History of Springfield, Ohio in Timeline
"Springfield is a city in and the county seat of Clark County, Ohio, located about 45 miles west of Columbus and 25 miles northeast of Dayton. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 58,662, while the metropolitan area had 136,001 residents."
January 15, 1902: First 4-H Club Meeting
The first meeting of what would become the 4-H Club was held on January 15, 1902, in the basement of the Clark County Courthouse in Springfield. The club, initially called the "Boys' and Girls' Agricultural Club," was founded by A.B. Graham and focused on projects like food preservation, gardening, and agriculture.
1902: International Harvester Merger
The Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Company, known for its Champion Farm Equipment brand, was absorbed into International Harvester in 1902. International Harvester would later become Navistar International, which still operates in Springfield today.
March 7, 1904: Springfield Race Riot
On March 7, 1904, a white mob lynched Richard Dixon, a black man accused of killing a police officer. The mob then rioted, burning down much of the city's black business district.
1904: Wright Brothers Patent
In 1904, Harry Aubrey Toulmin, Sr., a patent attorney working in Springfield, wrote the patent for the Wright Brothers' invention of the airplane.
February 26, 1906: Springfield Race Riot
On February 26, 1906, an altercation between a white man and a black man sparked another riot in Springfield. This time, rioters burned down a significant portion of the Levee, a predominantly black neighborhood, leaving nearly 100 people homeless.
1908: Westcott House Commission
In 1908, Burton J. Westcott and his wife Orpha commissioned renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design their home in Springfield.
1921: Springfield Race Riot
A race riot occurred in Springfield in 1921. However, contrary to initial reports, the riot was relatively peaceful, with little to no actual rioting.
1957: Crowell-Collier Closure
Crowell-Collier Publishing, once a major employer in Springfield, closed its magazines and sold its local printing plant in 1957.
1962: Opening of Springfield and Clark County Technical Education Program
In 1962, the Springfield and Clark County Technical Education Program was established to provide technical training to residents of Springfield and the surrounding communities.
February 18, 1966: Establishment of Clark County Technical Institute
On February 18, 1966, the Springfield and Clark County Technical Education Program, which had been offering technical training since 1962, was officially chartered as the Clark County Technical Institute. This marked the establishment of Ohio's first technical college to receive sanctioning from the Ohio Board of Regents.
1969: Demolition of New York Central's Big Four Depot
In 1969, the Big Four Depot, which served the New York Central Railroad and provided passenger train service to Cincinnati, Detroit, Cleveland, and New York City, was demolished.
April 30, 1971: Last Passenger Train from Springfield
On April 30, 1971, the last passenger train departed from Springfield. The train, an unnamed remnant of the New York Central's Ohio State Limited, was operated by Penn Central and ran on the Cincinnati-Columbus-Cleveland route.
1971: Upper Valley Mall Opens
The Upper Valley Mall, which served as Springfield's main retail hub, opened in 1971.
1983: "The American Dream" Feature
Newsweek magazine featured Springfield in its 50th-anniversary issue titled "The American Dream" in 1983, highlighting the city as a symbol of economic decline.
1999: Decline in Manufacturing Jobs and Median Income
Starting in 1999, Springfield's economy began a decline marked by a decrease in manufacturing jobs. Between 1999 and 2014, the median income dropped by 27%.
2000: Downtown Revitalization Begins
Springfield began revitalizing its downtown area in the 2000s with new structures like the Ohio Valley Surgical Hospital, Springfield Regional Medical Center, Mother Stewart's Brewing Company, and the Chiller Ice Arena.
2000: Westcott House Purchased for Preservation
The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy purchased the Westcott House in 2000 and then sold it to the newly formed local Westcott House Foundation with a plan for its restoration.
October 2005: Westcott House Restoration Completed
After a five-year, $5.8 million restoration project, the Westcott House, Frank Lloyd Wright's only prairie-style house in Ohio, was opened to the public for tours in October 2005.
2012: Rise in Violent Crime
From 2012 through 2014, Springfield experienced a 21% increase in violent crime, with incidents rising from 618 to 750 per 100,000 people. This period also saw a steady increase in murders and manslaughters.
2013: Establishment of Global Impact STEM Academy
In 2013, the Global Impact STEM Academy, an early-college middle and high school with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, was founded in Springfield.
2014: Decline in Manufacturing Jobs and Median Income
By 2014, Springfield's median income had fallen by 27% since 1999, a significantly steeper decline compared to the 8% national average. This decline was largely attributed to the loss of manufacturing jobs.
2014: Rise in Violent Crime
By 2014, Springfield's violent crime rate reached 750 incidents per 100,000 people, marking a 21% increase from 2012. Murders and manslaughters also rose during this time.
2015: Peak Violent Crime Rate
In 2015, Springfield reached a 14-year high in its violent crime rate. Though the specific rate wasn't provided, this marked the peak of the upward trend observed between 2012 and 2014.
2021: Upper Valley Mall Closes
The Upper Valley Mall permanently closed in 2021.
2023: 4-H Club Birthplace Recognition
In 2023, the Library of Congress officially recognized Springfield, Ohio as the birthplace of the 4-H Club.
2024: Influx of Haitian Refugees
By 2024, an estimated 15,000-20,000 Haitian refugees, many with temporary protected status, settled in Springfield, drawn by the increase in manufacturing jobs. This influx strained city services and housing, leading local politicians to appeal for federal assistance.