Eagle marks anniversary of its first edition
On Monday, the Butler Eagle celebrated the 150th anniversary of its first edition, which rolled off the presses March 2, 1870. More than 100 people, including elected officials, local businesses owners and community leaders, stopped by the Wayne Street facility throughout the late afternoon on Monday.
The event capped off a monumental day that included a proclamation and congressional recognition presented by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, and recognition from the Pennsylvania News Media Association. Monday also saw the publication of a 42-page special anniversary keepsake section.
What started as a four-page weekly by Civil War veterans has evolved into a multimedia news-gathering organization that has kept its community focus and roots. Outlined were more than just the Eagle's history entwined with the history of Butler County. Community leaders voiced their support of the Eagle, and cited the ever-growing importance of a community newspaper for the next 150 years.
“The Eagle, like many local newspapers across the country, (is) a big part of the community identity. They provide information that matters to us that larger, national news outlets do not,” Kelly's proclamation read. “They tell us stories about friends and neighbors and their successes, new marriages, community events, high school sports and so much more. We can count on the Eagle and papers like it across our great country to tell us what is happening close to home.”
