1880 Census
Newspaper articles give interesting background on the 1880 Federal Census; including the amount of pay enumerators received.
Local History - Articles
FAA building
Hank Billings, author, and Betty Love, photographer, give a behind the scene glimpse of the Springfield Airport in 1961.
The Green Book
For many Americans, the 1950's were a golden age of driving. 
For African Americans, travel along Route 66 was a challenge that required them to pack their own provisions because they could not count on receiving goods or services, regardless of how much money they had.
Rothermel Mill
_75x56.jpg)
A short history of the Greene County Roller Mill that was later known as the Rothermel Brothers Milling Company.
Kilties
What did it take to be a Kiltie? This short article covers some of the requirements sophomore girls needed to meet to become a member of the marching group in 1953.
Fern Nance Shumate
The obituary of Fern Elaine Nance Shumate gives a history of a local journalist and author and a glimpse into her full life.
Lon Warford
Lon Warford reflects on his forty-five year service with City Utilities, from 1908 to 1953. He gives an inside look at the care needed to maintain the old carbon arc street lights.
Old deed
A Dade County deed filed forty-six years after the land was sold, was filed in the recorder's office in 1896. Bledsoe Holder had originally received the land for his military service in the War of 1812.
Aut Swenson
Austyn Olin ‘Aut’ Swenson, founder of the Swenson Thrillcade auto show, died in 1986. In his life he drove in auto shows, was an Air Force instructor, founded Austyn’s Greater Flying Circus and pioneered a 100 mile auto race in Florida in 1935.
MoreMass at Midnight 1900
1_45x58.jpg)
Special Papal permission was given to have mass at midnight on December 31 in 1899 and 1900, to celebrate the Holy Year decreed by the pontiff.
Salvation Army
In 1922, Captain and Mrs. Malcolm Keene of the local Salvation Army played a prominent role in making Christmas a happy one for hundreds of poor.
Christmas Celebrations
Fall by the Wayside: Springfield enjoyed an uncommonly quiet Christmas Eve in 1908.
Y.M.C.A. Thanksgiving
The Y.M.C.A had a turkey dinner for anyone who had brought in a new member.
Thanksgiving in 1918
The "Mansfield Mirror" appeals to readers to make Thanksgiving special to the World War 1 troops overseas.
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.
Stay Informed
You can receive the latest Local History articles via email or, via RSS feed. Signing up is quick and easy, just click the applicable link below.
Email list RSS feed