Situated in the center of some of the best farmland in Minnesota, Springfield is in Brown County. The Big Cottonwood River flows through the southeastern part of the city.
US Highway 14 runs through the northern part of Springfield, serving as the main route through the city. County Roads 3, 5, and 24 also pass through portions of the city. The cities of Cobden and Sanborn are about seven miles northeast and ten miles west, respectively, and the unincorporated community of Dotson is about four miles south.
Parks, green spaces, and recreational areas include the Springfield Golf Course in southern Springfield, Riverside Park, Brown Park, East End Park, North Park, and Sticker Field, which includes two baseball fields. Adjacent to the Riverside Park complex is Rothenburg Campground, with RV and tenting sites. The Springfield Area Community Center is situated on two and a half acres overlooking the Cottonwood River, with Riverside Park to the south and the central business district to the north and west.
Most of the early settlers of the region were Scandinavian, Irish, or German. After the Civil War, people began moving into Minnesota's farmlands.
One of the earliest settlers of the region that would become Springfield was a man named John Burns, who came with his brother, Daniel, in 1869. When the railroad extended its tracks to the area in 1873, the railroad station was known as Burns. The settlement that grew up around the station became known variously as Burns, Burns Station, or Burnstown, and was platted as Burns in 1877.
The first houses were constructed from layers of sod, the roofs made of poles covered by a combination of sod and hay.
When the settlement was incorporated as a village in 1881, it was renamed Springfield, either for a large spring that was located high above the north side of the Cottonwood River, or for the city by that name in Massachusetts.
Two years after Springfield became a village, it had two churches, four stores, a school, a doctor, and about a dozen other businesses.
The first store in Springfield was operated by Michael Gamble, who is believed to have been the man who proposed the new name for the town. He also served as the first postmaster in 1873. An Opera House was built in 1892, serving as a venue for various traveling shows, dances, sports, graduations, and political rallies, as well as hosting the Turner Club, a men's gymnastics group.
As the village grew, the original sod houses were replaced by structures made primarily of brick. At one time, Springfield had five elevators, a brick and tile works, flour mill, and a creamery. In 1930, the Potter Stockyards was established by Ruben Potter on land that he had purchased from his father, former Senator L.E. Potter, in 1919. In 1976, it became the Springfield Stockyard.
Springfield was incorporated as a city in 1923. Since it became a city, its population has remained fairly steady, with relatively minor increases and decreases from one census year to another. Its peak population was 2,701 in 1960.
Springfield is mentioned in Little House on the Prairie as one of the places where Charles Ingalls would travel to on business trips.
Websites representing the City of Springfield or any of its programs or departments are appropriate for this category, as are those of any of Springfield's businesses, churches, schools, organizations, sports or recreational programs, or individuals.
Categories
Faith & Spirituality |
Recommended Resources
City of Springfield, Minnesota
The official municipal website displays news and announcement from the city or its departments, and a guide to city departments and projects, local schools, churches, civic organizations, healthcare facilities, businesses, and recreational opportunities. Information about available commercial or residential real estate, as well as real estate agencies, are presented. Employment opportunities are posted to the site.
https://www.springfieldmn.org/
Located on West Central Street, the Springfield, Minnesota auto dealership specializes in the sale of pre-owned cars, trucks, and SUVs. Available vehicles may be browsed, or sought by popular body styles, make, or model. Featured vehicles are highlighted, and descriptions, mileages, and asking prices are noted. The car lot's address is given, and its location is shown on a map, along with its hours of operation and contacts.
https://www.jpsautos.com/
Specializing on reporting news and activities from Springfield, Minnesota. Local and regional news reports, sports stories, obituaries, and other features are published, including news and events from community organizations and businesses, churches, and other faith-based programs, and schools. Advertising information is put forth, along with school links, subscription prices, and online subscriptions.
http://www.springfieldap.com/
Springfield Chamber of Commerce
The membership organization promotes economic growth in the Springfield, Minnesota region, and provides networking opportunities, referrals, Internet promotions, and other services to member businesses, as well as fostering relationships with local governments and other community sectors. The benefits of membership, dues structure, and a member directory are featured, along with a brochure and city map, and a calendar of events.
http://www.springfieldmnchamber.org/
The location, contacts, and board members of the creamery in Springfield, Minnesota are noted. Its products, which include feed, seed, livestock equipment, grain bins, and fencing materials, as well as Smidley steer stuffers, poultry from the Hoover Hatchery, Ritchie water filters, and Easy Way cattle care products. Its support of the local 4H program, including area county fair dates, is highlighted, and career opportunities are discussed, including an online application.
http://www.springfieldcoopcreamery.com/
The full-service local florist is located on East Central Street in Springfield, Minnesota, offering sympathy floral arrangements and funeral flowers, custom wedding flowers, and house plants and gifts for all occasions. Its products are listed in an online catalog, and may be purchased through the site, for local delivery. Its delivery area is specified, and its location, hours of operation, and customer reviews are included.
https://www.springfieldfloral.com/
Situated along the Cottonwood River on the south side of Springfield, Minnesota, the 9-hole golf course was built in 1956. The course, its full-service course side patio with full bar, overlooking the ninth green, and a menus are published to the site. Its memberships and membership fees are stated, along with driving range passes, handicap fees, cart rentals, car shed rentals, and special offers. Its leagues are introduced, photos of each of greens and holes are included.
http://www.springfieldgolfcourse.net/
Springfield Lanes and the Garage
Featuring an eight-lane bowling alley and full-service restaurant, the lanes opened in the 1940s, and is registered as a historic landmark. Located in Springfield, Minnesota, its bowling facilities are highlighted, including fees and shoe rentals, league play, and schedules, a profile of the business, and the restaurant's menus and hours are stated. Event planning information and contacts are included.
http://www.thelanesandgarage.com/
The library in Springfield, Minnesota began in 1931, when the Women's Literary Club started a Free Public Library, or perhaps as early as 1901, when the Club had sponsored a Traveling Library, set up at a local jewelry store from time to time. A history of the library is provided, its board members and staff are acknowledged, and board minutes are provided. Its location, new arrivals, hours of operation, and a calendar of events are noted.
https://springfieldpubliclibrarymn.org/
Independent School District #85 offers a K-12th grade curriculum through an elementary school and a high school, both located in Springfield, Minnesota. School campus locations, schedules, and contacts are put forth, along with school supply lists, a state report card, strategic plans, workforce reports, and employment opportunities. Staff contacts, extracurricular organizations and activities, and announcements are included.
https://www.springfield.mntm.org/
Highlighting Superior Transportation Services, a student bussing service, and Superior Mobility, which offers non-emergency medical transportation services on a pre-scheduled, 24-hours-a-day basis, every day of the week, the business is based in Springfield, Minnesota. Its services, service area, locations, and client testimonials are featured, and a form for in-town busing transportation and a mobility form may be downloaded from the site.
http://superiortm.com/
