Springfield, Oregon

Lore & Background

The first inhabitants of the Springfield area were the Kalapuya people, who maintained the valley through controlled burning. The Briggs family settled the area in 1848, and the community was incorporated as a city in 1885. The city's name derives from a natural spring located in a field within its boundaries. For most of the 20th century, Springfield's economy relied heavily on the Oregon timber industry, with Weyerhaeuser Company as the largest employer. However, after the closure of its sawmill and veneer plants in the 1990s, the economy diversified, and PeaceHealth became the largest employer.

Reader's Guide

Springfield's significance lies in its transformation from a timber-dependent town to a diversified economy, reflecting broader shifts in the Pacific Northwest. The city gained national attention in 1992 when it became the first U.S. municipality to pass anti-gay legislation in its city charter, though the state legislature later prevented enforcement. Culturally, Springfield is associated with author Ken Kesey, who moved there as a child and graduated from Springfield High School. The city also hosts the Springfield Creamery, founded by Ken Kesey's brother Chuck, which was saved from bankruptcy in the 1970s by benefit concerts from the Grateful Dead. Springfield's history includes early settlement by the Kalapuya people and pioneers arriving via the Southern Route, and its geography is defined by the McKenzie River forming its northern limits.

Did You Know?

• Springfield was the first U.S. city to include anti-gay legislation in its city charter in 1992.
• 98% of American filbert (hazelnut) production is harvested in the Willamette Valley, which surrounds Springfield.
• The city's name comes from a natural spring located in a field or prairie within its boundaries.