Once called Springdale, the South Side of Butler, just over the Wayne Street Viaduct, owes its development to W.S. Boyd.

Dave Allen, a freelance historian, has pieced together newspaper articles and other reference materials in an attempt to document Boyd's work and the history of Butler's South Side.

His findings indicate Boyd came to Butler, worked as a carpenter and later opened a storefront on Diamond Street, where he sold patent medicine.

In a Butler history book written in 1895, Boyd is listed among "pioneer merchants."

"He first commenced business as a druggist on the Diamond, but early in the 40s started a dry goods store on the corner of Jefferson and Main streets; he carried on for a quarter of a century.

"He erected the first three-story brick block in Butler, laid out Springdale, and possessed commendable enterprise and public spirit," cited the passage.

His list of enterprises included three hotels and several houses and storefronts.

Boyd purchased the Springdale area in 1835, which he laid out to include his own home, homes for other families, storefronts and a community building. He also constructed a bridge over Connoquenessing Creek, linking Springdale with East Jefferson Street.

Newspapers at the time cited him as generous, providing flexible loans to widows and other home buyers in Springdale. "I describe him as a man of temperance with love of family, community and a man of vision," said Allen.

By the 1870s, the Springdale area, and notably Center Avenue, was a bustling community, rivaling Butler's Main Street. It was then that the borough of Butler annexed the area, which had been a part of Butler Township.

Boyd died Sept. 8, 1884. His obituary, printed in the Democratic Herald, described him by his ambition.

"Suffice it to say, that the deceased was one of the most active, energetic and persevering businessmen Butler ever had."