About Butler, Pennsylvania

Butler is a city and the county seat of Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. 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 Battle of the Wabash in 1791. It was first settled in 1803 by John and Samuel Cunningham and incorporated as a borough in 1817 before becoming a city in 1918. Initially settled by Irish and Scottish immigrants, Butler saw a significant influx of German settlers in the early 19th century. Detmar Basse founded Zelienople in 1803, and George Rapp established Harmony in 1805, leading to further growth and development. In the early 20th century, Butler became an industrial hub, contributing significantly to the Steel Belt manufacturing region. The city was home to the Standard Steel Car Company, which opened in 1902 and manufactured some of the first all-steel railcars. This facility later became part of Pullman-Standard. ... Read More