Butler, Pennsylvania
Butler, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
View of Butler from the Southside neighborhood | |
Location of Butler in Butler County, Pennsylvania. | |
| Coordinates: 40°51′40″N 79°53′43″W / 40.86111°N 79.89528°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Butler |
| Settled | 1793 |
| Incorporated (borough) | 1816 |
| Incorporated (city); | 1918 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| • Mayor | Bob Dandoy |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.72 sq mi (7.04 km2) |
| • Land | 2.72 sq mi (7.04 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 13,502 |
| • Density | 4,965.80/sq mi (1,917.47/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 16001–16003 |
| Area code(s) | 724, 878 |
| FIPS code | 42-10464 |
| Website | cityofbutler |
Butler is a city in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is 35 miles (56 km) north of Pittsburgh and part of the Greater Pittsburgh region. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,502.
Butler is named after Major General Richard Butler, who died in the 1791 Battle 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 the Steel Belt manufacturing region as home to the Standard Steel Car Company, which produced early all-steel railcars, and the American Bantam Car Company, known for developing the original Willys Jeep.
The Butler Area Public Library, built in 1921, was Pennsylvania's last Carnegie library. The city also hosts the Butler Little Theatre, active since 1941, and notable sites such as the Butler County Courthouse and Butler 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 including Cleveland-Cliffs, Butler Area School District, and VA Butler Healthcare.
Butler gained international attention in July 2024 after the assassination attempt against Donald Trump at the Butler Farm Show Grounds in nearby Connoquenessing Township.