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

Austin Flood Disaster

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, April 4, 2004

1. Austin Flood Disaster Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

On September 30, 1911, the Bayless Pulp and Paper Company dam broke here. This concrete dam, built in 1909, was nearly 50 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.

Erected 1994 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1775.

Location. 41° 39.171′ N, 78° 5.067′ W. Marker is in Austin, Pennsylvania, in Potter County. Marker is on Rugaber Street (Pennsylvania Route 872) 1.6 miles north of Main Street (Pennsylvania Route 607), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Austin PA 16720, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Austin Dam Broke (here, next to this marker); Victims of Sept 30, 1911 Austin Flood

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ms. Cora Brooks (about 400 feet away); History Of The Austin Dam And 1911 Flood (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Austin Flood Disaster (about 400 feet away); 78 Lost, No One Forgotten (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 . . .
1. Austin Flood Disaster - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAhistory.com (Submitted on January 25, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

2. The Austin Flood Remembered. By Sandra Downs, Tribune-Review, March 1, 1998. (Submitted on January 25, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

3. Austin Dam Memorial Association. (Submitted on February 3, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
4. Austin Flood Centennial information. (Submitted on April 15, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
5. Welcome to the E.O. Austin Historical Society. The E.O. Austin Home is a museum dedicated to the history of Austin and the surrounding areas. (Submitted on May 31, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By Jenn Wintermantel, May 28, 2011

2. Austin Flood Disaster Marker

Austin Dam ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, April 4, 2004

3. Austin Dam ruins

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, May 30, 2004

4. Austin Dam Ruins

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, May 30, 2004

5. Austin Dam Ruins

Photographed By Craig Doda, June 4, 2019

6. Austin Flood Disaster Marker

Photographed By Craig Doda, June 4, 2019

7. Austin Flood Disaster Marker

Bayless Dam on Freemans Run, Austin, Pa. which burst Sept. 30, 1911. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By A. Newman, circa 1911

8. Bayless Dam on Freemans Run, Austin, Pa. which burst Sept. 30, 1911.

Library of Congress [PAN US GEOG - Pennsylvania no. 50]

Austin, Pa. after flood of Sept. 30, 1911. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By A. Newman, 1911

9. Austin, Pa. after flood of Sept. 30, 1911.

Library of Congress [PAN US GEOG - Pennsylvania no. 27]

Austin Flood Disaster headlines image. Click for full size.

10. Austin Flood Disaster headlines

Austin Flood Disaster Information Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jenn Wintermantel, May 28, 2011

11. Austin Flood Disaster Information Sign

Ruins of Austin Dam
Broke Sept 30 1911
78 Lives Lost

Austin Dam Flood Disaster, on bank of Sinnemahoning Creek, Pennsylvania image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown, 1911

12. Austin Dam Flood Disaster, on bank of Sinnemahoning Creek, Pennsylvania

Library of Congress

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,566 times since then and 112 times this year. Last updated on January 29, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1. submitted on January 24, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on May 30, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on January 24, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4, 5. submitted on January 29, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 6, 7. submitted on November 23, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 8, 9. submitted on January 25, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 10. submitted on February 3, 2011. 11. submitted on May 30, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 12. submitted on July 28, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.