Before it carried its current name, the land that became Butler, OH, served as a Delaware Indian hunting ground known as Helltown, chosen for its abundant wild game and fertile farmland. The first permanent settler in the immediate area was Joseph Craig, who received a land grant in 1823 from President James Monroe. The village itself was laid out on January 12, 1848, by Daniel Spohn on land originally entered by William Simmons in 1820. Early nicknames like Spohntown and Squeelgut reflected its rough beginnings before Thomas B. Andrews named it Independence. In the 1870s, the name was changed to Butler in honor of Mexican War hero General William Butler, a change made official in 1891 to align with the post office, marking the transition from frontier settlement to established village. The village never expanded far beyond that original footprint, and today the population remains just under 1,000 residents.
Seasonal events bring the community together. The Prairie Peddler Festival takes place each fall on wooded grounds just outside the village, drawing large crowds for artisan booths, handmade goods, food vendors, and demonstrations across multiple weekends. During winter, the Butler Area Christmas Parade brings decorated vehicles and local groups through Main Street, keeping traditions rooted in volunteer effort and familiar faces.
Local businesses focus on practical needs. Mohican Valley Fence remains a familiar name for property owners needing fencing, gates, and enclosures tied to residential land and acreage. Butler Rent & Store adds another layer of utility, supplying equipment rentals and storage options that residents and contractors rely on for projects, cleanouts, and ongoing property maintenance.
Food traditions here are comforting. Whiffletree Restaurant anchors daily routines with breakfast plates, biscuits and gravy, omelets, burgers, sandwiches, and rotating daily specials that keep the dining room full in the mornings and on weekends. Tall Timber Inn offers a classic bar-and-grill setting, known locally for wings and hearty dinner options that draw a steady evening crowd. Creekside Bar & Grill handles the evening shift, serving burgers, wings, sandwiches, and bar favorites in a casual setting.
Cyclists set the pace, and summer plans often point toward the water. Francis Hitchman Park functions as a local starting point for the Richland B&O Bike Trail, where riders stage trips north toward Mansfield or south toward Lexington. The park’s open lawn and shelters stay active with trail users and small gatherings. When the weather turns warm, Charles Mill Lake Park becomes a regular destination for boating, fishing, swimming, beaches, and day trips built around the reservoir, with ramps and shoreline areas that stay busy throughout the season.
Fairways pull their own crowd. Clear Fork Valley Golf Course in nearby Bellville provides an 18-hole layout, driving range, and clubhouse that support league play and casual rounds throughout the season. Pleasant Hill Lake Park Golf Course adds another option, pairing public access with elevation changes and lake views that make it a frequent choice for weekend rounds without requiring special planning.
After a round wraps up and the day shifts back home, attention turns to the property itself. At Critter Detective, we help homeowners in Butler, OH, handle wildlife intrusions, remove animals humanely, and secure homes against repeat entry.
Contact us today for more information.