This neighborhood began to distinguish itself from the town of Mapleton in the mid-1800s, and was predominantly rural until Fairview Park was founded where Butler University sits today. The name "Butler-Tarkington" did not come about until the 1950s, as people began recognizing the neighborhood for its anchor institutions: Butler from the university itself and Tarkington from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Booth Tarkington, who lived here from 1923 until his death in 1946.

The tree-lined streets of the neighborhood arehome to Butler University and the offering of local shops and restaurants in the 56th & Illinois corridor.

Boundaries: Central Canal (north); 38th Street (south); Meridian Street (east); Michigan Road (west)