|
|
|
|
Springfield, Missouri
|
| |
|
| |
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is the county seat of Greene County. Springfield is 160 miles SE of Kansas City, MO, and 200 miles SW of St. Louis, MO.
On July 1, 2007, the estimated population was 154,777. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, ranked 114th in the U.S., includes the counties of Christian, Dallas, Greene, Polk and Webster. Springfield is near the population center of the United States, about to the east.
Springfield's nickname is the "The Queen City of the Ozarks." It is also known as "The Cultural Center of the Ozarks," "The Gateway to the Ozarks" and "The Birthplace of Route 66," due to its connection with the designation of U.S.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'Springfield, Missouri' Start a new discussion about 'Springfield, Missouri' Answer questions from other users |
Encyclopedia
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is the county seat of Greene County. Springfield is 160 miles SE of Kansas City, MO, and 200 miles SW of St. Louis, MO.
On July 1, 2007, the estimated population was 154,777. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, ranked 114th in the U.S., includes the counties of Christian, Dallas, Greene, Polk and Webster. Springfield is near the population center of the United States, about to the east.
Springfield's nickname is the "The Queen City of the Ozarks." It is also known as "The Cultural Center of the Ozarks," "The Gateway to the Ozarks" and "The Birthplace of Route 66," due to its connection with the designation of U.S. Route 66.
In 2008, America's Promise Alliance ranked Springfield among its "100 Best Communities for Young People" for the third year in a row , which "includes cities and small towns located across the United States that are wonderful places for youth to live and grow up."
In 2007, The Milken Institute ranked Springfield as a "Best Performing City" for creating and sustaining jobs, and Expansion Management magazine listed Springfield among "Best Mid-Sized Metros for Recruitment and Attraction."
Also that year, Worldwide ERC named Springfield among "The Best Cities for Relocating Families," and the World Health Organization designated Springfield as a "Safe Community."
According to Forbes magazine's list of "America's Wildest Weather Cities," Springfield has the most varied weather in the nation.
History
The territory known as Missouri was included in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Soon after, the Delaware Native Americans received treaty land where Springfield’s Sequiota Park and the antique stores of its Galloway Village stand today. To the west, 500 Kickapoo Native Americans built wickiups on the prairie that still bears their name.
Missouri became a state in 1821, and in 1833 the legislature designated most of the southern portion a single county. It was named for Revolutionary War General Nathanael Greene, largely through a campaign by Springfield's founder, John Polk Campbell, to honor a man he admired. A Tennessee homesteader, Campbell announced his claim in 1829.
Name
The origin of the name Springfield remains unclear. In 1883 the historian R. I. Holcombe wrote, "The town took its name from the circumstance of there being a spring under the hill, on the creek, while on top of the hill, where the principal portion of the town lay, there was a field." He went on to note, "This version of the origin of the name is disputed by the editor of the Springfield Express, Mr. J. G. Newbill, who, in the issue of his paper, November 11, 1881, says: 'It has been stated that this city got its name from the fact of a spring and field being near by just west of town. But such is not a correct version. When the authorized persons met and adopted the title of the "Future Great" of the Southwest, several of the earliest settlers had handed in their favorite names, among whom was Kindred Rose, who presented the winning name, "Springfield," in honor of his former home town, Springfield, Robertson county, Tennessee.'" The most common view is that the city was named for Springfield, Massachusetts. One account holds that a James Wilson, who lived in the then-unnamed city, offered free whiskey to everyone who would vote for naming it after his home town of Springfield, Massachusetts.
1838 Incorporation
Springfield was incorporated in 1838. That same year, Cherokee Native Americans were forcibly removed by the U.S. government from their homelands in Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina and Georgia to the “Indian Territory.” Their route became known as the Trail of Tears due to the thousands of Cherokee deaths on the journey and as a result of the relocation. The Trail of Tears passed through the Springfield area via what is known today as the Old Wire Road. The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail auto tour route is along Interstate 44 westward to U.S. 160 (West By-pass in Springfield) and westward along U.S. 60.
