JEFFERSON TWP — South Butler School District's local history course almost didn't make it into the district's 2013-14 curriculum, but it wasn't for lack of interest.

“We've never had this many electives before,” said Brad Pflugh, sociology department chairman, explaining that 77 high school students, about 10 percent of the student body, have signed up for the class this semester. “There's a little bit of nervousness. How many periods do we all have to teach?”

The sociology department offers classes on local history, the Civil War, world religions, civil and criminal law, sociology and psychology.

At the same time, Pflugh said he's grateful the district's push toward the Keystone Exam subjects of algebra, biology and English hasn't diminished its liberal arts offerings.

“Everybody's worried about these test scores,” he said.

Pflugh, a Civil War aficionado, is also on the board of the Butler County Historical Society and has written two books, including one on the Civil War. The other is about Sam Mohawk, the first man hanged in Butler County in the 1840s after he massacred the Wigton family.

Several instructors teach the local history course and each emphasizes his own expertise. But Pflugh said all the classes share some areas of study.

“No matter who teaches, students will receive a basic grasp of what's going on in the county,” Pflugh said.

“Where are the townships? Where are the boroughs? Where are the local governments?

“There were only a handful of townships initially,” he added. “(Mapping) provides a grasp of where you are and what's going on.”

Butler County now has 33 townships.

There are also “famous characters” Pflugh wants students to know about. They include Andrew Butler, the Revolutionary War general that gave the county its name; John Roebling, Saxonburg's inventor of wire rope who designed both the Smithfield Street Bridge in Pittsburgh and the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City; Jacob Ziegler, who started the newspaper business here; and Walter Lowrie, Butler County's only U.S. senator.

Third, Pflugh focuses on Butler County's historic landmarks.

“Most people don't know the gems we have here,” he said, naming the Cooper Cabin near Cabot, the Saxonburg Heritage area in Saxonburg, the Old Stone House near Slippery Rock, the Little Red Schoolhouse in Butler, the Harmonite Cemetery in Harmony and the North Country Trail traveled by George Washington that parallels Route 528.

Pflugh also believes a look at local history must include a review of the ways Butler County has changed over time.

“I'm 42 and I remember when there was nothing (in Cranberry Township),” Pflugh said.

At the same time, other communities have declined, such as Greece City, Parker and Chicora, he said.

“What you're seeing now might develop or go the other way,” he said.

Pflugh also believes the histories of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are important.

“We're affected by the growth of Allegheny County; people who want to work in Pittsburgh, but don't want to live there.”

And then there are what Pflugh calls the “game changers.” Those are big events that define the county.

Among them are the shot taken at George Washington on the North Country Trail, near the Native American village called “Murdering Town”; the Biddle brothers' escape from Allegheny County Jail and their death near Moraine State Park; and the county's patriotic spirit, which led more than 3,000 men to enlist for service during the Civil War.

“We have a lot of things right here that are unique,” Pflugh said.

For more information on local history, Pflugh recommends visiting the historical society (call ahead) in person or online. The society's website, www.butlerhistory.com, includes access to PAGenWeb, which links to detailed local records on many subjects.