This Day in Missouri History: Springfield and North Springfield Merge

April 4th, 1887: Springfield and North Springfield become one city.

There is a reason why Division Street has its name. North Springfield and the city of Springfield were two separate municipalities for about 15 years before voters agreed to merge. Division Street had long been the dividing line. On the night the merger was approved, residents gathered on the Springfield square to shoot off fireworks and celebrate. Although Division Street remains, there was an effort to rename it Union Street to help the new city function as a single entity. But the history of Springfield goes so much deeper.

Key Moments in Springfield History

1838 – Springfield incorporated
1863 – Battle of Springfield
1865 – “Wild Bill” Hickok’s Shootout
1887 – Springfield and North Springfield merge
1906 – Tragic lynching on the Springfield square
1906 – Missouri State University’s first classes
1913 – Fire on Park Central Square
1926 – Route 66 Born
1932 – Young Brothers Massacre
1953 – The Great Cobra Scare
1972 – Bass Pro Shops opened
2004 – Hammons Field baseball stadium opened

Springfield Stats

Location: Springfield is located in the southwestern part of Missouri. It serves as the county seat of Greene County.

Population: As of 2024, Census data shows that Springfield has a population of around 170,000 people.

Education: Springfield is home to several institutions of higher education, including Missouri State University, Drury University, Evangel University, and Ozarks Technical Community College. There are 5 public high schools including Kickapoo, Glendale, Hillcrest, Parkview, and Central, along with private high schools including Greenwood, New Covenant Academy, and Springfield Catholic.

Culture: The city has a vibrant cultural scene with theaters, museums, and galleries. The Springfield Art Museum and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra are notable cultural institutions in the area.

Attractions: Springfield features attractions such as the Bass Pro Shops, Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, Dickerson Park Zoo, and the Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park.

Famous Residents

• John Ashcroft, Former United States Attorney General
• Scott Bailes, MLB pitcher
• Bob Barker, Host of The Price is Right
• William C. Price, former Treasurer of the United States
• David Glass, Former CEO of Walmart; Owner of Kansas City Royals
• Lucas Grabeel, Actor, Singer from High School Musical
• Dorial Green-Beckham, NFL player
• David L. Harrison, Children’s Author
• Jack Jewsbury, MLS player
• Jay Kenneth Johnson, Actor
• Jerry Jones, Owner of Dallas Cowboys, worked with his father in Springfield in 1960s
• John Morris, Founder of Bass Pro Shops
• Brad Pitt, Legendary Actor
• Emma J. Ray, Suffragist
• Steve Rogers, 5-time All-Star MLB Pitcher
• Emily Scott, Olympic Speed Skater
• Horton Smith, First Winner of The Master’s
• Payne Stewart, Professional Golfer
• Anthony Tolliver, NBA player
• Kathleen Turner, Actress
• Tom Whitlock, Songwriter
• Adrienne Wilkinson, Actress