The Old Wire Road, then known as the Military Road, served until the mid-1840s as a connection between Springfield and the garrison at Fort Smith, Arkansas. By 1858, the Butterfield Overland Stage began utilizing the road offering passage to California. Two years later, the region’s first telegraph line was strung along the road, and it was dubbed the Telegraph or Wire Road. The road proved vital during the Civil War, and its most historic connection is to the Battle of Pea Ridge in Arkansas. While portions of the road exist today, the most easily accessible is within Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.
1861-65 Civil War
With the Civil War imminent and Missouri a border state, Springfield was divided in its sentiments. On August 10, 1861, army units clashed in the Battle of Wilson's Creek, the site of the first major conflict west of the Mississippi River, involving about 5,400 Union troops and 12,000 Confederates. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon was killed, the first Union general to die in combat, and the Confederates were victorious. Union troops fell back to Lebanon, then Rolla, and regrouped. When they returned to Springfield, the Confederates had withdrawn.
The First Battle of Springfield, or Zagonyi's Charge, occurred on October 25, 1861. It was the only Union victory that year in southwestern Missouri. The fighting led to increased military activity in Missouri and set the stage for the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862, which essentially cemented Union control of the state.
For the next year, possession of the city seesawed. Then on January 8, 1863, Confederate forces under Gen. John S. Marmaduke advanced toward the town square and the Second Battle of Springfield ensued. As evening approached, the Confederates withdrew. The next morning, Gen. Marmaduke sent a message to Union forces asking for proper burials for Confederate casualties. The city would stay under Union control until the end of the war.
Two years after the war ended, the Springfield National Cemetery was created. The dead of both the North and the South were interred there, though separated by a low stone wall (this wall was later taken down). In 1960, the National Park Service, recognizing the significance of the 1861 battle, designated Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. The battlefield near Republic remains greatly unchanged and stands as one of the most historically pristine battle sites in the country.
1865 Wild Bill Hickok Shootout
In July 1865, Springfield helped give birth to the Wild West era when the town square was the site of the nation’s first recorded shootout, a “quick draw” duel between Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt Jr. at high noon.
Following a poker game in Kelly Kerr Saloon on Park Central Square, Tutt claimed Hickok owed him money and took his pocket watch as collateral. Tutt claimed he would wear it in public to show that Hickok didn’t pay his debts. The next day Tutt fired a shot at Hickok from 75 yards away, barely missing his head. Hickok fired back and killed Tutt with a bullet through the heart. The event made nationwide news, and the incredible marksmanship exhibited by Hickok made him known worldwide.
1870 The Railroad Arrives
Following the Civil War, Springfield saw growth from Westward expansion. On April 21, 1870, the first train of the of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, which became the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway or "Frisco," rolled into Springfield, establishing a new town, North Springfield, with Commercial Street as its downtown. The area was was once known as Moon City. This led to rapid growth and for many decades Springfield prospered as an important railway junction.
Commercial and industrial diversification came with the railroads and strengthened the City of Springfield when the two towns merged 17 years later in 1887. Today visitors can enjoy the view from the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge, peering below to the locomotive path which is still in use.
1906 Lynching
In 1906, a mob broke into the town jail, then lynched three African-American men, Horace Duncan, Fred Coker, and Will Allen. They were hanged and burned by a mob more than 2,000 strong without trial in the town square. The men were hung on the town square from a tower which held a replica of the Statue of Liberty. In the immediate aftermath of the infamous event, two commemorative coins were reportedly issued. The lynching sparked a mass exodus of African-Americans from the area, who still remain a small minority demographic in Springfield. In more recent years, many residents were regretful that the incident occurred. A small plaque on the southeast corner of the square is the town's only reminder.
1926 Birthplace of Route 66
Officially recognized as the birthplace of US Route 66, it was in Springfield on April 30, 1926 that officials first proposed the name of the new Chicago-to-Los Angeles highway.
John T. Woodruff of Springfield was elected as the first president of the U.S. Highway 66 Association, organized in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1927. Its purpose was to get U.S. Highway 66 paved from end to end and to promote tourism on the highway. In 1938, Route 66 became the first completely paved transcontinental highway in America — the “Mother Road” — stretching from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Coast.
