Robert McClung, Author ~ BHS '34

† June, 2006

Robert M. McClung was born in Butler, he was a graduate of Butler High School. His first book, "Wings in the Woods," a fictionalized version of his summers on this grandfather's farm, was published in 1948. He received a master's degree at Cornell University and began his dream job by working at the Bronx Zoo in New York. In 1955, he left the zoo, where he was curator of mammals and birds, to devote to his writing. In 1958, he moved to Washington, D.C., as a natural history writer and editor for the National Geographic. In 1962, he moved to Amherst to devote his time to the writing of his own books. He published 66 books, including "Green Darner," "The Story of a Dragonfly;" and "Bufo, the Story of a Toad."

Inseeing ~ Some Strange Photos of Butler

On a recent visit home I walked around and made these rather strange photos.

Greetings to fellow Butlerites,

Charles
Strange photos

Catholic Daughters of America -

CDofA Marching Band
ca. 1945

Harvey Trader ~ Butler's Music Store

As it was back in the 40s and 50s. Located on East North Street. A delightful store.

Beautiful Butler Home ~

Thompson Residence ~ Belmont Road

Butler Public Library ~

The new Butler Public Library.

Butler Cub Scout ~

Signed by the Cubmaster: Paul F. Dugan

Our Town Landmark ~

Our forefathers conceived of this. We take pride in it.

East Jefferson Street ~

This was once a highly frequented Butler establishment.

Hill United Presbyterian Church

A dignified structure at the corner of Brady and Second Streets.

Institute Hill School ~

Built 1901 at the corner of Eau Claire and First Streets. Today it is a professional medical building.

Our Old Main Street Viaduct ~ Gone

We fancied the straight thrust of Main Street from the northern hill to the southern, right through the center of town.

Seen on a Boxcar ~

Main Street Clock

1947

... It was in our very center
in those days
when uptown was where
all our paths crossed.
From: The Butler Pennsylvania Poems

Goodbye Army-Navy Store

On Jefferson Street, one block down from Main Street.
Photo: Tom Menchyk

Remembering Butler's Streets

[Click on the map to enlarge it.]
Poem about Butler Streets

Butler Woman ~

She would come every day

to visit her son, thirty-seven now,

who had been sent

to the County Prison

for murder.

I am only doing

what a mother does, she said.

At night she would dream

she had seen him

coming home from school

with books under his arm,

smiling, waving to her

standing at her kitchen window,

waiting.


from: The Butler Pennsylvania Poems 

Bill Morgan's First Diner ~

The the corner of Jefferson and Washington Streets.

Institute Hill Mustangs ~ 1950

The Mustangs won the championship in 1950 defeating the Penn Street Cardinals.
Ed Eicholtz, Wayne Anthony, Nick Newcaster, Dan Murphy, Dick Smith, Diantonio, Dom Monteleone, Mike Newcaster, Ken Mills, Dan Coyle, Lanny Pride, Jack Lokhaiser, Bill Saul, Dale Stetzer, Dick Haron, Charles Leitem, Ray Natili, John Houston and Coach Ed Pickett.

[Photo thanks to Michael Newcaster]

McConnell's Mill ~

A local beauty spot near Butler on the Slippery Rock Creek.

Butler Area Senior High School

The new High School was built in the early 1960s.

This area was known as Fairground Hill.

Deshon VA Hospital ~

During W.W.II soldiers who had suffered hearing loss were treated here. Butler is proud of its service to the military.

The Butler Farm Show ~

A Summer Highlight

J.F.K in Butler, 1960

J.F.Kennedy [podium] and Lyndon Johnson [right] campaigning in Butler in 1960 in front of the Court House.

Butler Police Officer Eugene Heath

is standing to the left just above the Pa. State Trooper [center]

in charge of controlling the crowd.
JFK stayed at the Willard Hotel while campaining in Butler. He walked, escorted to the this location.

[Picture thanks Mary (Heath) Gordon]

Snapshot of Butler, Sept. 2006

Downtown Butler Today without Woolworth's. 

Corner of Cunningham and Main Streets looking over to the steeple of St. Paul's Church. 
Woolworth's is no longer.

Butler Library Activities

From the Butler Eagle, July 5, 1939

[Click on the picture to make it somewhat larger.]

Brian Minto ~ Butler's Prized Prizefighter

Brian “The Beast” Minto, now 38-7, Butler's Prized Boxer, keeps on winning! Brian boxed and played football in Butler High School, went to college on football scholarship and soon returned to boxing. He had 25 amateur fights and was the 2000 Golden Gloves winner.

