The original pre-contact inhabitants of Springfield were theShawnee people.
During the 18th century, theOhio Country saw warfare, waves of migration and displacement, and imposition of claims by rivaling colonial powersFrance andBritain. With the end of theFrench and Indian War in 1763, the British became the sole European claimants of the region.
The area was home to the majorShawnee village in the region, called Peckuwe or Piqua. It belonged to the Shawnee septs (sub-clans) ofPekowi andKispoko and had a population of about 3,000.[6][7] It stood at 39° 54.5′ N, 83° 54.68′ W, less than four miles southwest of the current city of Springfield and less than six miles from its center.
During theWestern theater of the American Revolutionary War, the area saw a major battle that pitted the Americans against the Shawnee and their indigenous allies. The Shawnees had formed an alliance with the British and theLenape, theWyandot, and theMingo, refugees from warfare and displacements elsewhere, and had been raiding into Kentucky with the aim of driving out American settlers.[8] On August 8, 1780, Piqua was attacked by American soldiers under the command of GeneralGeorge Rogers Clark. It was a ferocious battle that ended with the destruction of the Shawnee village and the exodus of its inhabitants. Clark's men spent two days burning as much as 500 acres of corn surrounding the village.[9][10]
Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief and warrior who later took part in the war of resistance against the U.S. and its expansionist settlement policy, lived in Piqua from 1777 until 1780.[8]
The Springfield area was officially ceded to the United States by the Shawnee and their indigenous allies under theTreaty of Greenville on 1795, six years before the city was founded.[11]
Springfield was founded in 1801 by European-American James Demint, a former teamster fromKentucky who named it forSpringfield, Massachusetts. WhenClark County was created in 1818 from parts ofChampaign,Madison, andGreene counties, Springfield was chosen by the legislature over the village of New Boston as the county seat, winning by two votes.[12][13]
Early growth in Springfield was stimulated by federal construction of theNational Road, which was extended to the city in 1838. For about a decade thereafter, Springfield served as the western terminus while politicians wrangled over its future route. Representatives ofDayton andEaton wanted the road to veer south after Springfield, but PresidentAndrew Jackson, who took office in 1829, decided to push the road straight west toRichmond, Indiana.[14]
During the mid-and-late 19th century, themanufacturing industry began to flourish in Springfield. Industrialists included Oliver S. Kelly, James Leffel, P. P. Mast,Benjamin H. Warder, andAsa S. Bushnell, who built the self-named Bushnell Building.[15] Springfield became known as "The Champion City", a reference to the Champion Farm Equipment brand.[13]Champion was manufactured by the Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Company, absorbed into International Harvester in 1902.
International Harvester, a manufacturer of farm machinery and later trucks, became the leading local industry after 1856, when Springfield native William Whiteley invented a self-raking reaper and mower. In 1877, P. P. Mast startedFarm & Fireside magazine to promote the products of his agricultural equipment company. His publishing company, known as Mast, Crowell, and Kirkpatrick, eventually developed as theCrowell-Collier Publishing Company, best known for publishingCollier's Weekly. International Harvester and Crowell-Collier Publishing would be the city's major employers throughout most of the next century.
At the turn of the 20th century, Springfield became known as the "Home City". It was a period of high activity by fraternal organizations, and such lodges as theMasonic Lodge,Knights of Pythias, andOdd Fellows built homes for orphans and aged members of their orders.
That same year, A.B. Graham, then the superintendent of schools for Springfield Township in Clark County, established a "Boys' and Girls' Agricultural Club". About 85 children, 10 to 15 years of age, attended the first meeting on January 15, 1902, in Springfield, in the basement of the Clark County Courthouse. This was the start of what would soon be called the "4-H Club"; it expanded to become a nationwide organization at a time when agriculture was a mainstay of the economy in many regions.[16] The first projects included food preservation, gardening, and elementary agriculture. Today, a historical marker exists at the Clark County courthouse, and theLibrary of Congress officially recognized the birthplace in 2023.[17]
On March 7, 1904, over a thousand white residents formed alynch mob, stormed the jail, and removed prisoner Richard Dixon, a black man accused of killing police officer Charles B. Collis. Dixon was shot to death and then hanged from a pole on the corner of Fountain and Main Street, where the mob shot his body numerous times. From there, the mob rioted through the town, destroying and burning much of the black area. The events were covered by national newspapers and provoked outrage.[18] On February 26, 1906, an altercation between a white man and a black man resulted in another riot. The rioters burned down much of the Levee, a predominantly black neighborhood located in a flood-prone area near the river. Nearly 100 people were left homeless.[19][20] The final riot took place in 1921.The New York Times reported that 14 people were killed during the unrest.[21]
From 1916 to 1926, 10automobile companies operated in Springfield. Among them were the Bramwell, Brenning, Foos, Frayer-Miller, Kelly Steam, Russell-Springfield, and Westcott. The Westcott, known as "the car built to last", was a six-cylinder four-door sedan manufactured by Burton J. Westcott of theWestcott Motor Car Company.