A placard in Park Central Square was dedicated to the city by the Route 66 Association of Missouri, and traces of the Mother Road are still visible in downtown Springfield along Kearney Street, Glenstone Avenue, College and St. Louis streets and on Missouri 266 to Halltown. The red booths and gleaming chrome in mom-and-pop diners, the stone cottages of tourist courts and the many service stations along this route saw America fall in love with the automobile.
1950s "Crossroads of Country Music"
During the 1950s, Springfield ranked third in the U.S. for originating network television programs behind New York and Hollywood. Five nationally-broadcast television series originated from the city between 1955 and 1961: Ozark Jubilee; its two spin-offs, Junior Jubilee and Five Star Jubilee; Talent Varieties; and The Eddy Arnold Show. All were carried live by ABC except for Five Star Jubilee, shown by NBC on videotape; and all were produced by Springfield's Crossroads TV Productions owned by Ralph D. Foster. Many of biggest names in country music frequently visited or lived in Springfield at the time. City officials estimated the programs meant about 2,000 weekly visitors and "over $1,000,000 in fresh income."
Staged at the Jewell Theatre (demolished in 1961), Ozark Jubilee was the first country music TV show to feature well-known performers and attract a significant national audience. Five Star Jubilee, produced from the Landers Theatre, was the first color television program to originate outside of New York City or Hollywood. Ironically, Springfield's NBC affiliate, KYTV-TV (which helped to produce the program), was not equipped to broadcast in color and aired the show in black-and-white.
The ABC, NBC and Mutual radio networks also all carried country music shows nationally from Springfield during the decade.
The Ozark Hillbilly Medallion
The Springfield Chamber of Commerce once presented visiting dignitaries with an "Ozark Hillbilly Medallion" and a certificate proclaiming the honoree a "hillbilly of the Ozarks." On June 7, 1953, President Harry Truman at the Shrine Mosque for the 35th Division Association. Other recipients included US Army generals Omar Bradley and Matthew Ridgeway, J. C. Penny, Johnny Olson and Ralph Story.
Geography
Springfield is located at (37.195098, -93.286213), on the Springfield Plateau of the Ozarks. The terrain is generally flat with natural streams and karst topography and supports a variety of native trees and plants.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 73.8 square miles (191.1 km²), of which, 73.2 square miles (189.5 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.7 km²) of it (0.87%) is water.
Climate
Springfield enjoys four distinct seasons characterized by an abundance of sunshine, low wind velocity, mild temperatures and favorable humidity. The Midwestern Regional Climate Center reports annual precipitation in Springfield is , including an average of snow.
According to Forbes magazine's list of "America's Wildest Weather Cities" and the Weather Variety Index, Springfield is the city with the most varied weather in the United States.
| Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures | | Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|
| Rec High °F | 76 | 81 | 87 | 93 | 93 | 101 | 113 | 106 | 104 | 93 | 81 | 77 |
|---|
| Norm High °F | 41.6 | 47.7 | 57.8 | 67.7 | 75.9 | 84.6 | 89.9 | 89.5 | 81.2 | 70.6 | 56.4 | 45.5 |
|---|
| Norm Low °F | 21.8 | 26.4 | 34.9 | 43.6 | 53.4 | 62.2 | 67.1 | 65.6 | 57.4 | 46.1 | 35.3 | 25.9 |
|---|
| Rec Low °F | -13 | -17 | -3 | 18 | 30 | 42 | 44 | 44 | 31 | 18 | 4 | -16 |
|---|
| Precip (in) | 2.11 | 2.28 | 3.82 | 4.31 | 4.57 | 5.02 | 3.56 | 3.37 | 4.83 | 3.47 | 4.46 | 3.17 |
|---|
| Source: USTravelWeather.com |
Demographics
According to the US Census 2000, 151,580 people, 64,691 households, and 35,709 families resided in the city. The population density was 2,072.0 people per square mile (800.0/km²). There were 69,650 housing units at an average density of 952.1/sq mi (367.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.69% White, 3.27% African American, 0.75% Native American, 1.36% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.88% from other races, and 1.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.31% of the population.
