Butler’s electric history contrasts with its quiet present
Butler earned the nickname "The Electric City" because it was the first city west of the Mississippi River to get electricity. Despite its innovative beginnings, growth halted in the early 20th century, and today, the city is home to fewer than 5,000 people. Butler is primarily a farming community, where residents might shop at Mennonite-run markets or volunteer at local church dinners. The city is large enough to have a Walmart, but many people commute to nearby Nevada or Harrisonville for work. According to Mary Coffman, a sales associate with Western MO Realty and a resident for over 30 years, the city's location and rustic lifestyle are the main appeals. "Our neighbors never shut their garage door," she says. "It's just a very safe place to be, close to Kansas City and close to a major highway and hospital."
Rustic neighborhoods with a high demand for rental housing
Housing options in Butler range through the decades, from 1920s bungalows to 1950s ranch-style homes. There are a few more recent New Traditional designs, but no modern subdivisions. Streets feel rustic, with overgrown sidewalks and no curbs. The average yard size is around a quarter-acre. About 40% of the population rents, and Coffman says rental properties are in high demand: "Nobody can come here and rent, even our own people."
Depending on the level of renovations, older homes range in price from $65,000 to $200,000. From $200,000 to $470,000, buyers can find larger floor plans, expansive yards or properties built after 2000. In early 2025, the entire city was connected to fiber internet options.
Local schools operate with a four-day week
The Butler R-V School District operates with a four-day, Tuesday through Friday school week. Kids can attend Butler Elementary before moving to Butler High for sixth to 12th grade. Both schools are rated C-plus by Niche. Butler High partners with Nevada Regional Technical Center to offer career-focused courses like automotive technology and health sciences. The district also provides preschool care at its Early Childhood Center, starting at age 3.
Golfing, playgrounds and pool memberships keep families active
The city's parks offer playgrounds, Little League fields and picnic pavilions. The Butler Public Library has book clubs, and golfers enjoy Butler Country Club, a public 9-hole golf course with a members-only pool. "Almost every weekend, there's a tournament or something out there on the golf course," Coffman says. Perhaps the most-used park is the Butler Aquatic Center, which has water slides, play structures and a lazy river. Locals must purchase a day pass or a seasonal membership to use the pool.
The city is also within 80 miles of Stockton Lake State Park and the western edge of The Lake of the Ozarks.
Handmade peanut butter and baked goods, plus a Walmart
The central square around the Bates County Courthouse still has its original brick streets and storefronts. However, Coffman says there has been an increase in empty storefronts in recent years. One spot that defies that trend is Udderly Nuts, which was opened in 2022 by two Butler residents. The shop sells ice cream and flavored peanut butter for eating right out of the jar. Inside, kids can explore a hand-built play area with miniature buildings like a café, school and post office. Another staple in town is Koehn Bakery, a Mennonite-run shop offering freshly made desserts, doughnuts and sausage rolls. "There's a sign out on the highway at Harrisonville — it says, 'You're 30 minutes from heaven' — and they are talking about the bakery," Coffman says.
Most retail is located on the city's west side, along the strip malls of West Fort Scott Street. Walmart is the go-to for grocery shopping, and chain restaurant options include McDonald's, Pizza Hut and Sonic Drive-In.
Community events and faith-based support organizations
Butler residents come together for city-wide garage sales, vintage car shows and holiday parades around the courthouse square. The small Bates County Fair comes to town each year, and the Electric City Speedway has regular races. According to Coffman, local churches are also a big part of the community. "We have a free meal every Tuesday night at one of the churches for anybody who wants to come," she says. Local houses of worship rotate who will host the meal that week. A faith-based coffee shop, The Carpenter's Cup, is also active in the community, with a food pantry and a program to give away free lunches to kids throughout the summer.
Butler has a local hospital and direct interstate access
Unlike nearby small towns like Adrien and Rich Hill, Butler is home to a large healthcare facility, Bates County Memorial Hospital. Another draw to the city is the proximity to Interstate 49, which runs along the west side of town. By taking I-49, Harrisonville and Nevada are both 30 miles away, and Kansas City is about 65 miles away. It's around 85 miles to Kansas City International Airport.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
