Near Austin in Potter County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Austin Flood Disaster

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel

1. Austin Flood Disaster Marker

Inscription. On Sept. 30, 1911, the Bayless Pulp and Paper Company dam broke here. This concrete dam, built in 1909, was nearly fifty feet high; 534 feet long. Its failure sent torrents of water and debris down Freeman Run into Austin and Costello, causing great destruction and killing at least 78 people. This second worst single-dam disaster in Pennsylvania inspired legislation (1913) to regulate the construction of dams in the state.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is September 30, 1911.

Location. 41° 39.137′ N, 78° 5.14′ W. Marker is near Austin, Pennsylvania, in Potter County. It can be reached from Pennsylvania 872. Located on the Austin Flood Memorial pavilion. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Austin PA 16720, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the

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Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: History Of The Austin Dam And 1911 Flood (a few steps from this marker); 78 Lost, No One Forgotten (within shouting distance of this marker); Victims of Sept 30, 1911 Austin Flood (within shouting distance of this marker); Ms. Cora Brooks (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Austin Flood Disaster (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Austin Dam Broke (about 400 feet away); The Bughouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Earthen Dam (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.

Also see . . . Austin Dam Memorial Association. (Submitted on April 26, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel

2. Austin Flood Disaster Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 430 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 26, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.