 The county seat of Bates County, the city is named for William Orlando Butler, a noted American military and political figure of the early and mid-19th century.It is located approximately fifty miles south of Kansas City, Missouri on U.S. Route 71-Interstate 49.When originally laid out in April 1852, Butler was a short distance from its current location, with John C. Kennett being recognized as the first settler to build a home.