Cummings Candy ~

Our still sedate coffee shop on Main Street. 

YWCA ~ Young Women's Christian Association

Across from the old bus terminal. 

Dr. Walters [Dentist] on the 1st floor. 

Gone Forever ~

Deshon VA Hospital ~

Thanks: Dennis Moffitt

Hutchinson's Dry Cleaning ~

Our excellent dry-cleaner.

Photo: Barbara Bloom

Train under the Viaduct ~

We heard the whistle blowing . . .

Thanks: Pat Gallagher

Gone Forever ~

Catty-corner to the old Majestic Theater

Penn Theater ~

Photo: Paul Johnson Jr. 

Renovation had begun, then the project was dropped. 

Norman Saleet ~ Musician

Songwriter, guitarist and actor

Norman Saleet

was born in Butler. He began playing guitar at age 15. With his brother Michael Jr. he formed the band Good Family in 1973.

Butler Ford ~

Butler County Ford 

Ford corner since 1919. 
Photo: Paul Johnston Jr. 

Flooding ~ October 15, 1954

Photo: Barbara Bloom

Korean War Memorial ~

Korea
1950 - 1953
The Forgotten War

Photo: Barbara Bloom

Atlas Hotel ~

Was close to the railroad station.

Thanks: Dave Craig

Tom Panei ~ Butler Artist BHS '87

Artwork of Tom Panei adorns our town. 

Thank you, Tom! 

Main Street Artery ~

Photo: Paul Johnson Jr. 

Mayor Margaret Stock ~ BHS '69

Mayor Maggie Stock

 brought to public office the values and wisdom she learned in our small town, and recently she shared some of that inspiration by releasing a volume of poetry inspired by Butler. 

“Life in a Small Town” contains 21 poems.

Broad Street School and War Memorial ~

Photo: Ken Cooper

First United Methodist Church ~

The First Methodist Episcopal Church was established as the head of the Butler Circuit in 1825. The congregation’s first church was built in 1827 on West Wayne. The congregation moved to its current location in 1874, with this church being built in 1904. It is now the First United Methodist Church. 

The Rev. Johnnie David Panther died on Sunday, May 26, 2013. 

He was 56.

Teachers at St. Fidelis Seminary ~

Capuchin faculty 1939-1940
Thanks: Mike Shuler

Troutman's ~ 1950s

They had everything including bicycles and electric trains.

Armco Workhorse ~

Judge John H. Brydon ~ Slippery Rock HS '48

† May 2011

Judge Brydon practiced law in Slippery Rock and Butler from 1959-82 and served as district attorney from Butler County from 1964-82. He then served as Common Pleas Judge for Butler County from 1982 until 2005.

Erich's Restaurant ~

Open for business and doing well.

Photo: Pat Gallagher

St. Fidelis Seminary

Thanks: Mike Shuler

Synagogue ~ Congregation B’nai Abraham

April 20, 2012

A memorable observance of 
Yom Hashoah-Holocaust Remembrance Day.

They hosted Holocaust survivor and former “hidden child”, Ms. Shulamit Bastacky who related her tale of survival in World War II in Poland, where she was sheltered by a righteous gentile. Her message was drawn from her own experiences.

North Main Street Residence ~

Home of John Berg on North Main Street around 1967, was just above the Butler Towers Apartments.

Photo: Dave Miller

Butler Cubs ~

Photo taken in the 1940s. 

Thanks: Elmer Macklin

Old Stone House ~

A landmark saved. 

Slippery Rock ~

We preferred the Rocks to the swimming pool.

Colonel Ike Scanlon ~

Photo and Question
Thanks: Bill May

Greetings Charles:
I wonder if you could place the attached picture of Colonel Ike Scanlon (real name was Michael Scanlon) on your blog. He was a train announcer for the B & O Railroad, but most people would remember him as selling newspapers at the corner of Main and Jefferson by the Hot Dog Shop. He left Butler in 1936 to move with his wife to Baldwin, Kansas. He was quite the well-known celebrity in Butler and even had his own orchestra "The Star Orchestra". He ran the miniature railroad at Alameda Park and was the first to sell souvenirs at the amusement park.
-- Bill May

Bill's Bargain Store ~

Thanks: Pat Gallagher

Herman, Pa. ~

View of seminary from the lake. 

Butler Jr. High School Classroom ~

Photo: Barbara Bloom

James Bashline ~ BHS '36

† 2008

Jimmy Bashline was Butler's sign painter for many years. He also created a superb model circus.

Patrick BHS '44 and Charles BHS '42 McCarren ~

† 8 September 2012

† 11 February 2013

Photos: Butler Eagle

They kept our Butler ladies in style. We would go into the store on Main Street not only to buy clothes but to spend a few moments talking to these loved and respected personalities.

New Viaduct Entrance in the Rain ~

Standing at the corner of Wayne and Main Streets.

St. Paul Church ~ Built 1911

 "Stand Fast in the Faith"

   Words over the entrance.

Sgt. Abie Abraham ~

The Young Sergeant

Thanks: U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs

Terrace Inn ~ Route 8 South

Main Street in the '60s ~

Photo: Paul D. Johnston Jr.

Butler Junior High School ~ 1913

A stately yellow brick building just across from St. Paul church. 

Marianne Cornetti ~ Knoch '81

Marianne Cornetti is a leading mezzo soprano who performs at the Met in New York, in London at the Royal Opera and Covent Garden, in Italy at the Scala and at many other international opera houses. 

Butler is especially proud of her.

About Marianne

Stopping Time ~

The caption reads: Stopping Time — Time on the landmark clock in front of the Pittsburgh National Bank building on Main Street stopped at 10:36 a.m. on August 8, 1968 when it was hit by a truck. Bank oficials said they planned to see if the 47-year-old toppled timepiece was repairable. Looking over the clock is Kandy Neudorfer of Pittsburgh National. ~ Butler Eagle

Poem about the clock

Martin Funeral Home ~

Founder: Ross Martin

since October 1, 1982

Burger Hut ~

Photo: Pat Gallagher

Grandparents, Great-Grandparents ~

BHS Class '28

Butler Scouts ~

Our good old days with the Scouts. 

Woolworth's ~

Dottie Randolph ~ Protector of our Children

Dorothy Randolph

† 12.28.2005

Dottie Randolph had about 300 youngsters crossing at her intersection at First and Brady Streets. She also worked intersections on Jefferson Street and Chestnut Street. Butler children, now grown-ups, thank her still. 

Photo: Butler Eagle