Located within the state of Missouri, Springfield (SGF) boasts a population of approximately 168,000 residents. It is the third-largest city in the state, built on education, culture, and transportation.
History of Springfield, Missouri
The land that Springfield would eventually be founded on was originally slow to develop due to the presence of many Native American groups. Among these groups were the Kickapoo, Delaware, and the Osage tribes that had already been settled in the area before the settlers arrived to build. Eventually, however, the Native American groups began to abandon the area, and in the early 1830s, Springfield was on its way.
John Polk Campbell, Thomas Finney, Samuel Weaver, and Joseph Miller were the first to settle on the land, deeming it a great location to build. Campbell was given 50 acres of land to create the town, mapping out its streets and lots. By 1835, Campbell had officially laid out the town of Springfield, and in 1838, three years later, it was finally incorporated.
The population of Springfield began to rise, notably when the Civil War broke out. The population had risen by over 2,000 residents by 1861 and was gaining popularity quickly. However, Springfield was also known as being a place of battle during the way and having a heavily divided population during the time period.
The population of Springfield, Missouri
The U.S. Decennial Census estimated in 2016 that the current population of Springfield, Missouri, was 167,319. However, more data is available from the census taken in 2010, where the city population was found to be 159,498 residents. These people made up 69,754 households and 35,453 families in the city during 2010, a population density of 1,951.8 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was largely not those of color, with Whites comprising 88.7%. African Americans made up 4.1% of the city while Native Americans made up 0.8%, Asians made up 1.9%, Pacific Islanders made up 0.2%, and Latinos made up 3.7%. In addition, 1.2% of the population was found to be from another race not specified by the census, and 3.2% of the population was found to be of two or more races.
Attractions of Springfield, Missouri
SGF holds many attractions that bring visitors and travelers to the city each year. These include Air & Military Museum of the Ozarks, American Civil War Library at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Battle of Springfield Driving Tour, Commercial Street Historic District, The Creamery Arts Center, Dickerson Park Zoo, Dr. Michael J. Clarke History Museum of Ozarks Scouting, Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center, Founders Park, Gray-Campbell Farmstead, History Museum on the Square, Missouri Institute of Natural Science – Riverbluff Cave, Springfield Art Museum, Springfield-Greene County Library District, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and the US Route 66 marker.
Historic Sites
Springfield, Missouri, is also well known for the many historic sites it holds within its borders. These include Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque, Ambassador Apartments, Bailey School, Bentley House, Benton Avenue AME Church, Camp Manor Apartments, Campbell Avenue Historic District, Christ Episcopal Church, College Apartments, Commercial Street Historic District, Day House, Fallin Brothers Building, Finkbiner Building, Franklin Springfield Motor Co. Building, Gillioz Theatre, Gottfried Furniture Company Building, Greene County Courthouse, Heer’s Department Store, Heercleff, Holland Building, Hotel Sansone, Jefferson Avenue Footbridge, Keet-McElhany House, J.E. King Manufacturing Company, Robert B. and Vitae A. Kite Apartment Building, Landers Theatre, Lincoln School Marquette Hotel, Marx-Hurlburt Building and many more.
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Revisions:
- May 29, 2021 – revised grammatical errors, increased internal links, etc. – MWS