And cities and communities have souls as much as individuals have. A city's soul is the composite soul of the men, women and children who by living together in one place constitute a community. Butler has a vital, pulsing soul; its people are noted for "their hospitality, their courtesy, their cooperation in good works." So says the Butler Citizen in an article published in 1919.

Now, in the year 2000, Butler County celebrates two hundred years of progress. Two hundred years of determination. Two hundred years of being a community. And during that time, changes more radical than even the most astute Revolutionary War soldier could have imagined have taken place. Butler County has truly come into its own, providing leadership to those communities around us and setting a precedent for excellence in Pennsylvania.

Surely, our namesake, General Richard Butler, would be proud. Even though the General never set foot in the county that bears his name, he was admired as a leader among soldiers and among men and his courage and industry indeed make it fitting that this county bear his name.

General Butler was to be properly recognized in the County Courthouse and when construction of the original courthouse was complete, visitors marveled at the statue which greeted them. Unfortunately, when the courthouse burned to the ground in 1883, no photograph of the statue remained. Why another statue or likeness was never erected is a question that to this day has never been answered.

General Butler was never a resident of Butler County but assisted in the negotiations of many treaties, and with the Fort Stanwix Treaty, Butler County was purchased for $292.30. In our Bicentennial year, that price would barely cover the closing costs on a small parcel of county land!

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