In 1908, Westcott and his wife Orpha commissioned architectFrank Lloyd Wright to design their home at 1340 East High Street. TheWestcott House, a sprawling two-story stucco and concrete house, has all the features of Wright's "prairie style", including horizontal lines, low-pitched roof, and broad eaves. Wright became world-renowned, and this is his only prairie-style house in the state of Ohio.[22] In 2000, the property was purchased by theChicago-based Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy. As part of a prearranged plan, the house was sold to the Westcott House Foundation, a newly formed group that managed an extensive 5-year, $5.8 million restoration, completed in October 2005.[22] The house is now open to the public for guided tours.
Crowell-Collier Publishing, a longtime pillar of local employment, closed its magazines in 1957 and sold its Springfield printing plant.[23] The city population peaked at more than 82,000 in the 1960 census.
In 1966,Robert C. Henry was appointed by the city commission asmayor, making him the firstblack mayor of an Ohio city.[24]
In 1983,Newsweek called Springfield one of America's "dream cities". But the issue, which marked the magazine's 50th anniversary issue, concluded that "The American Dream" was in decline.[25]
Thedecline in manufacturing and otherblue-collar industries in the United States in the late 20th and early 21st centuries hit Springfield especially hard. In 2011,Gallup called Springfield the "unhappiest city" in the country.[26] Its 27% decrease inmedian income between 1999 and 2014 was the largest of anymetropolitan area in the country.[27] By 2020, the population had declined to 58,662, down more than one-quarter from its peak.[28]
By the mid-2010s, city leaders began revitalization of the downtown area, including residential housing, a parking garage and demolition of decayed structures.[29][30][31][32] New downtown structures built since 2000 include the Ohio Valley Surgical Hospital, Springfield Regional Medical Center, Mother Stewart's Brewing Company, and the Chiller Ice Arena.[33] As of 2018, the economic recovery enjoyed by larger cities since theGreat Recession had not included Springfield, despite efforts by local politicians and business organizations.[34]
In 2021, theUpper Valley Mall, which had operated as the city'sretail hub since 1971, permanently closed.[35]
In 2014, the city began the "Welcome Springfield" initiative to attract immigrants in an attempt to improve the local economy.[36] About four years later,Haitian immigrants fleeing their country'sdeepening crisis began to arrive.[37]
By 2024, an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 Haitian immigrants had settled in the city. The vast majority later receivedtemporary protected status, which allows them to work without the fear of deportation, due to thecrisis in Haiti.[38][39] Many were drawn by jobs with Springfield's growingmanufacturing sector, which includes companies such asTopre, Silfex, and McGregor Metal.[40][41][42]
The influx of Haitians triggered an increase in anti-immigrant sentiment among existing residents. In August 2023, tensions were aggravated when an improperly licensed Haitian driver crashed into a school bus, killing one child and injuring 23 others.[40] In mid-2024, local politicians asked for federal assistance to fund an unexpected increased use of city services and to help with housing issues caused by the population increase.[43][40] Community organizations have hired significant numbers ofHaitian Creole translators.[40]
In 2024, the city drew international attention overbaseless claims about local Haitian immigrants, leading to dozens of bomb threats that forced school evacuations, government office closures, and other disruptions.[44] On August 26, police received a report of Haitians stealing geese, for which neither law enforcement officials nor theOhio Department of Natural Resources found any evidence or suspects.[45][46] Soon thereafter, a rumor about Haitian immigrants abducting and eating pets in Springfield went viral. Springfield authorities debunked the rumor.[47]
The claims were amplified byJD Vance, a U.S. senator from Ohio and Republican vice-president, other Republican politicians, and right-wing commentators.[48][49][50][51][52] On September 10, Republican presidential candidateDonald Trump amplified the claims duringhis presidential debate withKamala Harris.[53][54][55] Over the following week, Trump repeated and embellished his lies,[56][57] adding a vow to mass-deport "migrants" from Springfield.[58] Meanwhile, unknown perpetrators began making dozens ofbomb threats to Springfield schools, city officials and employees, and municipal offices, forcing several days of evacuations, lockdowns, closures, and cancellations.[44][59][60][61] Five schools were evacuated during their school days, and two more closed for a day.City Hall and several municipal[62] and county buildings[60] were closed for one or more days. Two hospitals were locked down for part of a day.[63] Two local colleges moved classes online for one or more days.[63] The episode drew national and international attention to Springfield.[64][65][66]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.50 square miles (66.04 km2), of which, 25.29 square miles (65.50 km2) is land and 0.21 square miles (0.54 km2) is water.[71] The Clarence J. Brown Reservoir is located on the northeast outskirts of Springfield.
