Though there was talk as early as 1915 of building a new, modern school for the southwestern portion of Springfield, it wasn’t until overcrowding became such a concern that it happened. An article from The Illinois State Journal mentions additional portable buildings being added to Butler as early as August 1919.

Many people were not happy with the location change of The Lawrence Portable. It made the distance to get to school farther away for some students. During this time period, groups of patrons of the now multi-building school met with the Board of Education to try and influence location changes. According to the article in The Illinois State Journal dated April 3, 1918, a group of patrons followed the name change vote with a request for school accommodations farther north. It was a request that would be repeated many times before the new Butler School building was constructed. The group, led by Lewis N. Wiggins, requested a new building at the former site of The Lawrence Portable, back north to the corner of South Grand and West Grand. Their request was based on the need for a more centralized location in the city. After a few board meeting discussions, the Board put a halt to their requests and refused to even call a vote on the matter.

Almost a year to the day later, the board decided the time was right and voted to begin the process of building two new schools for the city. Poor conditions led to the decision as Feitshans School had recently suffered fire damage and Butler’s portables were becoming a short-term solution that had gone on too long.

In order to begin and pay for the construction, the Board had to have the help from the voters of Springfield once again. The first was to change the terms of the district’s purchase of the land Butler sat on. The last voted on amendment by Springfield citizens allowed the school district to buy the land, but not build on it. The question of allowing the district to build on the land had to be on the ballot and pass. William J. Butler, continued his involvement with Butler School by helping to get the signatures necessary to pose the question on the next ballot. The other part was strictly about money. Both Butler and Feitshans needed the necessary bonds issued in order to pay for their construction.

In March 1921, The Daily Illinois State Journal published the bond issues in the coming election with an interesting way to grab the attention of Springfield parents and voters. With his involvement as an advocate of Butler Improvement, William J. Butler may have used his keen eye for swaying the public by the use of guilt over Butler’s current condition. Regardless of the cause, all necessary measures passed during the election and the Springfield School District could begin the process of planning and constructing a new Butler School.

Butler Elementary School

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Butler Daily Schedule

History of Butler Elementary

Butler Construction History

Butler Centennial Celebration Photos

Butler School: Celebrating A Century 1921-2021

Who Was Butler School Named For?

1914-1917: The Lawrence Portable(s)

1918: Butler School Established

1918-1921: Overcrowding and Construction

1922-1923: The New Butler School

1923-1936: Overcrowding, Portable, Construction, Repeat

1921-2021: Interior Changes

Grade Levels and Principals

Butler History in Print

Class Photos 1921-1963

The History of the Butler Bobcat

Butler School Sports Trophies