items you have on display there. I particularly liked the children's book display. You really have something to be proud of there". 

This was the greeting I received today from the VA doctor at the Coudersport, Pa., outpatient clinic.

She went on to describe the flurry of activity taking place at One Town Square when she arrived in Austin this past Sunday.  She indicated that people were painting the gazebo, the fire hydrant and putting up patriotic decorations for the Memorial Day Ceremony the following day and it really looked beautiful.

I had noticed how attractive One Town Square looked earlier in the day when I stopped by the post office to pick up the mail.  So, I knew what she was talking about. 

One Town Square is the area on Main Street, Austin, Pennsylvania, maintained by The E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society. They were responsible for the planning and coordinating of the decorating activities, ensuring it would be completed before Monday's Memorial Day Ceremony.

  Later, I was able to ascertain the names of the individuals and organizations responsible for this undertaking:

• Emporium Specialties Company and Ron Ebbert provided the bunting for the gazebo
• Donnie Caskey applied the bunting on the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum
• Flag pole taken down and put back up by the Austin Fire Department
• Ron Ebbert painting the flag pole
• Entire lawn and trimming by Ron Ebbert
• Flowers in urns at the entrance to the All Veterans of All Wars Memorial Monument by Nancy Glover and VFW Post 7810 Auxiliary
• Flower arrangement in the Children's Monument by teacher Karen Crosby and her students
• Museum decorations provided by the members of The E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society

The result of their effort is pictured below:

One Town Square Austin, Pennsylvania

E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum grounds are  always immaculate.

Gazebo with new coat of paint. Fresh flowers next to the Children';s Monument on right.

Children's Monument

New Steps to Gazebo recently stained.

Veterans Memorial landscape manicured with fresh flowers in urns.

Fresh coat of paint

Fresh coat of paint on flag pole

Small Town America Patriotism at It's Best.

Seven Local Men Who Were Killed-in-Action During Time of War

On Monday, May 29, 2017
at 3:00 P.M.
Take a Moment to Remember

The Seven Local Men Who Died Serving Our Country 

Sergeant Paul M. Brown, Wharton Area, served in the Korean War.  He was Killed In Action on March 1, 1951.  His funeral was held in the Coudersport Consistory.  There is a picture of his casket in the E.O. Austin Museum. Read More



Private Perry Hooftallen, Austin, served in World War II.  He was Killed in Action on October 19, 1944, in France. He is buried in France. He was awarded the Gold Star for his Valor.  There is a picture of his Grave Marker and his brother, Sergeant Elias Hooftallen, standing in front of The Veteran's Memorial in France, on the Second Floor of the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum in the Military Section. Read More



Captain Edgar E. Nuschke was killed-in-action during the Vietnam War. Additional information on Captain Nuschke can be found at the E.O. Austin Home Historical Society Museum, Austin, Pennsylvania. Read More




Private Edward Ritsick, Wharton, was killed-in-action during the Vietnam War. He was a close friend of mine. Further information on Private Ritsick is on display at the E.O. Austin Home Historical Society Museum in Austin, Pennsylvania. Read More






Private Robert I. Roberts, Austin, served in the Korean War.  He was Killed In Action on May 28, 1951.  There is a picture of his Funeral Color Guard in the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum. Read More





Private First Class Howard W. Thompson, Wharton Area, was Killed In Action in Germany in World War II.  I have learned that his nickname was "Chain", but don't know why. There is a picture of PFC Thompson in the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum. Read More



Private Fred Van Why, Austin,  served in the Army during World War II from 1943-1945.  He reenlisted in 1950 when The Korean War broke out.  He was Killed In Action on February 8, 1951.  There is a picture of Private Van Why in the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum. I am proud to say that he is my uncle. Read More

SGT. Paul M. Brown Memorial Bridge Dedication Ceremony

SGT Paul M. Brown, U.S. Army, was killed-in-action during the Korean War on March 2, 1951. Read more

William "Bill" Simpson, Director, Potter County Veterans Affairs

Norma Cobb, Invocation

Remarks by Representative Martin T. Causer

Remarks by Mrs. Gloria (Brown) Bailey, great niece of Sgt. Brown

Presentation by Vic Corneliussen, Chapter President and members of the Vietnam Vets/Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club:

Military Honors:

Kerry Ehrensberger

Donald Lathrop

Unveiling of State Highway Markers

Chris Ehrensberger

Left to right: Representative Martin T. Causer, Brown Family Members: Burton Wilson, nephew,

Sandy J. Bissman, great niece, Gloria Brown Bailey, great niece,  David Wilson, nephew, and John Wilson, nephew, Adjutant Ted Pearsall, American Legion Post 192, and William "Bill" Simpson, Director, Potter County Veterans Affairs

Sgt. Paul M. Brown Family Members:

Left to right: Deb Pfaff, Thomas E. Bissman, Tristin Bissman, Edwin L. Bailey, Gloria Brown Bailey, Scott W. Bissman, David Wilson, Sandy J. Bissman, John Wilson, and Burton Wilson

Additional Pictures of the Memorial Bridge Dedication Ceremony:

Representing VFW Post 7810, Austin, Pennsylvania, Kerry Ehrensberger, Chris Ehrensberger and Donald Lathrop.  Also attending, but not pictured were Angie Fowler, Barb Visneski and Bernard "Mike" Fowler.

Representing American Legion Post 192, Coudersport, Pennsylvania Adjutant Ted Pearsall and Commander John Orlowski.

Representing the E.O. Austin Home Historical Society Director Ron Ebbert.

Representing Wharton Township Doug Kio Sr.

Close Brown Family Friend WWII Veteran Barton Greeley

Vietnam Vets/Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club

More Pictures Are Posted on the Austin Boro News Blog Click HERE

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.