Original Spring Field Lost, Not Located
FairCityNews.com | Aug 13, 2009 | Comments 0
Springfield, MO—The spring that fed the field that Springfield was named after hasn’t been seen in several decades. In fact, most area town names now only have a vague symbolic relationship to the geographic area that once featured prominent landmarks.
Springfield History Museum Executive Director said, “there’s no ‘spring’ or ‘field’ in Springfield much like there’s no ‘marsh’ in Marshfield anymore. Or ‘Mexicans’ in Mexico, Missouri or ‘humans’ in Humansville.”
According to City of Springfield archive specialist Hilbert Gillypuddy, the original field that contained the spring, for which this city is named, was covered up by a parking lot in the early 40’s.
“I was there when they paved paradise and put up a parking lot,” said Gillypuddy, who later penned a song documenting the occasion and sold it to BMI recording artist Joni Mitchell who had a hit in 1970. “Yep, I was the first person to put a tree in the Springfield History Museum. I think they charge a dollar and a half to see ‘em,” said Gillypuddy.
Every few generations civilizations will rename their geographic locations, for example Mr. Saint Helens was known by native people as Olum Te Yuiga. In a hundred years from now Springfield or Walnut Grove or Willow Springs could simply be know by a alpha-numeric code such as CIV-284, that signifies the populations’ market size.
In fact, an original science fiction story of how Springfield, MO retains its personality has gained national attention with news that a full feature film staring Kevin Costner is in production and schedule to be called Field of Springs.
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