Thanksgiving in 1918
The "Mansfield Mirror" appeals to readers to make Thanksgiving special to the World War 1 troops overseas.
Local History - Articles
Ghosts
The Springfield correspondent for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch interviewed locals to record if they believed in ghosts. Published in 1889, the results show a wide variety of beliefs.
Robert Crow’s Trial
Robert Crow, proprietor of 'Remember the Maine' lunch stand, was taken to court for maintaining a disorderly place of business in 1899.
MoreAutumn Festival 1897
The fourth Fall Festival at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1897, was considered a prominent event in Springfield.
Creed Montgomery Young
Creed Montgomery Young retired as custodian of Lincoln School after fifty years of service.
Southern 500 - A Labor Day classic
Labor Day weekend marks one of the greatest traditions in auto racing -- the running of the Southern 500 at Darlington, South Carolina. Mark Martin, a regular competitor at Springfield's Fairground Speedway, competed in this race in a bid to tie the record for the most consecutive wins in NASCAR's modern era.
Gibson Chapel Dedication
The new Gibson's Chapel, Cumberland Presbyterian, was dedicated in 1892.
Lost Towns
The lost towns and forgotten villages of Greene County were mapped by Arthur Paul Moser.
More
Firefall '82
Springfield's first Firefall concert took place in 1982. With musical entertainment provided by the Springfield Symphony, fireworks were timed to correspond with such selections as the 1812 Overture and God Bless America.
MoreSpringfield Traction Company Expands
Springfield Traction Company expanded streetcar service to cover the new Frisco repair shops in 1909. The new routes would include the Atlantic Street line, north of the shops, and the Park Avenue line, to extend to the south side of the shops.
Temperance Lecturers in 1886
The Springfield Daily Leader announced that temperance lecturer Francis E. W. Harper was coming to town and compared her lectures to another speaker, John Sobieski.
Tent Theatre
Drs. Robert K. Gilmore and Irene Coger, founders of the MSU Tent Theater, were surprised by the turnout of the first season in 1963. Instead, every performance had a full house.
Leon "Abner" Weaver
The death of Leon "Abner" Weaver, famous in vaudeville and movies, was noted in the News & Leader May 28, 1950.
Snow in April
A snow surprise hit Springfield in April 1971.
Lieutenant Colonel Paul A. Frey
In 1931, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Frey was honored by the John J. Pershing Post No. 9 United Spanish War Veterans. He was granted honorary membership in the post.
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