Lumber Heritage Region Unveils Cora Brooks Interpretive Panel at Austin Dam Memorial Park
Austin Dam Memorial Park July 25th, 2024 – The Lumber Heritage Region (LHR) is moving forward with sharing the stories highlighted in an initial diversity study report. Funded in part by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Heritage Area Program, this research project identified, recorded, and summarized stories and events of the region that highlight the historic role of women and of individuals of diverse and/or marginalized ethnic and cultural identity in the history of the Pennsylvania lumber industry.
Starting with in-depth research in 2020, this is part of an ongoing initiative for the LHR. It is important to include stories from people of various backgrounds to compile and share a more complete history of the region. Many of the contributions from marginalized groups have long gone underrepresented when sharing stories and history of the region – especially regarding lumber-related histories.
Now that the initial findings have been reported, the next phase is sharing those findings. One of the ways the Lumber Heritage Region is accomplishing this is with the creation and installation of interpretive panels. The Austin Dam Memorial Association worked with the LHR and their local Scout Club to install and unveil the Cora Brooks / Bayless Paper Mill sign at the Austin Dam Memorial Park.
The panel tells the story of how Cora Brooks spread the word of the breaking of the Bayless Paper Mill Dam – saving lives of many of those in the path of destruction. Alvie Fourness of the Austin Dam Memorial Association stated, “We placed the panel so that when standing to read it, if you look upward, you will see the hillside where Cora Brook’s boarding house was”. From this vantage point one can imagine the clear view of the dam (and its wreckage) Cora would have had before the trees grew in. Directly in front of the panel is a large piece of the dam that broke away as the water pressure became too great to bear.
The dam had been constructed by the Bayless Paper Company to control the water supply to the paper mill built downstream of the dam. On Saturday, September 30th, 1911, Cora Brooks heard the piercing crack of the dam and the thundering sound of the water as it rushed through the breach. Acting quickly, she initiated the spread of the word to the community that the dam was breaking.
In addition to the unveiling ceremony, the Austin Dam Memorial Association hosted chainsaw carvers and a movie at the park.
Thank you to the Austin Dam Memorial Association and Alvie Fourness for installing the panel and
orchestrating its unveiling. Another big thank you to Jennifer Leightley and the Scout Club girls for their help with installation and for reading the story of Cora and the other heroines involved in the Austin Dam Disaster and aftermath.
About the Lumber Heritage Region:
The Lumber Heritage Region is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and celebrating the rich history and heritage of the lumber industry in Pennsylvania. Established in 2001, the organization works tirelessly to educate the public about the contributions of the lumber industry to the region’s development.
To read the full LHR Diversity Report, please visit
or for more information please contact Holly Komonczi
hkomonczi@lumberheritage.org 814-486-9376.
hkomonczi@lumberheritage.org 814-486-9376.
