Austin Dam

Nestled in a narrow valley and along the winding stream of Freeman Run is the ruins of the Austin Dam. In 1911 the dam broke and water engulfed much of the town of Austin and claimed over 78 lives.

In 1994 the Austin Dam Memorial Park Association was formed and they since have worked diligently to preserve the dam remains and to create a beautiful natural park. Hiking and a small campground by donation exists there.

http://www.austindam.net/

Austin, PA

|

Not far from the Austin Dam, the historic dam that collapsed and flooded out a community. I remember smelling the coal smoke and hearing the gun shots ring out from the hills as I explored this little hick town with a general store and some fairly run-down houses deep in Appalachia.