Butler, Pennsylvania
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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 CountyGR6.
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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, the trickle of settlers grew tremendous numbers. John A. Roebling settled Saxonburg in 1832, by which time all counties were filled with German settlers.
[edit] Geography
Butler is located at (40.860679, -79.894796)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.0 km² (2.7 mi²), all land.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 15,121 people, 6,740 households, and 3,626 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,170.4/km² (5,611.3/mi²). There were 7,402 housing units at an average density of 1,062.4/km² (2,746.8/mi²). 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] Claims to Fame
- 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.
- 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.
- George Rapp established his first utopian community in nearby Harmony, Pennsylvania.
- 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.
- Cult classic Night of the Living Dead was filmed in Butler county, in Evans City.
- An abandoned limestone mine near the town serves as highly secure storage for both Corbis, the stock photography company founded by Bill Gates and the US Federal Government. Another local abandoned mine is the site of the world's largest mushroom farm.
- In the 1950's, Butler became one of the first towns 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.
- Former US Senator Rick Santorum spent his formative years 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, PA
- Bret Michaels, the lead singer of Poison, was born in Butler but raised in Mechanicsburg.
- William J. Perry, former Secretary of Defense under Bill Clinton(1994-97), though 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 1970's 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, All American Penn State University line backer was born in Butler.
- Barbara Feldon, actress who played Agent 99 on the television series "Get Smart" was born in Butler.
- Home and birthplace heavyweight boxer Brian Minto.
- Hometown of San Diego Padres shortstop Khalil Greene.
- Hometown of Boston Red Sox pitcher Matt Clement.
- Hometown of Judge William G. Bassler, formerly of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
- The supposedly first shot of the French and Indian War happened near present-day Evans City when a Native American fired at George Washington and Christopher Gist while they were returning from their trek at Fort Le Boeuf.
[edit] Media
[edit] External links
Wikisource has an original article from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica about:- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
- Butler Area Public Library
- Butler Area School District
- 1883 History of Butler County
Butler County, Pennsylvania
County Seat: ButlerCities Butler
Boroughs Bruin | Callery | Cherry Valley | Chicora | Connoquenessing | East Butler | Eau Claire | Evans City | Fairview | Harmony | Harrisville | Karns City | Mars | Petrolia | Portersville | Prospect | Saxonburg | Seven Fields | Slippery Rock | Valencia | West Liberty | West Sunbury | Zelienople
Townships Adams | Allegheny | Brady | Buffalo | Butler | Center | Cherry | Clay | Clearfield | Clinton | Concord | Connoquenessing | Cranberry | Donegal | Fairview | Forward | Franklin | Jackson | Jefferson | Lancaster | Marion | Mercer | Middlesex | Muddy Creek | Oakland | Parker | Penn | Slippery Rock | Summit | Venango | Washington | Winfield | Worth
Communities and CDPs Fernway | Fox Run | Homeacre-Lyndora | Meadowood | Meridian | Nixon | Oak Hills | Shanor-Northvue
- Maps and aerial photos
