Overview & Orientation
Sarver is an unincorporated community in Buffalo Township, Butler County, north of the Allegheny River and northeast of Pittsburgh. Its local government is Buffalo Township. Sarver is known for Todd Nature Reserve, Lernerville Speedway, the Butler-Freeport Community Trail, and the Freeport Area School District, which has its high school, middle school, and an elementary school in Sarver.
Where Sarver Is
- County: Butler County
- Municipality: Sarver is not its own municipality. It is a community within Buffalo Township, a township incorporated in 1803.
- Size: Buffalo Township covers about 24 square miles. Sarver takes in most of the area near and west of Route 356.
- ZIP code: 16055
- Bordering communities (Buffalo Township): Clinton Township (west), Jefferson Township (northwest), Winfield Township (north), South Buffalo Township and Freeport in Armstrong County (east), Harrison and Fawn Townships in Allegheny County (south), and Allegheny Township in Westmoreland County (southeast)
- Other communities in the township: Butler Junction, Silverville, Sarverville, Ekastown, and Lernerville
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Freeport | 10–15 minutes |
| Pittsburgh Mills (Frazer) | 15–25 minutes |
| Butler | 20–30 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 35–45 minutes |
| Oakland | 35–45 minutes |
| Cranberry Township | 35–45 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 55–65 minutes |
A Brief History
Sarver takes its name from Benjamin Sarver, who built a grist mill along Little Buffalo Creek in the 1790s. The town of Sarver was officially founded in 1840, and it is one of Butler County’s oldest settlements. See Visit Butler County for more.
The Butler Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad, Butler County’s first railroad, was built through the area in 1871 to haul limestone to Pittsburgh’s steel mills. Sarver stayed lightly developed into the early 2000s, then grew with new residential developments and businesses.
Notable Landmarks
- Todd Nature Reserve: Opened in 1942 as the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania’s first property and the first privately operated nature reserve in Pennsylvania
- Lernerville Speedway: A 4/10-mile dirt oval at 313 North Pike Road, racing since 1967
- Butler-Freeport Community Trail: A rail-trail on the former Pennsylvania Railroad line, with a trailhead in Sarver
- Freeport Area school campus: The district office, high school, middle school, and Buffalo Elementary are all in Sarver.
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
- Growth: Sarver was sparsely settled through the late 1990s. Since then it has added residential developments and commercial businesses.
- Named developments: Buffalo Township’s residential developments include Twin Oaks, Buffalo Estates, and Woodbury Village.
- Setting: A mix of farmland, residential neighborhoods, and businesses along Little Buffalo Creek and Route 356
- Water and sewer: Provided by the Municipal Authority of Buffalo Township in served areas. Some properties use on-lot septic systems, so check before buying. See township FAQ.
Types of Homes
Homes range from older farmhouses and rural properties to newer houses in planned developments. Lot sizes vary widely across the township.
Sarver listings are filed under Buffalo Township in the MLS. Prices and availability change daily. That means the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Sarver and Buffalo Township.
Schools
Public Schools
Sarver is served by the Freeport Area School District, with offices at 621 South Pike Road, Sarver. The district also serves Freeport Borough and South Buffalo Township in Armstrong County.
- Buffalo Elementary School (K–5), in Sarver
- South Buffalo Elementary School (K–5), in South Buffalo Township
- Freeport Area Middle School (6–8), in Sarver
- Freeport Area High School (9–12), in Sarver
Elementary assignment depends on address. Confirm with the district.
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- Butler County Community College (Butler)
- Penn State New Kensington (Upper Burrell Township), scheduled to close after spring 2027
- University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and other Oakland campuses
For school performance data, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Future Ready PA Index and the district’s own website. School assignments can change. Confirm directly with the district.
Getting Around
Major Roads
- PA Route 28: The expressway to Pittsburgh, reached at Exit 17 in Buffalo Township
- PA Route 356 (Butler Road, South Pike Road, North Pike Road): Runs through the township from southeast to northwest, toward Freeport and Butler
- Sarver Road: Local route past the Sarver Trailhead
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit serves Allegheny County, so there is no PRT bus service in Sarver. Most trips are by car.
