Springfield, Oregon#Public safety

The first inhabitants to the area were the Kalapuya people. Also sometimes written as Calapooia or Calapooya, the people maintained the valley and their main food sources by controlled burning.{{Cite web |url=https://oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/anthropogenic_fire/#.W-9Up_lKheM |title=Fire in Early Oregon |website=Oregon Encyclopedia |access-date=November 17, 2018 |archive-date=November 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117063249/https://oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/anthropogenic_fire/#.W-9Up_lKheM |url-status=live }}

Springfield was settled when Elias and Mary Briggs and their family arrived in 1848. They were among the first party to travel to the region via the "Southern Route" by Klamath Lake, over the Cascades, into the Rogue Valley, then north to the Willamette Valley.{{cite web |title=Early History of Springfield, Oregon |url=http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/history.htm |url-status=dead |publisher=City of Springfield |access-date=March 31, 2010 |archive-date=November 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118150032/http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/history.htm}} Elias Briggs along with William Stevens ran a ferry on the nearby Willamette River.

According to donation land claim records, Stevens was the first settler to stake a claim in the Springfield locale, arriving in October 1847. He commenced building a house with his three oldest sons, and when the house was completed in December, the rest of his family joined him on Christmas Day that year.

Another early arrival in the Springfield vicinity was Captain Felix Scott Sr., who settled between the McKenzie and Willamette rivers in 1847.

In 1854 Springfield School District No. 19 was formed. A small schoolhouse was built near the corner of south 7th and B streets; it served the community until the 1880s. Miss Agnes Stewart, a young woman from Pennsylvania, was the first teacher. She had arrived in Springfield via the Lost Wagon Train of 1853.

In May 1992 the municipality became the first in the United States to include anti-gay legislation in its city charter after a campaign by the Oregon Citizens Alliance.{{Cite news |title=Oregon to vote on plan to allow bias against gays. Conservative group forces a referendum |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1992/08/16/oregon-to-vote-on-plan-to-allow-bias-against-gays-conservative-group-forces-a-referendum/ |agency=New York Times News Service |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=August 16, 1992 |access-date=April 10, 2011 |quote=The campaign was used successfully by Mr. Mabon's group in May, when the Oregon town of Springfield voted, by 55 percent to 45 percent, to become the nation's first municipality to include anti-gay language in its city charter. |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308052227/https://www.baltimoresun.com/ |url-status=live }} However, the state legislature later passed a law that prevented anti-gay ordinances from being enforced.{{Cite news |last=Neville |first=Paul |title=Appeals court deals setback to gay rights foes |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zHAVAAAAIBAJ&pg=2905,3081538 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Eugene, Oregon |date=April 13, 1995 |page=1 |access-date=April 10, 2011 |quote=The Oregon Court of Appeals upheld a state law Wednesday that bars cities and counties from enforcing anti-gay rights ordinances. }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

For years, the economy of Springfield hinged on the timber industry, with the largest employer being Weyerhaeuser Company. Weyerhaeuser opened its Springfield complex in 1949, and after years of aggressive logging was forced to downsize as old growth lumber became less available. In the 1990s, the Weyerhaeuser sawmill and veneer (plywood) plants closed, and the paper plant was downsized. Springfield has now developed a more diversified economy.

Ken Kesey's brother Chuck, and Chuck's wife Sue, started the Springfield Creamery in 1960. The business survives today based partly on sales of their flagship product, Nancy's Yogurt, developed from recipes of Nancy Hamren. In the 1970s, the creamery avoided bankruptcy with the help of the rock band Grateful Dead, who over time held a series of 10 benefit concerts on behalf of the creamery. The documentary film Sunshine Daydream was shot at the first performance August 27, 1972.{{cite web |url=http://www.sunshinedaydream.gd/review.html |title=Review of Sunshine Daydream |author=Blair Jackson |work=Blair's Golden Road Blog |date=2012 |access-date=March 20, 2016 |archive-date=March 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330094027/http://www.sunshinedaydream.gd/review.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://projects.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/business/25202817-41/question-business-kesey-creamery-doing.csp |title=50 years in the creamery |author=Diane Dietz |date=September 6, 2010 |work=Register-Guard |quote=We had some debts that had to get paid, so we said, "Well, what do you think? Do you think the Dead would come up and do a benefit concert for us?" My brother-in-law (and Chuck's brother) Ken Kesey said, "I don't know why not. You might as well ask them." |access-date=March 20, 2016 |archive-date=March 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331115604/http://projects.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/business/25202817-41/question-business-kesey-creamery-doing.csp |url-status=live }}

Springfield is surrounded by filbert (hazelnut) orchards. The production has declined over time as fields have been developed into housing. The city used to be sponsor an annual Filbert Festival in early August as a general summer celebration, featuring music, food, and family fun; it was canceled in 2007 due to withdrawal of a key sponsor, and the future for the festival is uncertain. Filbert harvesting occurs in October. 98% of American filbert production is harvested in the Willamette Valley.[http://www.uga.edu/fruit/hazelnut.html http://www.uga.edu/fruit/hazelnut.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528161426/http://www.uga.edu/fruit/hazelnut.html |date=May 28, 2010 }} uga.edu

Springfield is home to two hospitals, McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center and PeaceHealth's Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend.

