As we continue to celebrate the 70th anniversary of MetroParks of Butler County, we’re taking a journey through time to revisit the pivotal moments that shaped our legacy. In our last blog post, we looked at the formative first five years of the Butler County Park District—years that saw the district’s founding, its first land acquisitions, and the opening of key parks. Now, we turn the page to 1961–1965: a stretch of time marked by expansion, historic preservation, and a deepening partnership with the community.

1961:

In 1961, it became clear that the people of Butler County greatly valued the young park district. In a grassroots effort, Morgan Township’s residents raised funds to purchase an additional 53 acres of land at Governor Bebb MetroPark. This successful campaign demonstrated early and enthusiastic community support for protecting natural spaces and preserving Ohio’s early history. Governor Bebb was quickly becoming a local destination (some records refer it it as the park district’s flagship park), and was now able to offer more space for outdoor recreation, nature exploration, and historical interpretation.

1962:

The park district’s vision expanded in 1962 as it applied to the Ohio Department of Public Works to transfer a parcel of land along the historic Miami-Erie Canal. This land stretched from Headgates to Reigart Road, strategically located between the growing communities of Hamilton and Middletown. While the land’s full potential would unfold in future decades, this move laid the groundwork for what would eventually become Rentschler Forest MetroPark—one of Butler County’s best parks and a vital area for wildlife and recreation.

1963:

Preservation took center stage in 1963. Restoration was completed on the historic Pioneer Church—also known as the Indian Creek Baptist Church. This structure and its cemetery were rededicated as a place for quiet reflection and community gathering, cementing the park district’s role not just in conservation, but in preserving local history.

In August of that year, a Governor’s Deed officially transferred 13 acres of the Miami-Erie Canal land to the district. Meanwhile, Governor Bebb Park continued to evolve with the dedication of the Murstein Cabin, a hostel that was utilized by youth groups for summer camps and scout trips. Check out the photos below to compare a Murstein Cabin conceptual drawing from 1962 with the cabin today!

The Butler County Park District also faced challenges in 1963. In October, high fire risks forced the temporary closure of Pater Park, Indian Creek, and Governor Bebb. Although the threat of wildfires is still present today, county-wide burn bans and dedicated campfire areas have greatly reduced the risk of fire in recent years.

1964:

In 1964, partnerships with local families, civic organizations, and governments propelled the district’s mission forward. In April, the Walter A. Rentschler family donated 28 acres adjacent to the Miami-Erie Canal corridor. This generous gift expanded the district’s ecological footprint along the Great Miami River in Fairfield Township. We will hear more about the Rentschler family in future blog posts!

September marked a significant moment in downtown Hamilton, as a historic log cabin—relocated and restored through a joint effort with the City of Hamilton, the Hamilton City Parks and Recreation Department and the Butler County Park District—was dedicated in Monument Avenue Park. The cabin still stands today, although it is no longer owned or managed by MetroParks. The story of the cabin’s discovery and restoration is a wild one, and deserves a blog post of its own! For a quick history of the building, click below to read an article about it from the 1960s.

In October, Bunker Hill Cemetery was transferred to MetroParks. The historic cemetery is adjacent to Pater Park, and contains the graves of local Revolutionary War and Civil War veterans, as well as several families. Bunker Hill is the second cemetery that came under MetroParks’ jurisdiction.

1965:

In 1965, the entirety of Pater Park was officially leased to the Butler County Park District from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). A 15-acre tract was leased to the park district in the early 1960s, but the remaining 185 acres remained under ODNR’s jurisdiction. After plans for the development of Pater Lake fell through, the park district and ODNR saw value in opening the rest of the property for public use. A 1965 article stated that the Butler County Park District wanted to reinvestigate building a lake on the property, which never came to fruition.

Ending off on a fun note: If you missed our Facebook post about the Claxton family’s waterski performance organized to help raise money for the construction of Pioneer Village at Governor Bebb MetroPark in 1965, check it out here!

Stay tuned as we continue this historical series with more blog posts!