History of Butler, Pennsylvania, USA

1854 - Butler
Butler, a post-borough, capital of Butler county, Pennsylvania, on Conequenessing creek, 30 miles N. from Pittsburg. It is a pleasant and quiet town, having unelevated position and an extensive prospect. It contains an academy and several churches. 3 newspapers are issued here. Population, in 18-10 1148, in 1853 about 1500.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1895 - Butler
Butler, a flourishing post-borough, capital of Butler co., Pa., is in a township .# the same name, on the Comequenessing Creek, about 26 miles direct N. of Pittsburg, with which it is connected by 2 lines of railway, respectively 49 and 39 miles in length. Railway lines also connect it with the principal cities on Lake Erie. Butler has a savings bank, a national and a private bank, 10 churches, a woollen mill, a graded school, manufactures of plate glass, bottles, engines, oil-well machinery, &c. (for which its numerous wells of natural gas afford unsurpassed facilities), and 1 daily and 5 weekly newspaper offices. Pop. in 1890, 8734.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1907 - Civil War Veteran Struck by Train
Butler, Pa., March 15. - Oliver Conklin deaf and 80 years of age, a veteran of the civil war, who had one eye destroyed at Spottsylvania Court House, was run down and killed by a Baltimore & Ohio switching engine at the Center avenue crossing. Conklin's home was in Clearfield, Pa., but he was visiting his son, James Conklin here. His body was rolled to a shapeless pulp under the fender.
Indiana Evening Gazette
Indiana, Pennsylvania
March 15, 1907

1907 - FATAL EXPLOSION IN BUTLER MILLS. SEETHING METAL ENGULFS WORKMEN. FOUR MEN INSTANTLY KILLED AND MANY INJURED. HUGE METAL POT WAS UPSET.
ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN CUPOLA OF THE STANDARD STEEL CAR COMPANY'S PLANT - MEN WERE LITERALLY COOKED.

Butler, Pa., Oct. 6. - An explosion caused by the upsetting of the metal pot in the No. 1 cupola of the Standard Steel Car company here late tonight caused the death of four men, fatally injured twenty and seriously injured ten others.

Nearly all the men were foreigners.

The large wheel plant, 150 x 100 feet, was demolished, causing a loss estimated at $100,000.

The dead:
NICK DORNA, disemboweled.
NICHOLAS BLOTAR, burned to a crisp.
JOHN VERECK, skull crushed.
Unknown Man, totally dismembered.

The condition of the thirty men injured is pitiable. Although still alive the features of a majority are mutilated beyond recognition. The hot metal was showered over them, causing horrible injuries. Arms, fingers and ears were torn off, while a number of the men had their eyes burned out. Several men are in the hospital with their legs burned to a crisp.

At midnight the... Read MORE...

1916
Butler, a post-borough, capital of Butler co., Pa., on the Conequenessing Creek, 26 miles N. of Pittsburg, with which it is connected by several lines of railroad (the Penn sylvania, the Pittsburg and Western, etc.). Butler has woollen- and silk-mills and manufactures of plate-glass, bottles, engines, steel cars, oil-well machinery, etc. Oil, natural gas, coal, and iron are found in the vicinity. Pop. in 1890, 8734; in 1900, 10,853.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1925 - LIGHTNING KILLS FARMER
Butler, June 4. - Chester Curry, a farmer, was killed by lightning late Wednesday. Fire resulting from lightning destroyed a 5000 barrel steel oil tank with an estimated loss of $25.000.
The Gettysburg Times
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
June 4, 1925

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in and around Butler:
Little Red Schoolhouse: Begin your exploration of Butler's history by visiting the Little Red Schoolhouse. This one-room schoolhouse, built in 1873, has been meticulously preserved to provide insight into 19th-century education.

Butler County Historical Society: For a deeper dive into the town's history, check out the Butler County Historical Society. It houses a diverse collection of artifacts, documents, and photographs that tell the story of Butler and its surrounding region.

Maridon Museum: Explore the Maridon Museum, an exceptional institution showcasing Asian art and culture. The museum's collection includes sculptures, paintings, and other beautiful pieces from China and Japan.

Pioneer Flats: Visit Pioneer Flats, a historic park that offers a glimpse into early American life. You can wander through log cabins, a blacksmith shop, and a one-room schoolhouse, experiencing the past firsthand.

Alameda Park: Spend a leisurely day at Alameda Park. This beautiful park... Read MORE...