Update

Butler Architecture ~ T. W. Philips Gas & Oil Co.

An aesthetic pleasure every time you pass by.

Poem about this building

Megan Peth ~ BHS '06 ~ A Girl We Remember

Megan Marie Peth 

†2006

Megan was a freshman at IUP, where she was studying nuclear medicine. She was a 2006 graduate of Butler High School and had been a member of the BHS Golden Tornado Marching Band. She also ran track at BHS. Megan was 19.

Her presence among us enriched so many lives.

The New Jr. High School

New Junior High School as seen from McKean Street.

Old Butler Hospital ~

 The old Butler hospital at the end of the Main Street viaduct.

BHS Football 2006 ~ 3 Wins ~ 6 Losses

BHS 26 [W] Kiski Area 0

BHS 07 [L] Norwin 20

BHS 23 [W] Fox Chapel 0

BHS 29 [L] Bethel Park 35

BHS 07 [L] Erie McDowell 20

BHS 16 [L] Shaler 21

BHS 07 [L] North Hills 42

BHS 17 [L]t North Allegheny 31

BHS 14 [W] Seneca Valley 0

A Butler Personality ~ Hart Graham

Friendly and kind. And what a memory.

The Old YMCA

A favorite spot for us kids.

Congratulations ~ Bruce Fratto BHS '78

Bruce wrote saying: "I had a bit of good fortune this past year. Out of 12,000 images from 13 pro's they chose my shot as the "Offical Poster of the 2006 Kentucky Derby". The winning shot has Barbaro with all 4's in the air, the jockey pumping his hand for the win along with the grandstand and famous spires in the background."

Kirpatrick's ~ For all our Sporting Needs

Loved the smell of leather and the Louisville Slugger bats, the quality fishing equipment, the fine baseball hats.

Merry-Go-Round ~ Stoughton's Beach

After leaving Alameda Park this carousel we loved went to Stoughton's Beach and after that it was on display at the Smithsonian in D.C. for about seven years and before it was moved to its present location, Old Tucson Studios in Arizona.

Our Children's Guardian ~

During her nearly 40 years as a school crossing guard, Doris Mary Riddle [† Sept 2006] helped thousands of children in the Butler area make it safely to school. She started working as a school crossing guard in 1950 and was assigned to Monroe Street, where she helped St. Paul School pupils cross the street.
In later years, she was assigned to a Mercer Street post to cross Broad Street elementary pupils. But the majority of her career -- nearly 30 years -- was spent at a post on New Castle Street helping West End Elementary School pupils.

We thank you, Doris.

Cummings Candy & Coffee Shop ~

Don't miss this when in town.

Troutman's Department Store

It was our shopping paradise.

Minor-League Baseball in Butler

Pullman Park City officials are hoping to again attract minor-league baseball to Butler. The city wants to spend about $5 million, about half of that from city coffers, to restore Pullman Park.
From 1935 until 1951, the ballpark housed a minor-league team affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the New York Yankees and several other teams. Mayor Maggie Stock said the city will try to find a marquee team to put in the park. (AP)

Our Old Junior High School ~ 1955

It was a handsome yellow brick school building with a pillared entrance.

Poem

Butler's Sculptor in Metal ~ Bill Secunda

Bill Secunda has become a prominent American metal sculptor. His works can be seen in museums, zoos, racetracks, a senator's office, or wandering across someone’s back yard, the possibilities are endless. 

From Our Little Theater to Louisville as Reporter for Wave3TV

Congratulations !

James Zambroski receiving the Emmy for Reporting

James Zambroski

Butler's Born Actor ~ Frederick West McCarren ~ BHS '69

✝ 2006

Fred McCarren was one of the brightest stars on Butler High School's stage. We remember him in My Fair Lady, Once Upon a Mattress, Little Me and other excellent productions.
Thank you, Fred, for your unforgettable stage presence and the delight you gave us.

We fell for you!

Welcome Visitor to Butler ~ The Bald Eagle

The Pennsylvania Game Commission reports that there are two active Bald Eagle nests in Butler County.
Greetings to you, High Flyers !

Stoughton's Beach ~ We Loved It

One of the best treats we had as kids was when we'd pack into the car and head up Route 8 to Stoughton's Beach.

Butler's Television Star ~ Josie Carey

† 2004
One of Butler's stars in the world of television was Josie Carey. Some Butlerites still know her as Josephine Vicari. She hosted WQED's long running Children's Corner and her name was immortalized for millions of children as that of Fred Rogers' puppet, Daniel Striped Tiger. She wrote lyrics for 68 songs for her show. Butler and Pittsburg cannot forget Josie Carey.