Springfield (toponym)
Encyclopedia
Springfield is a famously common place-name in the English-speaking world, especially in the United States
. According to the U.S. Geological Survey there are currently 34 populated place
s in 25 states named Springfield throughout the United States, including at least four in Wisconsin
; additionally, there are at least 36 Springfield Township
s, including 11 in Ohio
. Database studies reveal that there are several more common U.S. place-names than Springfield, including Fairview, Midway, and Oak Grove.
Historically, the first American place named Springfield was Springfield, Massachusetts
, founded in 1636 by William Pynchon
. An early American colonist, Pynchon named Springfield after his hometown in England, Springfield, Essex
. Springfield, Massachusetts, became nationally important in 1777, when George Washington founded the United States' National Armory at Springfield
. During the 19th century, Springfield became one of the world's leading centers of the Industrial Revolution
, pioneering advances in interchangeable parts
. Springfield, Illinois
and Springfield, Missouri
, among other American cities and towns named Springfield, were named after Springfield, Massachusetts.
As of the 2010 census, Springfield, Missouri and Springfield, Massachusetts were the world's most populous cities named Springfield, with 159,630 and 155,575 residents, respectively. Springfield, Illinois, the one-time home of Abraham Lincoln
, is the only U.S. state capital with the name. As of 2006, it had an estimated population of 116,482.
In the United States, there are three Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Areas - in Illinois, Massachusetts, and Missouri; as of the 2010 census, the most populous was the one in Massachusetts, which had 698,903 residents.
The television
show The Simpsons
is set in a town generically named "Springfield
", without indicating a state. Creator Matt Groening
has suggested in interviews that he chose the name because of its ubiquity; the show's intentionally contradictory information about the location of the town prevents matching the fictional Springfield to a real one. Springfield was also the setting of the early 1950s radio
and television program, Father Knows Best
, as well as the 1950s soap opera
The Guiding Light, which continued as the CBS
soap opera Guiding Light
through 2009.
The name "Springfield" is common in the British Isles with a notable example being on the outskirts of Shrewsbury
, Shropshire; it is also popular in Australia.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. According to the U.S. Geological Survey there are currently 34 populated place
Populated place
A populated place is a place or area with clustered or scattered buildings and a permanent human population referenced with geographic coordinates...
s in 25 states named Springfield throughout the United States, including at least four in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
; additionally, there are at least 36 Springfield Township
Springfield Township
Springfield Township may refer to the following townships in the United States:-Indiana:* Springfield Township, Allen County, Indiana* Springfield Township, Franklin County, Indiana* Springfield Township, LaGrange County, Indiana...
s, including 11 in Ohio
Springfield Township, Ohio
Springfield Township, Ohio may refer to:*Springfield Township, Clark County, Ohio*Springfield Township, Gallia County, Ohio*Springfield Township, Hamilton County, Ohio*Springfield Township, Jefferson County, Ohio*Springfield Township, Lucas County, Ohio...
. Database studies reveal that there are several more common U.S. place-names than Springfield, including Fairview, Midway, and Oak Grove.
Historically, the first American place named Springfield was Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
, founded in 1636 by William Pynchon
William Pynchon
William Pynchon was an English colonist in North America best known as the founder of Springfield, Massachusetts, United States. He was also a colonial treasurer, original patentee of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and the iconoclastic author of the New World's first banned book...
. An early American colonist, Pynchon named Springfield after his hometown in England, Springfield, Essex
Springfield, Essex
Springfield has been a civil parish of the Borough of Chelmsford, Essex, England since 1907. The parish takes in the portion of the town north of river Chelmer and west of the A12 bypass and originally comprised the manors of Springfield Hall, Springfield Barnes, Cuton Hall, and in part New Hall...
. Springfield, Massachusetts, became nationally important in 1777, when George Washington founded the United States' National Armory at Springfield
Springfield Armory
The Springfield Armory, located in the City of Springfield, Massachusetts - from 1777 until its closing in 1968 - was the primary center for the manufacture of U.S. military firearms. After its controversial closing during the Vietnam War, the Springfield Armory was declared Western Massachusetts'...
. During the 19th century, Springfield became one of the world's leading centers of the Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times...
, pioneering advances in interchangeable parts
Interchangeable parts
Interchangeable parts are parts that are, for practical purposes, identical. They are made to specifications that ensure that they are so nearly identical that they will fit into any device of the same type. One such part can freely replace another, without any custom fitting...
. Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
and Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, among other American cities and towns named Springfield, were named after Springfield, Massachusetts.
As of the 2010 census, Springfield, Missouri and Springfield, Massachusetts were the world's most populous cities named Springfield, with 159,630 and 155,575 residents, respectively. Springfield, Illinois, the one-time home of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
, is the only U.S. state capital with the name. As of 2006, it had an estimated population of 116,482.
In the United States, there are three Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Areas - in Illinois, Massachusetts, and Missouri; as of the 2010 census, the most populous was the one in Massachusetts, which had 698,903 residents.
The television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
show The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
is set in a town generically named "Springfield
Springfield (The Simpsons)
Springfield is the fictional town in which the American animated sitcom The Simpsons is set. A mid-sized town in an undetermined state of the United States, Springfield acts as a complete universe in which characters can explore the issues faced by modern society. The geography of the town and its...
", without indicating a state. Creator Matt Groening
Matt Groening
Matthew Abram "Matt" Groening is an American cartoonist, screenwriter, and producer. He is the creator of the comic strip Life in Hell as well as two successful television series, The Simpsons and Futurama....
has suggested in interviews that he chose the name because of its ubiquity; the show's intentionally contradictory information about the location of the town prevents matching the fictional Springfield to a real one. Springfield was also the setting of the early 1950s radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and television program, Father Knows Best
Father Knows Best
Father Knows Best is an American radio and television comedy series which portrayed a middle class family life in the Midwest. It was created by writer Ed James in the 1940s.-Radio:...
, as well as the 1950s soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
The Guiding Light, which continued as the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
soap opera Guiding Light
Guiding Light
Guiding Light is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running drama in television and radio history, running from 1937 until 2009...
through 2009.
The name "Springfield" is common in the British Isles with a notable example being on the outskirts of Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
, Shropshire; it is also popular in Australia.
External links
- Website with a list of many Springfields, illustrated by postcards.