Awesome Austin Pennsylvania

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Pictures Located in the Pavilion at the Austin Dam Memorial Park

The Education Center at the Austin Dam Memorial Park

Saturday, May 23rd, was a beautiful day here in Austin, Pennsylvania, so Angie and I decided to take our Sunday drive and view the Austin Area School District's Project Based Learning results at the Austin Dam Ruins.

While there, I noticed that new exhibits had been placed in the Nuschke Pavilion. Here are some pictures I took that day:

Friday, March 15, 2024

YN3 Fowler Receives Urgent Orders to USNB Sangley Point, Phulippines

We were a few days from reaching San Francisco returning from our WestPac,, when I saw a message come through the Captain's Office from the Chief of Naval Personnel seeking volunteers with Clerical experience for assignment in Southeast Asia.

I had enjoyed visiting Australia, Philippines and Hong Kong, so I volunteered.

The USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) would be going into dry-dock for a few months for repairs. We moved off the ship into a dormitory-like living arrangement at Hunter's :Point Navy Shipyard and a week later I would fly back to Austin, PA for thirty (30) vacation.

Well, I was about two (2) weeks in to my vacation when my mom received a Western Union telegram directing me to return to the ship ASAP. I was being ordered to Sangley Point, Philippines and I was scheduled to report there immediately.

Upon arrival at U. S. Naval Base Sangley Point, I found that my services were not needed immediately. However, I did find a Paradise here on Earth. There were approximately 2900 military personnel stationed there and about 4900 Filipino citizens employed on the base. Many of the military personnel had just completed a tour of duty in Vietnam.

USNS Sangley was located across the Bay from the Capitol of the Philippines Manila. The City of Cavite was just outside the Gate to the base. It was also where the Admiral in Charge of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Philippines made his home.

I would be assigned at the Yeoman for the Naval Base Security Department. Four members within the Security Patrol would immediately welcome me into their circle of friends.

The Navy was responsible for internal security and Marines patrolled outside the gate in the city of Cavite.

My Department Head was a Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel and my Division Officer was a Navy Lieutenant who was an Aviator. My Chief Petty Officer in Charge was a Signalman.

The conversion rate was 7 Pesos to 1 U.S. dollar. An American could get drunk, get a hotel and a Lady of the Night for $5.00.

The Filipinos craved anything from the USA, especially hard liquor. Later on, when I met my wife to be and moved out into the community, I would pay my rent with my ration of whiskey which cost me about $22.00 on base. I didn't drink hard liquor, just good, cold San Miguel beer.....and lots of it.

I would be promoted to Yeoman Second Class (YN2) there. Meet my wife there. I was the shortstop for the 2nd best softball team on the base and was a member of the Security Department bowling team. And I would fall in Love with the country and the people of the Philippines.

The USA would close Sangley and turn it over to the Philippine government in September 1970. I would be one of the last people to leave as I was the clerical guy for the Security Chief. The Security Chief was the last American to leave and he was the one to turn the keys of the Gate over to the Filipino officials.

The Security Chief and I would become close friends during this period of time. Many years later, he would have his grandson find me here in Austin and Angie and I would visit him in Tennessee.

Below are pictures of memories of my time at Sangley Point.

Austin, Pennsylvania: The Town Too Tough To Die

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.

Friday, March 8, 2024

Tribute To The Man Who Built The Museum: Ronnie Ebbert

Making A Difference: Ronnie "E.O." Ebbert

Ronnie Ebbert graduated from the Coudersport Area School District in 1960. He met an Austin girl, Priscilla Anne Carr in 1962 and they married on July 13, 1963.

Ronnie is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces having served in the Army from July 1960 to June 1966. He was stationed in Korea and Germany during his time in the military. Priscilla was able to join him in Germany.

Upon his discharge from the U.S. Army, Ronnie and Priscilla made their home in Austin, Pennsylvania. He found employment at the National Fuel Gas Company, Wharton, Pennsylvania. He was employed at National Fuel from 1967 until his retirement in the year 2000.

Ronnie has always been a civic- and- community service-minded person. He was a driving force behind the formation of The Austin Jaycees in 1968.

Ronnie appears at the far left in the picture

Ronnie was elected President of the local chapter of the Jaycees. Some of the projects completed by the Jaycees in addition to those pictured below were creating a Christmas Tree Lighting Contest and cutting the brush and trees at the site of the Austin Dam Ruins:

The School Path

Built Ice Skating Rink For Community in 1968

Ronnie presenting Senior Citizen Award to Ralph Hernquist

These projects earned the Austin Jaycees the coveted Blue Chip Award by the Pennsylvania State Jaycees:

Ronnie receiving the Award

In 1969 Ronald Dean Ebbert was selected as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America

One day in 1967, while sitting at the breakfast table, Ronnie informed Priscilla that he was going to build a museum in Austin when he retired. On September 2, 2002, the official groundbreaking for the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum began.

Ronnie Ebbert removing the first shovel of dirt

Mayor Neil Shepard

Peggy Kelsey

Mark Jeffers and Judy Heft

Staci Frank top, Don Sypien bottom

The dream became a reality and the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society opened on May 15, 2006.

Here are some pictures taken the day of the official opening:

Honorable John Leete and his wife Georganne

Ronnie with grandson Alex

State Representative Martin Causer

Since that day, the museum has added hundreds of new exhibits, is open five (5) days a week and does not charge for admission.

Furthermore, each year the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society, under the direction of Mr. Ebbert, completes a project to enhance the Community of Austin. The trees and tree planters on Main Street, painting the gazebo, the clock in front and to the side of the gazebo,and placing many historical markers throughout the area are just a few examples of Mr. Ebberts efforts to improve our community.

This past year, Ronnie was influential in the Borough of Austin accepting the real estate contract transferring the former Northwest Savings Bank building to Austin and locating the borough offices in the bank building on Turner Street.

Additionally, Mr. Ebbert is an active member of the Austin Dam Memorial Association. He was involved in building the gift shop, remodeling the kitchen, and laying the cement for the stage; and, the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society funded the monument that appears in front of the Dam Ruins.

Ronnie Ebbert will do whatever it takes to get a job done and never let's the word no stop him from completing whatever mission he undertakes. He is a perfect example of the difference one person can make in a community.