Costello in Potter County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Costello Tannery
(1880-1924)
Photographed by Jenn Wintermantel, May 28, 2011
1. The Costello Tannery Marker
On this site once known as North Wharton, P.H. Costello and P.C. Costello of Oneida, New York, built what was then the worlds largest tannery. By December 1881 the tannery consumed 32,000 cord of bark annually for a yearly output of 6,000,000 of sole leather. With 275 employees, it had a monthly payroll of $10,000.00. By the time the tannery was completed, North Wharton had become known as Costello.
Erected by The E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1881.
Location. 41° 35.619′ N, 78° 3.396′ W. Marker is in Costello, Pennsylvania, in Potter County. It is on Costello Road (Pennsylvania Route 872) 0.2 miles west of Route 3003, on the right when traveling north. 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 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Louis Nuschke Store (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Goodyear Mill (approx. 3.2 miles away); The Bayless Pulp and Paper Mill (approx. 3.6 miles away); Ms. Cora Brooks (approx. 4.3 miles away); 78 Lost, No One Forgotten (approx.
this page online
Also see . . . 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. The Costello Tannery Marker
Photographed by Unknown
3. The Costello Tannery
Photographed by Lanny Nunn
4. The Costello Tannery Marker
All are from Coudersport Historical S.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,145 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 30, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on May 31, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on May 6, 2026, by Lanny Nunn of Port Allegany, Pennsylvania. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
