Butler is named after Major GeneralRichard Butler, who died in the 1791Battle of the Wabash. Settled in 1803 by John and Samuel Cunningham, it became a borough in 1817 and a city in 1918. Initially populated by Irish and Scottish immigrants, Butler saw a large influx of German settlers in the early 19th century. It contributed to theSteel Belt manufacturing region as home to theStandard Steel Car Company, which produced early all-steel railcars, and theAmerican Bantam Car Company, known for developing the originalWillys Jeep.
The Butler Area Public Library, built in 1921, was Pennsylvania's lastCarnegie library. The city also hosts the Butler Little Theatre, active since 1941, and notable sites such as theButler County Courthouse andButler Armory. Annual events include the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival and the Butler Italian Festival. Though manufacturing jobs declined by the late 1970s, Butler has sought economic revitalization, with key employers includingCleveland-Cliffs,Butler Area School District, andVA Butler Healthcare.
In 1803, John and Samuel Cunningham became the first settlers in the village of Butler. After settling in Butler, the two brothers laid out the community by drawing up plots of land for more incoming settlers.[5] By 1817, the community was incorporated into aborough.[5] The first settlers were of Irish or Scottish descent and were driving westward fromConnecticut. In 1802, the German immigrants began arriving, with Detmar Basse settling inJackson Township in 1802 and foundingZelienople the following year. AfterGeorge Rapp arrived in 1805 and foundedHarmony, larger numbers of settlers followed.John A. Roebling settledSaxonburg in 1832, by which time most of the county was filled with German settlers.
The first Butler library originated in 1894 with the Literary Society of Butler[6] in what is now known as the Little Red Schoolhouse.[7] The Butler Area Public Library, built in 1921, was the lastCarnegie library to bebuilt in Pennsylvania. In the intervening 27, years the library was independently operated.[6] From 1921 to 1941, the library quadrupled the number of patrons served.[8]
Edna & Floyd Cramer at their Maytag Store in Butler, Pennsylvania 1920s
In the early 1900s, Butler was a "Steel Belt" manufacturing and industrial area. It remains home to a Cleveland Cliffs Butler Works, formerly AK Steel Butler Works. In 1902, theStandard Steel Car Company opened one of its largestrailcar manufacturing facilities in Butler, where it manufactured some of the first all-steel rail cars. Standard Steel Car Company merged withPullman Palace Car Company in 1934, creating Pullman-Standard, a monopoly that was eventually broken by the federal government.[citation needed]
About 2,500 workers produced 60 steel-bed railroad cars per day in 1902. Eastern European immigrants were lured to the area in the early 20th century with the promise of reliable jobs, which offered company housing and a company store. The company constructed a baseball park which was the home of a New York Yankees farm team. The steel workers of Butler made artillery and naval shells during World War II.[9]
The Pullman-Standard plant closed in 1982, but was purchased in 1984 byTrinity Industries. Trinity Industries left the factory in 1993, and the factory was completely demolished in 2005. The site is now occupied by a vacantstrip mall, as well as theButler Transit Authority inter-modal facility. In 2011 the BTA moved acovered hopper rail-car, built in 1974, to the bus terminal in recognition of the former Pullman-Standard plant.[10]
TheAmerican Austin Car Company (1929–1941) was headquartered in the area. Later the firm changed its name to American Bantam Car Company. Bantam was an early producer of small fuel-efficient vehicles through the 1930s. In 1940, lead engineer Karl Probst led Bantam design team to create what later was termed the iconic WWIIJeep. Sizeable military contracts eventually went toWillys and Ford, as the Bantam factory had floundered. Today, a controversial monument stands near the courthouse commemorating Bantam's "creation of the Jeep".
Butler is home to one of the earlyFord dealerships, established in 1918 and still extant.[11]
At one point, the Rainbow Rubber Company, in the late 1930s, made "Rubrtoy" replicas of Oldsmobiles along with many other rubber toys.[12]
In the 1950s, Butler became one of the first cities to install bells atcrosswalks, a common practice today.[citation needed] Pedestrians could cross in either direction.
