The small town of Austin is located in Potter County and has a history which is worthy of a Hollywood movie.
Years ago it was branded as The Town Too Tough To Die as it survived major fires and two (2) major floods.
During it's heyday in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Austin was the largest community in Potter County. One census states the population being over 2900 people
There were plenty of good paying jobs at the papermill and lumbermills.
Austin was so prosperous that it had a whorehouse on a hillside overlooking the dam. The Madam of that Whorehouse would become a hero on that sunny day in September when the dam burst killing an unknown number of people.
The papermill and dam ruins still stand making Austin a "must-see" place to visit in Pennsylvania.
A Community Park has been built in the shadows of the giant cement slabs of the dam ruins. A camping area is also on the grounds of the dam.
Each year there is a Dam Fest featuring a variety of music and musicians. Our Native Americans hold a Pow-Wow annually on the grounds. Weddings, Wedding Receptions, Reunions Graduation Parties and picnics are also held in an area just south of the dam ruins.
The E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum sits on Main Street honoring the town's founder. The museum also contains many artifacts from the early days of Austin's history.
Today, the population is about 500 people.
The Austin Area School District is the smallest public school in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. My last count was 170 students pre-K through Grade 12.
The most popular place to meet and make friends is the VFW Post 7810 South of Austin on Route 872.
There are no traffic lights in town.
Visitors coming to Austin will find a community full of new friends to make.
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