Butler, Pennsylvania
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| Butler, Pennsylvania | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country |  United States |
| Commonwealth |  Pennsylvania |
| County | Butler County |
| Founded | 1802 |
| Incorporated (borough) | 1816 |
| Incorporated (city) | 1918 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Margaret "Maggie" Stock |
| Area | |
| - Total | 2.7 sq mi (7.0 km²) |
| - Land | 2.7 sq mi (7.0 km²) |
| Population (U.S. Census Estimate, 2000) | |
| - Total | 15,121 |
| - Density | 5,611.3/sq mi (2,170.4/km²) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Website: Butler County | |
Butler is a city in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 15,121 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Butler County.[1]
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[edit] History
The city was named for Maj. Gen. Richard Butler, who fell at the Battle of the Wabash, also known as St. Clair's Defeat, in western Ohio in 1791. The first settlers were of Irish or Scottish descent and were driving westward from Connecticut. In 1802 the German immigrants began arriving, with Detmar Basse settling in Jackson Township in 1802 and founding Zelienople the following year. After George Rapp arrived in 1805 and founded Harmony, larger numbers of settlers followed. John A. Roebling settled Saxonburg in 1832, by which time all counties were filled with German settlers.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.7 square miles (7.0 km²), all of it land.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 15,121 people, 6,740 households, and 3,626 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,611.3 people per square mile (2,170.4/km²). There were 7,402 housing units at an average density of 2,746.8/sq mi (1,062.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.52% White, 2.22% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.42% 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.
[edit] Economy
Major employers
[edit] Claims to Fame
- The modern Jeep was invented in Butler, by the American Bantam Car Company, an early producer of small fuel-efficient vehicles. Big military contracts eventually went to Willys and Ford, and the Bantam factory failed during World War II.
- Cult classic Night of the Living Dead was filmed in Butler County, in Evans City. Butler is referenced in the movie when the city's name appears on a television set.
- In the 1950s, Butler became one of the first cities to install bells at crosswalks, a common practice today.
- For those interested in the paranormal, Butler is also home to a famous Haunted Cemetery known as Snyder's Cemetery.
- The first all steel rail car was manufactured at the Pullman Standard plant in Butler.
- The Connoquenessing Creek, which was ranked the second most polluted waterway in the United States in 2000, flows through the city.
[edit] Notable natives and residents
- Diamond Jim Brady, the legendary financier, gourmand and gemophile, got his start in 1902 when he established the Standard Steel Car Company, which merged with the Pullman Palace Car Company in 1934 to create Pullman Standard, a monopoly that was eventually broken by the government. The site is now occupied by a strip mall.
- Stewart O'Nan's prizewinning novel Snow Angels is set in Butler.
- Josie Carey, the host of "The Children's Corner" on WQED in Pittsburgh, was one of the first employees of the station, which was the first community-sponsored public TV station. Fred Rogers was a puppeteer and musician on her show for seven years before creating Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Ms. Carey was born and raised in Butler.
- Former US Senator Rick Santorum spent his formative years in Butler.
- World record setting swimmer and Armco CEO Harry Holiday was born and raised in Butler.
- Wrestler Big John Studd was born and raised in Butler.
- Jazz trombonist and arranger Jim Pugh was born and raised in Butler.
- French horn player William Purvis was born and raised in Butler.
- Actor Fred McCarren (1951-2006) was born and raised in Butler.
- Tony award winning actress Michele Pawk was born and raised in Butler.
- Bret Michaels, the lead singer of Poison, was born in Butler and raised in nearby Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
- William J. Perry, former Secretary of Defense under Bill Clinton (1994-97), born in Vandergrift, PA graduated from Butler High School in 1945.
- Terry Hanratty, an All-American quarterback from Notre Dame who won the National Championship in 1966 and went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 1970s as a back-up, was born in Butler, PA in 1948.
- The Saul brothers, a trio of professional football players during the 60's and 70's, were born and raised in Butler - Bill played linebacker for the Colts, Steelers, Saints and Lions; Richard played for the Los Angeles Rams; and Ronald played for the Washington Redskins.
- Paul Posluzny, Buffalo Bills linebacker and All American Penn State University linebacker was born in Butler.
- Barbara Feldon, actress who played Agent 99 on the television series Get Smart was born in Butler.[citation needed]
- Home and birthplace of heavyweight boxer Brian Minto.
- Birthplace of San Diego Padres shortstop Khalil Greene.
- Hometown of Saint Louis Cardinals pitcher Matt Clement.
- Hometown of Judge William G. Bassler, formerly of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
- Bataan Death March Survivor Sgt. Abie Abraham was born in Lyndora (which is a CDP of Butler Township). He now resides in Renfrew, Pennsylvania.
- Hometown of Eric Namesnik, Olympic swimmer.
[edit] Sites of interest
- Butler County Courthouse is a government and judicial building located in the heart of the city. The structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- The Maridon Museum [1], located in downtown Butler, is the only museum in the Western Pennsylvania region with a specific focus on Chinese and Japanese art and culture.
- Pullman Park was used for minor league baseball for twenty years until the Pittsburgh Pirates farm team left in 1951. The ballpark saw many famous faces during its professional baseball days, including Lou Gehrig, Whitey Ford, and Joe DiMaggio who played for a farm team of the New York Yankees.
- Sen. Walter Lowrie House was the home of United States Senator Walter Lowrie. It is currently maintained as a museum, and is the headquarters of the Butler County Historical Society. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places.
[edit] Sports
| Team | Sport | League | Championships | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler High School Golden Tornadoes | Baseball | WPIAL | Pullman Park | |
| Butler High School Golden Tornadoes | Football | WPIAL | Art Bernardi Stadium |
[edit] Neighborhoods
- Homeacre-Lyndora
- Institute Hill
- Southside
- West End
[edit] Education
- Butler Area School District
- Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School
- Butler County Community College (Pennsylvania)
[edit] Culture
Though Butler is a small city, it does have a vast array of art and culture. Live performances such as musicals and plays are done at the historic Butler Little Theatre which has been running productions since 1941. Plus, the Penn Theater along Main Street is currently undergoing a renovation that will help attract people to Butler.
Butler is also home to the Butler County Symphony Association which performs at Butler High School's auditorium. There are also many art groups located in the city. They include the Associated Artists of Butler County and the Butler Arts Council.
[edit] Transportation
- Airports
There are two airports located outside the city. Butler County Airport is used for general aviation, and can accommodate large aircraft such as corporate jets. Butler Farm Show Airport is used by pilots with smaller, private aircraft in the Butler area.
- Roads
There are five major highways that run through, or near the city that provide links to other areas throughout Western Pennsylvania. The south terminus of PA 38 terminates just north of the city at U.S. Route 422. PA 68, and PA 356 go straight through downtown where they intersect with PA 8. PA 8 is Butler's Main Street when passing through the city.
- Railroads
There are currently two railroads that have service in Butler. Both railways are freight haulers. The Canadian National Railway's (formerly the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad) main line passes through the city, while the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad provides regional service in the area. The B&P has a large locomotive shop located just outside the city limits.
[edit] Media
[edit] References
- ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
- Butler, Pennsylvania is at coordinates Coordinates:
- Butler Area Public Library
- Butler Area School District
- 1883 History of Butler County
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