Springfield

Springfield sits in southwestern Ohio where three waterways meet: Mad River, Buck Creek and Beaver Creek. The city spreads about 45 miles (72 kilometers) west of Columbus and 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Dayton.

James Demint founded the settlement in 1801 and named it after his hometown in Kentucky. The place became the county seat in 1818 after competing with New Boston for that role.

The name comes from Springfield in Massachusetts and was chosen by early settlers who moved here from New England. Today the streets show many buildings from the late 1800s that reflect the time when the city made farming equipment.

The Westcott House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1908 offers guided tours and is the only prairie-style home by him in Ohio. Visitors should plan to walk through downtown since many buildings stand close together.

The nickname Champion City came from the manufacturing of farming machines, especially the Champion Farm Equipment brand. In 1902 A.B. Graham started the first Boys' and Girls' Agricultural Club here, which later became the national 4-H organization.

Location: Clark County

Inception: 1801

Elevation above the sea: 298 m

Shares border with: Urbana

Website: https://springfieldohio.gov

GPS coordinates: 39.92694,-83.80417

Latest update: December 12, 2025 23:21