There were 64,691 households out of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.7% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.8% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the city 19.9% were under the age of 18, 17.4% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,563, and the median income for a family was $38,114. Males had a median income of $27,778 versus $20,980 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,711. About 9.9% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Springfield’s economy is based on health care, manufacturing, retail, education and tourism. The city’s gross metro product was $14.7 billion in 2005, 127th of 361 U.S. metro areas ranked by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows employment by sector as:
1. Education and Health Services 35,000 (17.4%)
2. Retail Trade 25,700 (12.8%)
3. Government 26,500 (13.2%)
4. Leisure and Hospitality 19,400 (9.7%)
5. Professional and Business Services 19,200 (9.6%)
6. Manufacturing 18,200 (9.1%)
Springfield’s top 10 employers in 2008 were St. John’s Health System (7,717), CoxHealth (6,834), Wal-Mart Stores (3,927), Springfield Public Schools (2,822),
Missouri State University (2,772), United States Government (2,540), Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Marine (2,525), State of Missouri (2,283), City of Springfield (1,842) and Citizens Memorial Healthcare (1,600).
Nearly 900 doctors, 170 dentists and 5,300 nurses, 400 pharmacists, 600 therapists, 300 radiologists, and 500 emergency medical technicians and paramedics work in Springfield.
More than 18,000 people are employed in manufacturing. The city’s largest manufacturers in terms of employment include the Paul Mueller Company, Kraft Foods, Hutchens Industries, SRC Holdings, Loren Cook Company, Positronic Industries, Regal-Beloit, Carlisle Power Transmission, Solo Cup, Northrup Grumman Interconnect Technologies, Reckitt Benckiser and 3M.
Bass Pro Shops, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, BKD, LLP, Noble & Associates, Assemblies of God and O'Reilly Auto Parts have their national headquarters in Springfield.
Springfield is a regional shopping center serving a large geographic area, including Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas. It is the third-largest market in the state and one of the top 150 U.S. markets. Total retail sales exceed $4.1 billion annually in Springfield and $5.8 billion in the Springfield MSA. Its largest shopping mall is Battlefield Mall.
According to the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, an estimated 3 million overnight visitors and millions of day-trippers visit the city annually. The city has more than 60 lodging facilities and 6,000 hotel rooms. The Convention & Visitors Bureau spends more than $1 million annually marketing the city as a travel destination.
The Springfield Economic Area is a 29-county region with a population of more than 977,728. The Economic Area includes the following counties in Missouri: Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Greene, Hickory, Howell, Laclede, Lawrence, Oregon, Ozark, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Shannon, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright. Also included are five counties in Arkansas: Baxter, Boone, Carroll, Marion and Newton.
Arts and culture
Like many cities across the nation, Springfield has seen a major resurgence in its downtown area. Many of the older buildings have been, and are continuing to be, renovated into mixed-use buildings such as lofts, office space, restaurants, bars, boutiques, and music venues. There are currently more than 400 lofts in downtown Springfield, but the city expects there to be more than 1,200 by 2012.
Located within the Downtown Springfield CID (Community Improvement District) are historic theaters that have been restored to their original state, including the Gillioz Theater and the Landers Theatre.
In 2001 the first phase of the Jordan Valley Park opened along with the Mediacom Ice Park. 2001 also saw the opening of The Creamery Arts Center, a city-owned building inside Jordan Valley Park. It is home to the Springfield Regional Arts Council, Springfield Regional Opera, Springfield Ballet, and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (2007) and provides office and meeting space for other arts organizations which serve the community. The center has been recently renovated to include two art galleries with monthly exhibitions, an Arts Library, rehearsal studios, and classrooms offering art workshops and hands-on activities. The facilities also include a one-of-a-kind outdoor classroom.
The Springfield Exposition Center opened in 2003 and development continues in the area.
