Austin in Potter County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
History Of The Austin Dam And 1911 Flood
Photographed By Craig Doda, June 4, 2019
1. History Of The Austin Dam And 1911 Flood Marker
Inscription.
History Of The Austin Dam And 1911 Flood. . The Austin Dam was built in 1909 to harness water from Freeman Run to power Paper Mill, the town's largest industry. While the Bayless the citizens of Austin who worked at the many mill were grateful for their jobs, others questioned the stability of the dam and worried what would happen if it ever broke. On September 30, 1911, Austin found out. Poor construction, coupled with torrential rain, resulted in the dam's collapse. Over 400 million gallons of water were released, destroying everything in its path for eight miles. At least seventy-eight people perished in the tragedy. It the second was worst flood disaster in Pennsylvania's history, and sixth worst dam failure in US. history. The fact that the remains of the dam still stand a century later is truly remarkable. The Austen Dam was placed on Register of Historic Places in 1987. The the U.S. National lessons of the delicate balance between mankind and nature, as well as corporate responsibility, are as relevant today they were 100 years as ago.
The Austin Dam was built in 1909 to harness
water from Freeman Run to power
Paper Mill, the town's largest industry. While
the Bayless
the
citizens of Austin who worked at the
many
mill
were grateful for their jobs, others
questioned the stability of the dam and worried
what would happen if it
ever
broke.
On September 30, 1911, Austin found out.
Poor construction, coupled with torrential rain,
resulted in the dam's collapse. Over 400 million
gallons of water were released, destroying
everything in its path for eight miles. At least
seventy-eight people perished in the tragedy. It
the second
was
worst flood disaster in
Pennsylvania's history, and sixth worst dam
failure in US. history.
The fact that the remains of the dam still stand a
century later is truly remarkable. The Austen
Dam was placed on
Register of Historic Places in 1987. The
the U.S. National
lessons of the delicate balance between mankind
and nature, as well as corporate responsibility,
are as relevant today
they
were 100 years
as
ago.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is September 30, 1911.
Location. 41° 39.133′ N, 78° 5.133′ W. Marker is in Austin, Pennsylvania, in Potter County. Marker is on PA-872 S, on the left when traveling north
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. Marker is in Austin Dam Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Austin PA 16720, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. History Of The Austin Dam And 1911 Flood Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 255 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 23, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