Walkability & Bikeability
See Walk Score for Sarver, PA for walking and bike ratings. For recreational biking and walking, the Butler-Freeport Community Trail runs through the township.
Things to Do
Parks & Trails
Todd Nature Reserve
367 Kepple Road. More than 220 acres with just over 5 miles of trails across eight named trails, hemlock ravines, a historic pond, and meadows. It is an Important Bird Area. Open dawn to dusk year-round and free. No dogs except service animals, and no restrooms on site.
Buffalo Creek Nature Park
154 Monroe Road. A 6-acre Audubon park between Little Buffalo Creek and the Butler-Freeport Community Trail, with the Babcock Nature Center, a covered pavilion, and a nature play area. Open dawn to dusk year-round and free.
Butler-Freeport Community Trail
A 20.4-mile trail from Butler to Freeport on the former railroad line, with crushed limestone, asphalt, and dirt surfaces. It opened in 1992 and was completed in 2015. The Sarver Trailhead is at 569 Sarver Road.
Recreation
- Lernerville Speedway: Weekly Friday racing from mid-April through August, featuring 410 Sprints, Super Late Models, and Big Block Modifieds, plus touring series events. (724) 353-1511.
- Nature programs: Audubon runs programs and rentals at the Babcock Nature Center in Buffalo Creek Nature Park.
Annual Events
- Lernerville racing season (April to August): Weekly Friday night races, plus special touring series events
See the township events calendar for meetings and community notices.
Dining & Shopping
- Route 356: Local restaurants, shops, and services in Sarver
- Freeport: Shops and restaurants in the borough, 10 to 15 minutes away
- Pittsburgh Mills: A larger shopping center in Frazer, 15 to 25 minutes away
Library
The South Butler Community Library is at 240 West Main Street in Saxonburg. Library cards are free to Butler County residents.
Local Services & Resources
Buffalo Township Municipal Building
109 Bear Creek Road, Sarver, PA 16055
Phone: (724) 295-2648
Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
Website: buffalotownship.com
Board of Supervisors: Meets monthly at 7 p.m. at the township office. See the events calendar for dates.
Utilities
- Water and sewer: Municipal Authority of Buffalo Township, in served areas
- Recycling: Required for all households under state rules. Pick up a recycling bin at the township building. See recycling information.
- Trash: Call the township office for current hauler information.
- Leaves: The township offers a leaf drop-off program.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Buffalo Township Police: (724) 295-9500
- Fire: Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company, on Sarver Road near the Sarver Trailhead, and Sarver Volunteer Fire Company, on Elliott Road off Ekastown Road
- EMS: Freeport EMS and Saxonburg EMS
Hospitals Nearby
- Butler Memorial Hospital (Butler)
- AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital (Natrona Heights)
Permits & Zoning
For building permits and zoning questions, contact the township’s building inspector at (412) 549-1056, or call the township office at (724) 295-2648. Permit applications are on the township’s Applications & Permits page. Burning permits are issued at the township office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Sarver, PA in?
Sarver is in Butler County, in Buffalo Township.
Is Sarver its own municipality?
No. Sarver is an unincorporated community within Buffalo Township, which handles local government services. Its ZIP code is 16055.
What school district serves Sarver?
The Freeport Area School District. Its high school, middle school, Buffalo Elementary, and district office are all in Sarver.
How long is the drive from Sarver to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 35 to 45 minutes, mostly by Route 28. Traffic varies by time of day.
What parks and trails are near Sarver?
Todd Nature Reserve, Buffalo Creek Nature Park, and the 20.4-mile Butler-Freeport Community Trail, which has a trailhead on Sarver Road.
When does Lernerville Speedway race?
Weekly Friday racing runs from mid-April through August, with special touring series events during the season.
Who provides water and sewer in Sarver?
The Municipal Authority of Buffalo Township serves much of the township. Some properties use on-lot septic systems.
How do I search for homes in Sarver?
Sarver homes are listed under Buffalo Township in the MLS. Use the Buffalo Township, Butler County listings search.
Where is the Buffalo Township municipal building?
The township building is at 109 Bear Creek Road, Sarver, PA 16055. The phone number is (724) 295-2648.
Thinking About a Move to Sarver?
Whether you are buying in Sarver or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Sarver listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
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Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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