Saturday was moving day in Butler, but it was anything but a normal moving day. Hundreds of people lined the lower end of the North Main Street hill as the 120-year-old former Troutman house was gently moved to a new location on the corner of North McKean and East Penn streets.

The simple sign held by spectator Rue Snider said it all, "Thank you Armstrong and the Simons."

Thanks are certainly deserving for the Armstrong cable company for cooperating with Lynne and Ray Simon, of Allison Park, to allow the house move to happen.

It would have been just as easy, in fact easier, for Armstrong to have had the house demolished to make way for expanded parking. It's to the company's credit that Armstrong was willing to delay its plans for the property for about a year as it worked with the Simons to iron out details of the nominal, $1 purchase and massive house-moving project to relocate the 400-ton brick Italianate down the street and around the corner. Providing the property by essentially swapping an existing parking lot for a new one allowed the house to relocate to its North McKean Street location. In helping to make all that happen, Armstrong demonstrated an extraordinary degree of flexibility, cooperation and good corporate citizenship.

Even without Snider's sign, Armstrong and its management had to know that many people in the community appreciate their cooperation in allowing the house to be saved from the wrecking ball.

Many of the spectators on Saturday commented about the historical significance of the handsome brick home. Many more agreed that this house has long been one of their favorites, and a pleasure to look at when driving up or down North Main Street Hill. The trim detail under the soffit and above the window frames, in addition to classic solarium, were features that set the Troutman house apart from the many other attractive older homes in Butler.

Clearly, Armstrong's contribution is tremendous. But no less than those of Lynne and Ray Simon who stepped forward to save the historic house after news broke that it was slated for demolition. The planning and expense involved in moving the house would have been an insurmountable obstacle to most other people. Many of the spectators watching the move Saturday morning expressed their thanks to the Simons for their efforts in saving a Butler landmark.

No doubt there is considerable work ahead for the Simons, even after a new foundation is built and the house is lowered onto it. As with any house of this vintage, there will likely be some renovation work and updating required before the Simons can move in.

Saturday's house move creates a win-win-win situation.

When it's all done, the Simons will have found what they were looking for when they began their search for a new home — a classic old brick Victorian.

Maybe they will tell their friends in the North Hills about the nice older homes in Butler. Butler's stock of beautiful older homes is a community asset that needs to be preserved.

The move will give Armstrong an expanded and contiguous parking lot, south of its Main Street facility.

And Butler can appreciate the preservation of another Victorian-era home to join the others on North McKean Street and throughout the Institute Hill neighborhood, as well as in other parts of the city.

Saturday's big move was not just a crowd pleaser — it was a win for the city, for Armstrong and for the Simons.