In a Cave in the Netherlands ~

Photo and Comment: Dan Roxbury

While in the Netherlands recently I visited the Velvet Cave. During WWII the cave, where I found this soldier's name, had been used as a shelter for the public and also by American Troops. Many soldiers have inscribed their names in this sandstone cave. I knew about this prior to visiting the cave and had been looking to spot where the soldiers wrote their names. The first thing I spotted was "S F Henry Butler PA". At first glance, I thought this was possibly my grandfather Henry Dottle from Butler PA. I was blown away because Butler PA is where I grew up, and I saw it written 2 more times. This was by far the highlight of my trip! I know my Grandfather was actively serving in Europe in 1945 when most of the names were written inside the cave. I will always wonder if he had been there or if he knew the other men from Butler who were. 

Two more photos

The New Comique Theater ~

The theater is the first building on the left side.
Thanks: Robert Emigh

Kellar's Grocery Store ~

Also famous for the Mail Pouch sign.

From: The Outskirts of Suburbia 

Veterans Day Parade 2014 ~

Thanks to our veterans. 

Photo: Marie Colosimo

Gas Station at the End of the Viaduct ~

Gas was cheap, less than 20 cents.
Photo: Gayle Barnett Radwanski

Kelly Automotive Park ~ Baseball ~ Pullman Park Renamed

I was really impressed by the beauty of the ballpark.

Photo and comment: Barbara Bloom
[In January 2014 the naming rights of Pullman Park were sold to Kelly Automotive of Butler.]

Main Street ~

Trees on Main Street

Photo: Butler Downtown

Patterson's Foot Lotion ~

Thanks: Georgia Nanni Tavira

BHS ~ Friday Night Football ~ 2014

                

08/29 BHS 10 [L] – Altoona - 28
09/05 BHS 31 [W] – Baldwin - 21
09/12 BHS 07 [L] - North Hills - 35
09/20 BHS 42 [W] - Shaler - 7
09/26 BHS 22 [L] - Seneca Valley - 29
10/03 BHS 00 [L] - North Allegheny - 21
10/10 BHS 10 [L] - Pine Richland - 48
10/17 BHS 00 [L] - Fox Chapel - 21
10/24 BHS 14 [L] - Central Catholic - 55

Majestic Theater ~

Not very majestic now.

Photo: Barbara Bloom

Slippery Rock Creek ~

It was dangerous but we loved to play around on the rocks.

Elm Court ~ The House We Never Saw

Benjamin D. Phillips, founder of the Phillips Gas and Oil Company, resided in this Tudor-Gothic mansion named Elm Court, one of America's most spectacular private homes. It was completed in 1931 by Benno Jannsen, a Pittsburgh architect. The mansion houses the famous Skinner Organ, Opus 783.

Beautifying Butler ~ Mural

To the left at the corner of Washington and Jefferson Street you can see St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Stoughton's Beach ~

This was a real treat for us as kids. There were cabins, too, that were for rent in the summer. 

Trader's Music Store ~ ca. 1958

Thanks: Paul D. Johnson Jr. 

click to enlarge

Pittsburgh-Butler Airport ~

Just south of Butler, off Route 8.

Butler Symphony Orchestra ~ Schedule

Current Schedule

Kittaning Street ~ Sutton Gasoline Company

Photo: Pat Gallagher

Troutman House ~ Moving Day

Photo: Carol Foster 

Greetings Charles,

I would imagine that you are aware of the "happening" in Butler this morning. Just in case you haven't seen a picture, I thought I would provide one for you. This was taken first hand, this morning as the Troutman house crawled from Main Street to the new destination on N. McKean Street.
Carol Foster

click: Picture Gallery

Lake Arthur in Fall ~

Our year-round playground.
Photo: Glenn Fulghum 

Vietnam War Memorial ~

Butler's Ultimate Sacrifice

 

Photo: Barbara Bloom

Nixon Hotel Lobby ~

Thanks: Robert Emigh

Bantam Lounge ~

Photo: Randy Fox

Worsley's ~ 87 years of service

Another regrettable closing. 

Everyone knew this storefront on Main Street. 