Like most of the region, by the end of the 1970s, the local economy changed dramatically. Manufacturing virtually ended and well-paying jobs became scarce.[9]
On July 13, 2024, during a2024 presidential campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds near Butler,[13]Donald Trump was wounded in his right ear from anattempted assassination, during which one audience member was killed and two others severely injured in the gunfire.Thomas Matthew Crooks, the perpetrator, was promptly killed by aSecret Service Counter Assault Team sniper.[14] Trump was swiftly transported to Butler Memorial Hospital and treated there, before being flown out ofPittsburgh International Airport.[15] The incident occurred outside of the Butler city jurisdiction. Nonetheless, Mayor of Butler Bob Dandoy stated that a lot of attention was focused on the city.[16]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2), all land.
Connoquenessing Creek is the only waterway to pass through the city. In 2000, a scientific study was conducted to determine the health of the creek. Researchers discovered that only theMississippi River received more toxic materials than the Connoquenessing, making the small river the second most polluted waterway in the United States. At the time, the Armco Inc. steel facility in Butler ranked first nationally for the amount of pollutant discharges.[17] However, by 2010, due to reduced industry and clean up efforts, the creek's health has significantly recovered and has become popular for water-sport activities.[18]
As of the2000 census,[21] there were 15,121 people, 6,740 households, and 3,626 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,611.3 inhabitants per square mile (2,166.5/km2). There were 7,402 housing units at an average density of 2,746.8 per square mile (1,060.5/km2). Theracial makeup of the city was 93.6% White, 2.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.52% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.88% of the population.
There were 6,740 households, out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.0% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.2% were non-families. 40.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,154, and the median income for a family was $35,893. Males had a median income of $30,607 versus $20,950 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,457. About 14.7% of families and 19.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.8% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.
The Butler County Symphony Orchestra (BCSO), is Butler's largest performing arts non-profit. Founded in 1948 as the Butler Orchestral Association, the BCSO has been in continuous operations since its first concert in April 1950. Edward Roncone served as the first Music Director and Conductor, and the inaugural performance also served as the Sesquicentennial celebration of Butler County.[22] The BCSO currently sponsors six subscription concerts, a Chamber Music Series, and a Summer Concert Series, making them operate as a year-round performing arts organization.
The Butler Little Theatre has been running productions continuously since 1941. The Musical Theater Guild produces an annual musical production. In 2012,Hobnob Theatre Company began producing several plays, including an annual production ofCharles Dickens'A Christmas Carol andShakespeare in the Park productions at Preston Park and other Butler county parks.[23]
The Maridon Museum is the only museum in the Western Pennsylvania region with a specific focus on Chinese and Japanese art and culture.
TheLittle Red School House is a formerone-room schoolhouse that taught students from 1839 to 1874. Throughout its history, it has been a post office, library and Red Cross headquarters. It became a museum in 1966 and is run by the Butler County Historical Society.[24]
Butler is home to the Butler County Symphony Association, which performs at the Butler Intermediate High School auditorium.
The city features artist groups including the Associated Artists of Butler County and the Butler Arts Council, which host galleries and live events at the Art Center, located on Main Street.
Stewart O'Nan's prizewinning 1994 novelSnow Angels is set in Butler, with the protagonist being a local high school student. However, the 2007film adaption, shot in Canada, removes all references to Butler.
The Butler Road Race, a 5-mile and 2-mile race held each summer in June, raises scholarship funding for local students.
The Butler Italian Festival is an annual street fair that features ethnic foods, live music and events. The festival's organizer canceled the regular event in 2024, so a similar event, "Taste of Italy," was put on by downtown businesses instead.[26][27]
The Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival, the LargestJeep Festival in the US, is held annually in June with off-road trails, a Jeep Playground obstacle course, and the "original" Jeep Invasion street party.
TheButler Armory is aNational Guardarmory located on Washington Street. Built in 1922, it was designed by architect Joseph F. Kuntz with W.G. Wilkins, Co. and expanded in 1930.
TheButler County Courthouse is a government and judicial building located in the heart of the city. The plaza across the street, Diamond Park, displays various war memorials.
TheButler County National Bank, also known as the Lafayette Building and Butler Branch Mellon Bank, is considered the first "skyscraper" in Butler. It was built in 1902–1903, and is a six-story, five bay by five bay, brick and stone building in theFrench Renaissance Revival style. A two-story addition was built in 1929. The building housed Butler's post office from 1903 to 1913. The building was rehabilitated into an apartment building in 1992–1993.
TheButler Historic District is a nationalhistoric district which includes 128 contributing buildings, 1 contributing site, and 4 contributing objects in the central business district of Butler. It includes primarily commercial and institutional buildings, with some residential buildings, built between about 1828 and 1952 in a number of popular architectural styles includingLate Victorian. Located in the district and listed separately are theButler County Courthouse, theButler County National Bank, and theSen. Walter Lowrie House.