According to the City's 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,{{cite web |url=http://www.springfield-or.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/FY18-CAFR-FINAL.pdf |title=City of Springfield 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report |access-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014165345/http://www.springfield-or.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/FY18-CAFR-FINAL.pdf |url-status=live }} the largest employers in the city are:

File:City Hall Steps (Springfield, Oregon).jpg

Springfield has a council–manager form of government. The current mayor of Springfield is Sean VanGordon, and the city manager is Nancy Newton.{{cite web |title=Springfield City Manager's Office |url=http://www.springfield-or.gov/city/city-managers-office/ |access-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302140653/https://www.springfield-or.gov/city/city-managers-office/ |url-status=live }} The city council comprises members from six wards. The current council members are:{{cite web |title=Springfield City Council |url=http://www.springfield-or.gov/city/mayor-and-city-council/council/ |publisher=City of Springfield, Oregon |access-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122004904/https://www.springfield-or.gov/city/mayor-and-city-council/council/ |url-status=live }}

• Ward 1: Michelle Webber (Council President)
• Ward 2: Steve Moe
• Ward 3: Kori Rodley
• Ward 4: Beth Blackwell
• Ward 5: Victoria Doyle
• Ward 6: Alan Stout

The Springfield Police Department and Eugene Springfield Fire are the city's public safety agencies.{{cite web |title=SPD Website |url=http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/Police/home.html |access-date=April 28, 2010 |archive-date=October 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027161350/http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/police/home.html |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=Eugene Springfield Fire website |url=http://www.springfield-or.gov/dept_fir.htm |access-date=December 13, 2016 |archive-date=November 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128201831/http://springfield-or.gov/dept_fir.htm |url-status=live }} The Springfield police department is currently under investigation due to allegations of sexual misconduct made by a female former officer.{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Jacob |date=Mar 5, 2021 |title=Former female Springfield police trainee alleges harassment, discrimination |url=https://www.kezi.com/content/news/Former-female-Springfield-police-trainee-alleges-harassment-discrimination--573912931.html |access-date=2021-06-06 |website=KEZI News |language=en |archive-date=June 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606174209/https://www.kezi.com/content/news/Former-female-Springfield-police-trainee-alleges-harassment-discrimination--573912931.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Jung |first=Jaewon |date=Jun 4, 2021 |title=Springfield Police sergeant fired amid sex misconduct allegations |url=https://www.kezi.com/content/news/Springfield-Police-sergeant-terminated-amidst-sex-misconduct-allegations-574564501.html |access-date=2021-06-06 |website=KEZI News |language=en |archive-date=June 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606174211/https://www.kezi.com/content/news/Springfield-Police-sergeant-terminated-amidst-sex-misconduct-allegations-574564501.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Banta |first=Megan |date=May 19, 2021 |title=Springfield Police Chief retiring, as investigation goes on; city appoints former Portland assistant chief as interim |url=https://www.registerguard.com/story/news/2021/05/19/springfield-police-chief-richard-lewis-retiring-effective-june-1/5173026001/ |access-date=2021-06-06 |website=The Register-Guard |language=en-US |archive-date=June 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606174208/https://www.registerguard.com/story/news/2021/05/19/springfield-police-chief-richard-lewis-retiring-effective-june-1/5173026001/ |url-status=live }}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{cvt|15.75|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{cvt|15.74|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{cvt|0.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2012-12-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 25, 2012 |df=mdy-all}}

The McKenzie River forms the northern city limits.

Springfield does not have any official neighborhood designations. Unofficial neighborhood areas include:

• Gateway
• Glenwood
• North Springfield
• Thurston
• Washburne Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Meadow Park
• Kelly Butte
• West Kelly Butte