Photo: Barbara Bloom

Milann Ruff Daugherty ~ BHS '64

Your Affectionate Son

by Milann Ruff Daugherty

When the Milann came across a box of yellowed letters in the bottom drawer of an old dresser, she discovered not only that the letters were all written by her great-great-uncle nearly one hundred and fifty years earlier but that they were a fascinating first-hand account of the Civil War as seen through the eyes of a young soldier.

West End School 1986 ~

Thanks: Aryl Bashline

Gasoline Station ~

Gulf Station
Where Jefferson and Cunningham Streets meet.

Photo: Arnie Macko

George Troutman Residence ~

Bygone Butler architecture. 
Home of George A. Troutman
presently
The Butler City Building

Isaly's at Bon Aire Plaza ~

The Old Firehouse ~

Fire Department and Police Station
Thanks: Beau Olsen

Covenant United Presbyterian Church ~

1813-2013

The oldest church building in Butler is also the city’s oldest congregation. The congregation began formally meeting at the Butler County Courthouse on 

April 7, 1813, with its current home being built in 1862.

Photo: Georgia Sawhook

                                                         As of 2023 --- up for sale: $325,000

Eastland Diner ~ Butler - Erie

Butler Photo: Randy Flowerday

Erie Photo: Barbara Bloom

We went to Erie yesterday and located the former Eastland Diner from Butler. It is now at the entrance to Presque Isle in Erie. It is on display, and walked inside to take pictures [click here].

Center Avenue ~

Thanks: Dave Craig

William Manners~Butler Author~BHS '26

William Manners

† September 6, 1994

Editor, Biographer, Non-fiction Writer, Teacher, onetime boxer.

• Father and the Angels. New York: Dutton, 1947.
• Isn’t it a Crime? New York: Arc Books, 1947.
• One Is a Lonesome Number. New York: Dutton, 1950.
• Wake Up and Write. New York: Arc Books, 1962.
• The Barking Cat Case. New York: P. Collier, 1963.
• The Crying Schoolhouse Case. New York: P. Collier, 1963.
• The Fifty-pound Giant Case. New York: P. Collier, 1963.
• The Talking Pigeon Case. New York: P. Collier, 1963.
• One, Two, three, Go. New York: Four Winds Press, 1967.
• TR and Will: A Friendship that Split the Republican Party. New York: Harcourt, 1969
• Patience and Fortitude: Fiorello LaGuardia: A Biography. New York: Harcourt, 1976.
• The Quick and Easy Vegetarian Cookbook. (with Ruth Ann Mathers) New York: M. Evans, 1978. 

Chestnut St. Inn ~

Always liked the bartenders . . .

Photo: Barbara Bloom

Construction ~

Where Woolworth's used to be. 

Thanks: Barbara Bloom

Butler County Airport Today ~

Donald B. Carlson Sr. BHS '38

† 8 September 2010

Donald Carlson sent me some of the first pictures posted on the Butler Blog. As a tribute to him I have posted the pictures he sent me. Click the label Photographer Don Carlson below. -- Charles

After graduating from BHS Don Carlson worked as a newspaper photographer, while earning his private pilot's license. Anxious to join the service, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps on 7 July 1942. He served as a flight engineer for the 10th Weather Headquarters in the China-Burma-India Theater, flying over the Himalayan Mountains (The Hump) and throughout China, Japan and Korea. He was a member of the CBI/Hump Pilots Association and was a 50-year member of the Butler Masonic Lodge. Don served faithfully with Community Companion Volunteers, a program of Lutheran Home Services.

Bickel's Shoes ~

Thanks: Gayle Barnett Radwanski

View of Butler ~

Looking out from the Court House to the hospital.

World War II Mothers ~

Photo: Melanie Wetzel

Butler Fire Department ~ 1910

Vigilant as ever. 

Route 8 North of Butler ~ The Old Stone House

The Old Stone House

Built 1819

As children we heard frightful stories about what happened here, everything shrouded in mystery.

Charles Troutman Home ~

Home of Charles H. Troutman 

on

Main Street, 1898. 


Now
Thanks: Barbara Bloom

Oesterling & Son ~ Flour Feed Grain

Thanks: Gayle Barnett Radwanski

Don Kelly ~

Born in Butler. 

Third baseman for the Detroit Tigers.
Photo: Wikimedia