Butler Downtown

With the jeep being a nationally-significant invention that took place in Butler, Pennsylvania, it would be a shame to let this building fall into further disrepair. 

The Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau and City of Butler are presently working with AK Steel (current building and property owner) to protect this vacant building from further deterioration.  The Bantam building is 40,000 square feet with a 10,000 square foot footprint. The first issue that needs to be addressed to save the building is to stop water from coming in through the middle section of the roof. A number of years ago AK Steel covered the perimeter of the roof with stainless steel. For an unknown reason the company did not cover the center 40 by 80 foot section of the roof. Since that time, this center section has continued to deteriorate to a point that all rain that falls in this area enters the building. Although the floors have experienced water damage, the supporting structure appears to be stable at this time.  

To save this piece of history is of vital importance for the City of Butler and for the Butler community as it reminds us of the wonderful ability to create something that defines the people who lived here. Several community groups including the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, the Butler County Historical Society, Butler Downtown, and the City of Butler would like to see this building preserved as a reminder of the great importance the jeep played in helping end the Second World War and becoming a brand that is still being used today. In 2011 the Butler County Tourism Bureau, along with several other community organizations, will be remembering and celebrating this invention with the first Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival which will bring jeep enthusiasts and the community together to teach them about this wonderful history.

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