{{US Census population

|1860= 198

|1870= 200

|1880= 160

|1890= 371

|1900= 353

|1910= 1838

|1920= 1855

|1930= 2364

|1940= 3805

|1950= 10807

|1960= 19616

|1970= 27047

|1980= 41624

|1990= 44683

|2000= 52864

|2010= 59403

|2020= 61851

|footnote=Source:{{cite web |title=American FactFinder: Oregon population |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST13&prodType=table |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=March 3, 2011}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}Moffatt, Riley. Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850–1990. Lanham: Scarecrow, 1996, 216.
U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |author=United States Census Bureau |author-link=United States Census Bureau |access-date=September 26, 2014 |archive-date=April 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426102944/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html |url-status=live }}
2018 Estimate{{cite web |title=Population Estimates |url=https://census.gov/data/tables/2018/demo/popest/total-cities-and-towns.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=June 8, 2018 |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328165215/https://census.gov/data/tables/2018/demo/popest/total-cities-and-towns.html |url-status=live }}
{{cite web |url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:41&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108 |title=Census Population API |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=Oct 12, 2022 |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213085226/https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:41&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108 |url-status=live }}

}}

As of the census{{cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov/ |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2012-12-21 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }} of 2010, there were 59,403 people, 23,665 households, and 14,737 families residing in the city. The population density was {{cvt|3774.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 24,809 housing units at an average density of {{cvt|1576.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 85.9% White, 1.1% African American, 1.4% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 5.2% from other races, and 4.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.1% of the population.

There were 23,665 households, of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.7% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the city was 34.5 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 11.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

Author Ken Kesey moved to Springfield when he was young and graduated from Springfield High School before moving on to the nearby University of Oregon. After some years of wandering (described in The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe), Kesey bought a farm in nearby Pleasant Hill and remained a prominent local celebrity until his death in 2001.

The Springfield Public Library is located within city hall.{{cite web |title=SPL Downtown City Hall. |url=http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/library/ |access-date=April 30, 2010 |archive-date=August 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827063209/http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/library/ |url-status=dead}} The city hall itself is home to a seal of the city of Springfield, created out of unusual items from the city's sewer system.Sign next to the seal, locked inside of a display case. On display in Springfield City Hall.{{cite web |title=Sewer Art at the Oregon State Capitol |url=https://countrytraveleronline.com/2015/10/06/the-travel-doctor-recommends-sewer-art/ |website=Country Traveler Online |access-date=25 May 2021 |date=2015-10-06 |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128152550/https://countrytraveleronline.com/2015/10/06/the-travel-doctor-recommends-sewer-art/ |url-status=live }} The seal and its creator, Russell Ziolkowski, were featured on The Tonight Show and On the Road with Charles Kuralt.

Richard E. Wildish Community Theater (Wildish Community Theater) on Main Street in downtown Springfield is a complete renovation of the historic McKenzie Theater and opened in December 2006.{{cite web |title=Wildish Theater has sizeable impact on Springfield Community |url=https://www.registerguard.com/story/entertainment/2020/04/18/wildish-theater-has-sizable-impact/1335845007/}}

The theater seats 284 people and is designed to host music concerts and recitals, dance, drama, festivals, and small musicals.{{cite web |title=Theater to die for |date=August 3, 2023 |url=https://eugeneweekly.com/2023/08/03/theater-to-die-for/}} The Springfield Renaissance Development Corporation spearheaded the six-year renovation project, completed for $3.1  million.{{cite web |title=A3 to manage Wildish Theater |date=March 4, 2013 |url=https://kval.com/archive/a3-to-manage-wildish-theater}}

On March 7, 2016, Springfield formally recognized the Una Nation of Mixed-Bloods for their service to mixed-blood Native Americans.{{cite web |title=03/07/2016 Regular Session |url=https://laserfiche.springfield-or.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=1274041&dbid=0&repo=City-of-Springfield-Laserfiche}}

Most of Springfield is in the Springfield School District, while some portions in the west are in the Eugene School District 4J.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st41_or/schooldistrict_maps/c41039_lane/DC20SD_C41039.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lane County, OR|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|pages=1-2 (PDF p. 2-3/3)|access-date=2024-03-10}}

There are 15 elementary schools, four middle schools, and four high schools in the Springfield School District, making it one of the largest in the state.{{cite web |title=SPS |url=http://www.sps.lane.edu/1577101121196317/site/default.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326150849/http://www.sps.lane.edu/1577101121196317/site/default.asp |archive-date=March 26, 2010 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |title=SPS- Homepage. |url=http://www.sps.lane.edu/sps/site/default.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903054207/http://www.sps.lane.edu/sps/site/default.asp |archive-date=September 3, 2011 |df=mdy-all}} The largest public high schools, by enrollment, are Thurston High School and Springfield High School.