Annual cultural events
- Artsfest -- first weekend in May
- Cider Days on Historic Walnut Street -- September
- Cherry Blossom Kite Festival in Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden -- spring
- Dream Big Festival in Jordan Valley Park -- summer
- Japanese Fall Festival in Mizumoto Stroll Garden
- Holiday Festival of Lights in Jordan Valley Park
- First Night Springfield -- New Year's Eve downtown
- Show-Me Missouri International Film Festival -- winter
- Visioncon -- winter
Other annual events
Winter
- Big Smith & BBQ
- Lawn & Garden Show
- Sertoma Chili Cook-Off
- HorseFest
Spring
- Earth Day - Discovery Center Free Family Fun Day
- Spring Fishing Classic at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World
- Teddy Bear Rally at Dickerson Park Zoo
Summer
- SnowFest at Jordan Valley Park
- Mid-America Street Rod Nationals
- Firefall
- I Love America! Fireworks Celebration
- Ozark Empire Fair
- Fall Hunting Classic
- Greater Ozarks Blues Festival
- Moonlight Bike Ride
Fall
- Ozark Fall Farmfest
- Art in the Park
- Spooktacular
- Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Fitness Festival
Museums and other points of interest
- Air & Military Museum of the Ozarks
- Battle of Springfield Driving Tour
- Civil War Library at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
- Dr. Michael J. Clarke History Museum of Ozarks Scouting
- Commercial Street Historic District
- Founders Park
- Gray-Campbell Farmstead
- History Museum for Springfield-Greene County
- Jewell Theatre marker - Jubilee Park
- Railroad Historical Museum (closed)
- Springfield Art Museum
- The Creamery Arts Center
- Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
- US Route 66 marker
- Wild Bill Hickok–Davis Tutt shootout site
National Register of Historic Places
*Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque
Attractions
Sports and recreation
Any sport, any fitness regimen, any need for relaxation or competition can be met through 92 parks, 3 golf courses, a zoo and other facilities owned or managed by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board. The mission to take parks to another level is evidenced with programs such as Hearts ‘n Parks, which encourages people to enjoy a more active lifestyle. The Community Olympic Development Program fosters efforts in tennis, weightlifting, ice hockey and volleyball.
The department is incorporating a network of linear parks and trails that run near and around geologically unique areas of the Ozarks, such as creek beds and springs. These parks and greenways protect the environment and the animals that make a habitat in them, in addition to offering play space.
A nationally-known organization, the Parks Department’s efforts were recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association in 2000 when named a Gold Medal Award winner. In 2003, Springfield-Greene County was named Missouri Sportstown USA by Sports Illustrated magazine. The facilities have also been host to state, local and national tournaments in softball, soccer, hockey and tennis.
Whether area residents and visitors wish to quietly meander preserved lands or skateboard at the Skatepark, there is something for everyone – in the area becoming known as a community set in a park. Take your pick, choose your activity, and take part.
Springfield has two professional sports teams: the Springfield Cardinals, a double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals; the Springfield Lasers professional tennis team; college teams including the Missouri State Bears and the Drury University Panthers; and many amateur sporting events. The city is also home to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
Six recreational lakes are within of Springfield. Table Rock Lake and the Branson entertainment area are within .
Sports venues
Government
Springfield city government is based on the council-manager system. By charter, the city has eight council members, each elected for a four-year term on a non-partisan basis, and a mayor elected for a two-year term. The mayor is Thomas Carlson (term expires 2009).
The city manager, appointed by the council to be the city's chief executive and administrative officer, enforces the laws as required by the city charter. The presiding officer at council meetings is the mayor. Council meetings are held every other Monday night in City Council Chambers.
City council elections are held the first Tuesday in April.
Education
The public high schools in Springfield are Central High School, Kickapoo High School (attended by Brad Pitt and Lucas Grabeel), Hillcrest High School, Parkview High School, and Glendale High School. Private schools include Springfield Sudbury School, The Summit Preparatory School and Greenwood Laboratory School. Private Christian schools in Springfield include New Covenant Academy, Springfield Lutheran School, Springfield Catholic High School, and Christian Schools of Springfield.
Springfield offers a variety of higher education opportunities with student enrollment of nearly 42,200. Colleges and universities include the state's second-largest university, Missouri State University (known until 2005 as Southwest Missouri State University, or SMSU), Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Baptist Bible College, Central Bible College, Drury University (known as Drury College until 2000) (attended by Bob Barker), Evangel University (known until 2000 as Evangel College, or EC), Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, Ozarks Technical Community College, St. John's College of Nursing and Health Sciences of Southwest Baptist University, Vatterott College, Everest College, Cox College (nursing school), Webster University, and Bryan College.
