HISTORIC: The city of Butler was founded in 1841, but not named Butler until the time of the Civil War, in 1866. The city’s prosperity was mostly due to the railroad industry. The current population of Butler according to the U.S. Census Bureau of 2003 is 2,726. Built during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Italianate and Arts & Crafts styles influence many of Butler’s commercial structures. The district was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. The Downtown Butler Historic District encompasses most of the town’s historic commercial resources. Main Street Butler is a not-for profit organization established to revitalize and maintain the traditional downtown district by developing public-private partnerships with community leaders, citizens, volunteers, and supporters of the City of Butler.

CITY AMENITIES: There are many recreational activities available in Butler. Maxton Park, Mason Park, Hathaway Park, and Southside Park include playgrounds and programs for baseball, softball, and football. Recently, a new paintball park has been added. For the youth of the Butler area, the Filling Station Youth Center is located in Butler. It offers a BMX bike course, basketball, roller skating, billiards, volleyball, foosball, air-hockey, ski-ball, board games and pinball.

The Heartland Festival has been held every summer for years. It is generally held the second Friday and Saturday of July. It includes events such as the Engine and Tractor Show, Kids Fun Day, the Annual Cruise-In Car Show.

Butler is part of the DeKalb County Eastern School District. Elementary students attend the new Butler Elementary School. Junior High and High School students attend Eastside High School. Butler’s Public Library offers a variety of programs for children and adults.

GOVERNMENT and INDUSTRY: The mayor is the head of the city, with city council members meeting the first and third Mondays of each month. The Police Chief heads a Police Department of seven officers and seven reserve officers. The Butler Fire Department provides protection for several local townships. It is directed by the Fire Chief, who commands an all-volunteer fire department of twenty five firemen and five reserve firemen.

Butler is located on US 6, 15 miles east of Interstate 69 and minutes from Ohio. Norfolk and Southern Railroad services the Butler area. Water, sewage, and electric are provided through the City of Butler and Northern Indiana Fuel and Light is the natural Gas provider.

The Butler Industrial Corridor is located just southwest of the city limits. Industry in the Butler area includes Steel Dynamics, Paragon Steel, Heidtman Steel, New Millennium Products, Therma-Tru, Magic Coil, Noble Processing, Air Products, and several other industries.

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