At first glance, East Butler looks like any other small Pennsylvania borough. But behind its quiet streets lies nearly a century of history shaped not by single events, but by the steady rhythm of community life.

After the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, the land that would become East Butler was opened for settlers. Veterans, along with Scotch-Irish and German immigrants, began building the foundation for the state we know today.

To compensate soldiers returning from war, the Pennsylvania legislature established depreciation lands for settling. This opened up opportunities for soldiers such as Thomas McKee, who relocated from Mifflin County to the area that would later become East Butler in 1796.

At the time of McKee’s arrival, much of the land was still wilderness, dense forests and tangled underbrush. Black bears roamed the area.

This land needed to be cleared and made livable. It required hard work and dedication if settlers like McKee were going prosper and survive.

According to History of Butler County Pennsylvania 1895, trees had to chopped down as settlers gathered resources to build homes. This meant weeks of backbreaking labor. Trunks needed to be hauled away, stumps wrestled from the grip of the earth. This was not easy work and not everyone who set out to build settlements survived.

Later, lands needed to be tilled so farmers could grow crops of corn, wheat and oats. These crops were not only essential as food for the settlers, they also opened up trading opportunities between settlers. While some were able to sell quantities of their crop, many were subsistence farmers who produced just enough for their families.

Farmers keeping livestock would make the trek south to Pittsburgh to buy, sell or trade with other farmers in various markets.

Hunting and trapping was also important for early settlers, not only was it a source of food, but also opened up trading opportunities.

As oil began to enrich the area starting in 1859, the Butler Oil Co. was established in 1860. This was only the early days of oil drilling, however, as many attempts were halted by the lack of proper equipment and in, some cases, lack of knowledge of the geological area.

By the 1870s, “oil towns” began to sprout up around Western Pennsylvania. Towns such as, Petrol, Karns City, and Millerstown became hubs for business activity. Oil attracted the likes of capitalists, speculators, and laborers.

While preserved in history today, the oil boom eventually faded due to issues such as over production. Additionally, the shift from oil to natural gas had huge impact. Those interested in the history of the county’s oil heritage have to go no further than McConnells Mill State Park, where a restored oil well is on display.

Like with much of Western Pennsylvania, the growth and future success of the area is strongly linked to the industrial expansion that took place in the latter half of the 19th century.

The boom of oil and natural gas of the 1860s helped the communities of Butler County to grow both economically and in terms of population.

While the steel industry is strongly linked to the history of Pittsburgh, steel and iron production is also part of the history of Butler County. By the late 1800s Butler County was home to small foundries and machine shops, producing tools and building materials.

In 1902, the Standard Steel Car Co. was founded, this was a turning point in the economic growth of the county.

As a one of the nation’s largest producers of railroad freight cars, the company employed thousands of workers. This made the area a lucrative place for people to move to, growing the population. Workers needed homes, their children needed schools, and residents would need stores to shop in.

Glass factories began producing bottles and windows that went on to be sold in Pittsburgh markets. Smaller glasshouses also began spreading across the area, often run by immigrant craftsmen. Some more notable factories could be found in places like Karns City, where Standard Plate Glass Co. was founded in the 1880s.

In the early 1900s, factories from surrounding regions began relocating to the Butler County area because of the abundance of natural gas. These factories also saw the immense benefit of Butler’s railroad network — their products could be shipped faster and farther than before.

By the turn of the 20th century, glass making was one of the largest employers in Butler County. But, as with many industries, it started to show decline in the following years creating an economic vacuum that hurt the area for some time.

East Butler was officially established in 1927.

According to the book “Physical Features: A History of Butler County Pennsylvania,“ population and economic growth of the area because of industrial expansion led to the establishment of its own local government. While East Butler wasn’t formally recognized on its own until the early 20th century, the area played a significant role in terms of residential growth.

Known as a working-class area, many of East Butler’s residents worked in the steel mills, railcar factories and glass works of Butler County. The area offered residents modest homes for families, built to accommodate the influx of workers who came to benefit from the various industries powering the area, the book says.

The borough, 1 square mile, worked on community infrastructure, installing roads and street lamps, as well as the establishment of volunteer fire companies.

Churches served as the community social centers, and often reflected the borough’s growing immigrant diversity. Families came together, looked out for each other, and respected the heritage they brought with them.

By the late 20th century, the deindustrialization of the area lead to a steady decline in jobs. Some residents needed to travel further for work, which was an economic hit to families. Many others faced unemployment altogether.

Stores were boarding up and factories were closing their doors. Economic turmoil rocked the area, with once vibrant and busy neighborhoods quieting down. Without the influx of economic growth, some places fell into disrepair. In other cases, families picked up and moved closer to where the jobs were being offered.

This period in East Butler’s history brought significant challenges, but through community institutions like families, churches, and significant appreciation for cultural heritage of the area, the community was able to persevere.

East Butler has quietly evolved from dense wilderness to a vibrant working-class borough. While its history isn’t defined by a single dramatic event, that doesn’t take away the importance and the struggle of those who helped to shape the community into what it is today.

East Butler had 764 residents, according to the U.S. Census in 2020 and has 748 today, according to borough officials and remains a close-knit residential borough with a variety of small businesses and manufacturers.