Lane County is in the Lane Community College district.{{cite web|url=https://www.clatsopcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/02-2-OR-CC-color-map.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.clatsopcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/02-2-OR-CC-color-map.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Oregon Community Colleges and Community College Districts|publisher=Oregon Department of Community Colleges & Workforce Development|accessdate=March 11, 2024}}

Pioneer Pacific College also had a campus in the Gateway area of Springfield.{{cite web |title=PPC |url=http://www.pioneerpacific.edu/ |access-date=May 7, 2010 |archive-date=January 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114072247/http://www.pioneerpacific.edu/ |url-status=dead}}

The city took third in the voting to choose one of the sixteen possible Springfields in the U.S. to host the premiere of The Simpsons Movie."[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/springfields-vie-for-simpsons-premiere-09-03-2007/ Springfields Vie For "Simpsons" Premiere] ." CBS News. March 9, 2007. Retrieved on March 9, 2007. The show's creator, Oregon resident Matt Groening, sent a plaque to the city of Springfield that stated, in part "Yo to Springfield, Oregon – the real Springfield."{{Cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eV5WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=d_ADAAAAIBAJ&hl=pt-BR&pg=6297%2C5983061 |title=The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon, USA |access-date=November 16, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117041447/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eV5WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=d_ADAAAAIBAJ&hl=pt-BR&pg=6297%2C5983061 |url-status=live }} In April 2012, Groening confirmed to Smithsonian magazine that he named the fictional Springfield after Springfield, Oregon. He also confirmed that he intentionally left it a secret to allow people the enjoyment of assuming it was based on their own Springfield.{{cite journal |last=De La Roca |first=Claudia |title=Matt Groening Reveals the Location of the Real Springfield |url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/Matt-Groening-Reveals-the-Location-of-the-Real-Springfield.html |journal=Smithsonian |date=May 2012 |access-date=November 9, 2013 |archive-date=December 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217165744/http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/Matt-Groening-Reveals-the-Location-of-the-Real-Springfield.html |url-status=dead }}

• Sheila Bleck, IFBB professional bodybuilder
• John Charles Bolsinger, serial killer
• Anthony W. Case, survivor of the 1998 high school shooting who later became an astrophysicist
• Colby Covington, mixed martial arts fighter
• Peter DeFazio, U.S. Representative for Oregon's 4th congressional district
• Bill Dellinger, Olympic athlete and former University of Oregon track coach
• Diane Downs, child murderer arrested and jailed in Springfield
• Clint Eastwood, actor, log bronc operator for Weyerhaeuser in Springfield
• Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons
• Ken Kesey, author
• Eric Millegan, Broadway and television actor
• Mickey Newbury, American songwriter, recording artist, member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
• Steve Reeves, actor and body builder
• Mercedes Russell, professional basketball player for the WNBA
• Travis Smith, Major League Baseball player
• Dan Straily (born 1988), starting pitcher in the Philadelphia Phillies organization
• Robert W. Straub, Oregon governor
• Theodore Sturgeon, science fiction author
• Shoshana R. Ungerleider, physician and film producer
• Dave Wolverton, novelist and writer

This region experiences hot and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above {{cvt|71.6|°F|°C}}. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Springfield has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.{{Cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=726930&cityname=Springfield%2C+Oregon%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |title=Climate Summary for Springfield, Oregon |access-date=January 22, 2014 |archive-date=July 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724001521/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=726930&cityname=Springfield%2C+Oregon%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |url-status=live }}

• Hayden Bridge (Springfield, Oregon)—a historic bridge in the city.

{{Reflist}}

• Anderson, Wendell (2002). Eugene-Springfield: a contemporary portrait. (1st ed.). Montgomery, AL: Community Communications. {{ISBN|9781581920550}}. {{OCLC|50612315}}.
• Dennis, Michelle L. (1999). [https://www.springfield-or.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/SpringfieldHistoricContextStatement.pdf Springfield, Oregon, 1848-1955: historic context statement] . (Rev. ed.). Springfield Development Services Dept.
• {{Cite book |last1=Velasco |first1=Dorothy |title=Springfield, Between Two Rivers: An Illustrated History |last2=Velasco |first2=Mara |publisher=Community Communications |others=Pete Malliris, Kim Sullivan |year=1999 |isbn=1-58192-010-5 |edition=1st |location=Montgomery, AL |lccn=99-36453 |oclc=41601271}}
• Clarke, David W (1983). The Springfield Millrace and early mills. Springfield Historical Commission.
• Williams, Jerold (1983). Springfield: a history. Springfield, OR: Springfield Public Schools, District 19 Communications Dept.

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.springfield-or.gov/ City of Springfield official website]
• [http://www.springfield-chamber.org/ Springfield Chamber of Commerce]
• [https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/local/cities/s-y/springfield.aspx Entry for Springfield] in the Oregon Blue Book
• [http://www.springfield-museum.com Springfield Museum]

{{Lane County, Oregon}}

{{Oregon}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Oregon

Category:Populated places established in 1848

Category:Cities in Lane County, Oregon

Category:1848 establishments in Oregon Territory

Category:Populated places on the Willamette River

Category:The Simpsons