TheSenator Walter Lowrie House was the home of United States SenatorWalter Lowrie, built in 1828, and is the headquarters of the Butler County Historical Society.
Elm Court, often referred to as Phillips Mansion, is a historicTudor-Gothic mansion designed by architectBenno Janssen and built in 1929–1930 for Benjamin D. Phillips, son of T. W. Phillips, founder of T.W. Phillips Gas & Oil Co. Tucked away and hidden from view, it resides in the northeast corner of the city[28] and is privately owned by one of theKoch Brothers.[29]
Broad Street Elementary School is in the Butler City limits. It closed in 2015.[30] In 2017 Summit Township Elementary School used the Broad Street facility on a temporary basis. However, in 2021 the board of trustees voted to begin using Broad Street as a school again.[31]
Emily Brittain Elementary School is in the Butler City limits
Center Avenue School in Butler City is a K–12 alternative school for students who are differently abled; it was a traditional elementary school prior to 2015.[32]
Additionally, the school district once operated Butler Area Junior High School,[34] later Butler Middle School, which closed in 2022,[35] in Butler City.[36]
Five major highways run through or near the city, providing links to other areas throughoutWestern Pennsylvania. The south terminus ofPennsylvania Route 38 is just north of the city atU.S. Route 422. Route 422 skirts the city, to the north, on the Butler Bypass.PA 68 andPA 356 go straight through downtown, where they intersect withPA 8 (Butler's Main Street).
In 2024,The New York Times characterized the Butler area as being politically conservative.[41] That year, Mayor Bob Dandoy, aDemocrat, stated that the city limits has a higher concentration of non-Republicans compared to the surrounding county. According to Dandoy, "President Trump enjoys a lot of support here."[16]
Despite this support, in 2024,an attempted assassination of then-former presidentDonald Trump occurred at a rally near the town. He was hit and injured in the ear. The assassin, perched just outside the security perimeter, was shot and killed by aSecret Service sniper.[42] Even though the event took place outside of city limits inButler Township, the City of Butler issued a statement expressing sympathy for the death ofCorey Comperatore, a firefighter caught in the line of fire, and for the attempt on Trump's life.[43]
Scott Milanovich (born 1973), former NFL, NFL Europe, XFL, AFL, and CFL quarterback. Coached multipleCFL teams and was the head coach for theEdmonton Eskimos
^abcd"Butler County, 5th class"(PDF). Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission.Archived(PDF) from the original on December 5, 2022. RetrievedJanuary 15, 2010.
^Garrett, Kelly B. (February 4, 2011). "Pullman railcar honors past".Butler Eagle.
^"Dealer Profile". Butler County Ford.Archived from the original on August 28, 2014. RetrievedApril 28, 2014.
^"Rainbow Rubber Co 1935 Oldsmobile Coupe".WorthPoint. July 7, 2011.Archived from the original on April 29, 2014. RetrievedApril 28, 2014.This Oldsmobile Coupe was made by Rainbow Rubber Co. circa 1935. At 3 3/4 inches long by 1 3/8 inches wide, it is made of rubber... Underneath it is marked 'Rubrtoy Oldsmobile Mfg'd by Rainbow Rubber Co. Butler, PA.'
^"Station: Butler 2 SW, PA".U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. RetrievedAugust 8, 2021.
^"Zoning District Map"(PDF). Butler Township. RetrievedJuly 15, 2024.Butler Area High School[...]Intermediate school (see areas: "C, 5" and "D, 5")
^"Butler Area Schools". Butler Area School District. Archived fromthe original on April 13, 1997. RetrievedJuly 15, 2024.Broad Street Elementary 200 Broad Street Butler, PA 16001[...]Center Avenue Elementary Center & Lincoln Avenues Butler, PA 16001[...]Butler Area Junior High East North Street Butler, PA 16001 - The addresses of those two schools coincide with theCity of Butler Map. Other schools with Butler addresses are outside of the city limits.
Brown, Robert C.History of Butler County, Pennsylvania:...Pioneers and Representative Citizens, Etc., Etc. [Chicago]: R.C. Brown & Co., 1895. Chapter VI.Print.
An Historical Gazetteer of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Chicora: Mechling Bookbindery, 2006,ISBN978-0-9760563-9-3.