As of the 2000 census,[4] the median income for a household in the city was $32,193, and the median income for a family was $39,890. Males had a median income of $32,027 versus $23,155 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $16,660. 16.9% of the population and 13.5% of families were below thepoverty line. Out of the total population, 23.9% of those under the age of 18 and 9.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Springfield city, Ohio – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
As of the2010 census,[81] there were 60,608 people, 24,459 households, and 14,399 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,693.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,040.0/km2). There were 28,437 housing units at an average density of 1,263.9 per square mile (488.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 75.2%White, 18.1%African American, 0.3%Native American, 0.8%Asian, nil%Pacific Islander, and 4.0% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 3.0% of the population.
There were 24,459 households, of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.4% weremarried couples living together, 18.6% had a female householder with no spouse present, 5.9% had a male householder with no spouse present, and 41.1% were non-families. Of all households, 34.1% were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38, and the average family size was 3.01.
In the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.
From 2012 through 2014, the city experienced a 21% increase in violent crime; from 618 per 100,000 persons to 750. Also during those years, occurrences of murder and non-negligent manslaughter steadily increased; from 5 to 7.[82][83][84] In 2015, Springfield's violent crime reached a 14-year high,[85][86] but this rate has since decreased.[87]
Springfield has a notably weakened economy due to many factors, but a key cause for degradation of the economy in Springfield has been the decline in manufacturing jobs. Between 1999 and 2014, Springfield saw the median income decrease by 27 percent, compared to just 8 percent across the country. In the 1990s, Springfield lost 22,000blue collar jobs, which were the backbone of the city economy.[88] Today, Springfield largely relies on healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, leisure, education, financial institutions, and retail for employment.[89]
The current mayor of Springfield isRob Rue, who was sworn in January 2024.[90] He succeeded Warren Copeland, who had been mayor of the city since 1998.[91]
The City of Springfield operates as a council-manager form of government, with an elected City Commission operating with an appointed City Manager. The Springfield City Commission is composed of the mayor and four city commissioners, all serving four-year terms. Commissioners must be residents of the city both one year prior and during their terms.[92] As of 2024, the commissioners are David Estrop, Krystal Brown, Bridget Houston and Tracy Tackett.[92]
Other schools in Springfield include the Global Impact STEM Academy, an early-college middle school and high school certified in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics curriculum founded in 2013.[95]
Parts of northern Springfield are served by in Northeastern Local School District and Northwestern Local School District. Portions to the west, south, and southeast are in Clark-Shawnee Local School District.[93]
Wittenberg University is aprivateliberal arts college founded in Springfield in 1845. Associated with theEvangelical Lutheran Church in America, its student body consists of roughly 1,300 full-time students.[96] The university has a 114-acre campus and offers more than seventy majors. Wittenberg has more than 150 campus organizations, which include ten national fraternities and sororities. TheWUSO radio station is operated on the campus.
The city is also home toClark State College, which offers associate's and bachelor's degrees.[97] The Springfield and Clark County Technical Education Program opened in 1962 and began to offer technical training for residents of Springfield and surrounding communities, and was chartered as the Clark County Technical Institute on February 18, 1966, Ohio's first technical college sanctioned by theOhio Board of Regents.
The city is served by one daily newspaper, theSpringfield News-Sun.The Wittenberg Torch is the newspaper of Wittenberg University.WEEC-FM radio, featuringChristian-based programming, is located in the city. Two AM radio stations are licensed to Springfield—WIZE 1340, owned byiHeart Media, andWULM 1600, licensed toRadio Maria—but neither is locally operated or programmed. WIZE broadcasts iHeart'sBlack Information Network; WULM, Catholic programming fromKJMJ-AM in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Springfield was once served by passenger railroads: theNew York Central at itsBig Four Depot, with trains for Cincinnati, Detroit, Cleveland and New York City,[99] demolished in 1969; and thePennsylvania Railroad at its station, with trains for Richmond, Indiana, and Chicago.[100] The last train from Springfield left on April 30, 1971: an unnamed remnant of the New York Central'sOhio State Limited, run byPenn Central on the Cincinnati–Columbus–Cleveland route.[101]
^Hand, Tom (April 4, 2024). Americana corner: The battle of Piqua. Bryan County News - Bryan County News.[1]Archived April 11, 2024, at theWayback Machine
^abSugden, John (1997).Tecumseh: A Life. New York: Henry Holt and Company. pp. 30–31.ISBN0-8050-4138-9.
^Lodge, D. (1997). Shawnee Indians A monument commemorates their departure in Hardin. Shelby County Historical Society.[2]
^Gaff, Alan D. (2004).Bayonets in the Wilderness. Anthony Waynes Legion in the Old Northwest. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. p. 366.ISBN0-8061-3585-9.
^"Call Detail Report". Clark County Communication Center. August 26, 2024.Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. RetrievedSeptember 11, 2024.
^"Population: Ohio"(PDF).1930 US Census. U.S. Census Bureau.Archived(PDF) from the original on June 9, 2011. RetrievedMay 17, 2020.
^"Number of Inhabitants: Ohio"(PDF).18th Census of the United States. U.S. Census Bureau. 1960.Archived(PDF) from the original on March 8, 2021. RetrievedMay 17, 2020.
