Springfield, like many cities, has been known by various nicknames throughout its long history. While the “Birthplace of Route 66” has clear origins, Springfield’s claim as the “Queen City of the Ozarks” is more difficult to track. Unfortunately, the exact origin of the phrase is unknown, and it has been used in a few variations. One of its first appearances in print came on July 8, 1870, when the Springfield Daily Leader reported on a visit to Pierce City by members of the Christian Church. The church members traveled by train to Lawrence County, where they toured the town for three hours before returning to Springfield, “our home—the Queen City of the Southwest.” Later that month, the Daily Leader complained about a heat wave with the remark, “if it keeps on this way, we will have to retract what we have said about the cool temperature of the Queen of the Ozark Mountains.”
The arrival of the railroad in 1870 boosted Springfield’s economy. Around that time, the phrase began to appear more frequently to describe the city’s emergence as the leading commercial center in Southwest Missouri. When Mayor W.A. Hall took office in May 1876, the Weekly Leader endorsed his new administration and encouraged every citizen to support him in making the ‘“Queen City of the Southwest’ the mercantile, manufacturing, and educational emporium of Missouri.” In a long, descriptive article about the bustling city, the Patriot-Advertiser, wrote on December 28, “Springfield sits quietly, peacefully, and prosperously on the summit of the Ozarks, as a royal diadem on the brow of a queen.”
At that time, the population of Springfield was approximately 8,000, and manufacturing was a significant part of the local economy. Best known was the Springfield Wagon Company, but a woolen mill, cotton mill, and iron works also provided jobs for the community. Products were easily shipped nationwide from the depot on Commercial Street in North Springfield. It was estimated that the combined sales of Springfield and North Springfield was nearly $6 million.
It was one thing for Springfieldians to refer to their own city as the “Queen City.” Acknowledgement by other communities, however, illustrated how the phrase had spread throughout Missouri. In May 1878, the Missouri Press Association held its annual convention in Springfield, hosting 150 editors from around the state. The event left visitors with a favorable view of the Ozarks, especially Springfield, as many noted in their editorials. A writer for the Neosho Times said they felt more than welcome to enjoy all the “Queen City of the Ozarks,” had to offer. Representatives from Canton declared that Springfield was indeed, “justly entitled” to declare itself “the Queen City of the Ozarks.” Two years later, however, the White River Herald warned that Springfield might face competition from northern Arkansas for its title. With growing commerce there the paper cautioned, “look out, Springfield, procrastination is the thief of time.”
Springfield’s identity as the Queen City has carried into the 21st century, with the nickname forming the backbone of regional identity efforts. In 2017, the Springfield Identity Project incorporated the Queen City theme into a new flag. The blue and white design featured a “compass crown,” that represented Springfield as the “Queen City,” and a “crossroads to the nation.” After its unveiling, the group began a grassroots movement to make their design the city’s official flag. The new banner was officially raised at a ceremony on March 1, 2022. Speaking on the square as Springfield’s old flag was retired, Mayor Ken McClure asked residents to embrace the new banner “as a way to express your community pride. Let this new flag speak to not only our unique history and identity, but also serve as a symbol of hope, opportunity and the transformative days ahead.”
The photograph accompanying this article is the cover image of “Springfield Greets You,” a 1919 publication from the Springfield Chamber of Commerce.
For Further Reading:
“The Excursion,” Springfield (Mo.) Daily Leader, July 8, 1870, 4.
“Yesterday,” Springfield (Mo.) Daily Leader, July 21, 1870, 4.
“New City Government,” Springfield (Mo.) Leader, May 4, 1876, 2.
“Springfield: The Radiant Queen Of The Ozarks,” Springfield (Mo.) Patriot-Advertiser, December 28, 1876, 2.
“Springfield Statistics,” Springfield (Mo.) Patriot-Advertiser, December 28, 1876, 2.
“Press Comments,” Springfield (Mo.) Weekly Patriot-Advertiser, June 6, 1878, 2.
“The White River Herald,” Springfield (Mo.) Weekly Patriot, February 19, 1880, 3.
“Springfield residents support new city flag,” Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader, September 8, 2021, 1, 6 A.
“’Compass Crown’ flies high across Springfield,” Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader, March 3, 2022, 1, 7 A.
“Springfield Greets You,” Springfield Chamber of Commerce (Springfield, Mo.), 1919, 3.