There are also three cosmetology schools: Academy of Hair Design, The System (a Paul Mitchell school) and Missouri College of Cosmetology (a Pivot Point school).
Media
Newspapers
Television
Radio
Magazines
- 417 Magazine
- The Apple Magazine
- Downtown Now
- Ozarks Signature
- Senior Living
Infrastructure
Transportation
Springfield is served by Interstate 44 which connects the city with St. Louis, Missouri and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Route 13 (Kansas Expressway) carries traffic north towards Kansas City, Missouri.
U.S. Route 60, U.S. Route 65, and U.S. Route 160 pass through the city. Formerly U.S. Route 66 and U.S. Route 166 passed through Springfield, and sections of historic US 66 can still be seen in the city. US 166's eastern terminus was once located in the northeast section of the city, and US 60 originally ended (westbound) in downtown Springfield. US 60 now goes through town on the James River Freeway.
Major streets include Glenstone Avenue, Sunshine Street (Missouri Route 413), National Avenue, Division Street, Campbell Avenue, Kansas Expressway, Battlefield Road, Republic Road, West Bypass, Chestnut Expressway and Kearney Street.
Springfield has public transportation operated by City Utilities (CU) that serves most areas inside the city limits with its fleet of biodiesel-fueled buses.
Airport
Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) serves the city with direct flights to 12 cities with 33 daily flights. It is the principal air gateway to Springfield region.
In May 2009, after three years of construction, the airport will open its new passenger terminal. Financing included $97 million in revenue bonds issued by the airport and $20 million of discretionary federal aviation funds, with no city taxes used. The new building includes , 10 gates (expandable to 60) and 1,826 parking spaces.
Direct connections from Springfield are available to Atlanta, St.Peterburg/Clearwater, Chicago, St. Louis, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Orlando, Memphis, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Minneapolis and soon Los Angeles. Future connections may include Daytona Beach, New York City and destinations in the Caribbean. No international flights currently have regular service into Springfield-Branson, but it does serve international charters.
Railroads
Passenger trains have not served Springfield since 1967, but more than 65 freight trains travel to, from, and through the city each day. Springfield was once home to the headquarters and main shops of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad (Frisco). The Frisco was absorbed by the Burlington Northern (BN) in 1980, and in 1994 the BN merged with the Santa Fe, creating the current Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway.
BNSF has three switch yards (two small) in Springfield. Mainlines to and from Kansas City, St. Louis, Memphis and Tulsa converge at the railroad's yard facility in the north part of the city. In October 2006, BNSF announced plans to upgrade its Tulsa and Memphis mainlines into Springfield to handle an additional four to six daily intermodal freight trains between the West Coast and the Southeast.
The Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad also operates several miles of (former Missouri Pacific) industrial trackage within the city.
In 2006, the Missouri Department of Transportation and Amtrak studied the possibility of restoring service to the city from St. Louis. The proposed service would have utilized the current BNSF "Cuba Subdivision" mainline between the two cities via Rolla. The plan, however, did not materialize.
Utilities
City Utilities of Springfield (CU) is a community-owned utility cooperative serving southwest Missouri with electricity, natural gas, water, telecommunications and transit services. CU provides service to over 106,000 customers.
Healthcare
Springfield is a regional medical center with six hospitals and more than 2,200 beds. The city's health care system offers every specialty listed by the American Medical Association.
Two of the top 100 hospitals in the U.S. (CoxHealth Systems and St. John’s Health System) are located in Springfield, and both are in the midst of expansion projects. The industry employs 30,000 people throughout the Springfield metro area.
The United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners, one of six federal institutions designed to handle the medical concerns of federal inmates, is located at the corner of W. Sunshine Street and Kansas Expressway.
Notable natives and residents
Sister cities
Springfield has three sister cities:
Isesaki, Japan
Tlaquepaque, Mexico
Tours, France
External links
|
| |
|
|
