Prehistoric Indian mound builders were probably the first residents of this area. The city name originated from the rich resources of the land, the picturesque cliffs and the many springs and abundant waters in the area.
Approximately 45 miles west of Columbus and 25 miles northeast of Dayton on the banks of the Mad River near Clark Lake and the Clarence J. Brown Reservoir in Clark County, Springfield is the county seat. The city is perhaps best known as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of agricultural equipment as the home of International Harvester Company (now known as Navistar International). The 4-H Club movement had its beginnings in Springfield. As one of Dayton’s earliest outlying settlements, many different periods of growth have contributed to the varied cultures and economic levels.
Houses from the last century survive with newer homes. Many of the older Victorian dwellings are being artfully and carefully restored by young artisans. You must see the older homes found in the South Fountain Historic District. The historic Westcott House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and features Wright’s prairie-style, low-pitched roof home style – the only one of its kind in Ohio. You can also find many newer homes of brick and frame, more modest in size and price.
Springfield is home to Wittenberg University, a private, four-year liberal arts college offering more than 70 majors and special programs.
Transportation
North of I-70, Springfield’s residents use St. Rt. 40 (historic National Road) and 68 to get around town.
Hospitals
Springfield Regional Medical Hospital has 259 hospital beds with general medical and surgical services. The Ohio Valley Medical Center provides both inpatient and outpatient surgical care along with other medical services such as a breast center, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, sports medicine and lab services.
Shopping
Numerous neighborhood retail centers serve residents’ daily needs including the North Bechtel Plaza, Springfield Plaza, Southern Village Shopping Center, and Circus Shopping Center.
Springfield is also home to one of America’s top flea markets, the Springfield Antiques Show and Flea Market and the show’s semi-annual “extravaganza” where one can find 2,000 vendors and 20,000 customers. Additionally, there are several area flea markets for collectible and vintage finds.
Recreation
The 'Heritage Center' located in downtown Springfield offers a glimpse into the town’s rich history. The 'Springfield Museum of Art', (Ohio’s only Smithsonian-affiliated museum), 'Springfield Symphony', 'Clark State Performing Arts Center', 'Ohio Lyric Theatre' and the 'Springfield Arts Council' provide a taste of culture.
The 'National Trails Park and Recreation District' manages over 1,200 acres of parks in the area. The 'Little Miami Scenic Trail' offers a paved rail/trail that reaches from the Buck Creek Scenic Trailhead in Springfield to south in Cincinnati. There are several state parks near Springfield: Buck Creek, John Bryan, Clifton Gorge and Glen Helen Nature Preserve.
There are several golf courses through Springfield. Rocky Lakes Golf Course has nine holes, Reid Memorial Park offers 36 holes, Locust Hills has a 27-hole course. Springfield is home to two country clubs, Northwood Hills and Springfield Country Club.
The 'Hartman Rock Garden' features over 250,000 stones that are eclectically displayed and is open to the public. The annual 'Clark County Fair' is the the second largest fair in Ohio.
Lifestyle
Check out these local highlights by area experts!
Explore Nearby Communities
Dayton, OH
Arts & Entertainment
Dayton Cultural Center - Find out news and information on events being held throughout town and on the Dayton scene.
Dayton Playhouse - Become a part of the playhouse tradition and experience the talent and craft of this community theatre.
Schuster Performing Arts Center - Visit the home of Dayton’s Opera, Philharmonic Orchestra and other local performing arts treasures at one of the nation’s most remarkable performing arts centers.
Dayton Ballet - Treat yourself to performances by the second oldest dance company in the country.
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company - The DCDC was founded in 1968 with the belief that dance transcends the boundaries of race and culture.
Dayton Opera - Providing the best in opera experience for over 40 years.
Dayton Theatre Guild - The Theatre Guild’s performances are nearing 400 total productions of live theater. Anyone with a passion for theater is welcome either as a spectator or participant regardless of prior experience.
Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra - Inspire your imagination with musical sounds from one of the city’s most distinguished cultural institutions.
Fraze Pavilion - Come and celebrate 16 years of premiere outdoor entertainment held in this 4,300 seat amphitheater.
Muse Machine - This nationally recognized arts education organization serves 70,000 students annually in 13 counties of southwestern Ohio and northern Kentucky.
Nutter Center - Don’t miss an opportunity to visit Ohio’s premier spot for sports, concerts and family events.
Human Race Theatre - In its 20th season the Human Race Theatre Company brings the beauty, drama and excitement of professional live theatre to Dayton and southwestern Ohio.
Victoria Theatre Association - Located in the historic Victoria Theatre, the Victoria Theatre Association is Dayton’s premier arts organization for audiences of all ages.
Museums & Attractions
Attractions List from Dayton Convention and Visitors Bureau
Wright Patterson Air Force Museum - Visit the world’s largest and oldest military aviation museum for FREE.
Dayton Air Show - Enjoy a day full of aviation fun held every July.
RiverScape - As one of the Five Rivers MetroParks, Riverscape is dedicated to protecting and inspiring appreciation in Dayton’s natural heritage.
Dayton Art Institute - Visit the art institute often to enjoy world-class special exhibitions, educational programs, special events and their diverse permanent collection.
Dayton Visual Arts Center - The Visual Arts Center is a group of artists and art lovers who believe that a vital visuals arts community is essential to the life of the community.
Fifth Street Gallery - Home to Stivers School for the Arts which offers programs in music, dance, theater, and visual arts as well as quality academics for grades 7-12.
High Street Gallery - This historic gallery is the site of many art shows held either privately or by the Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors.
K12 Gallery for Young People - The K12 gallery, a vibrant organization aimed toward stretching the creative minds of Dayton’s youth, provides them with a true sense of community belonging and respect.
Rutledge Gallery - Located in downtown Dayton, the Rutledge Gallery features an assortment of diverse, original art by talented artists in all mediums.
Sunwatch Indian Village />Archaeological Park - A partially-reconstructed American Indian Village which occupied the Middle Ohio River Valley between about AD 1000 and AD 1650; and the Heilman-Kettering Interpretive Center featuring exhibits with artifacts recovered from the site.
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery - Children and adults can explore the wonders of the world with a live animal zoo, the region’s only Planetarium, interactive science and technology exhibits, and more under one roof!
Sports & Recreation
Sports
Dayton Dragons - Visit Day Air Park Ballpark and watch the baseball stars of tomorrow as they play on this minor league team for the Cincinnati Reds.
University of Dayton Athletics - Ranked among the top 10 in the academic performance of athletes in the country, the university’s Flyer teams win both on the field and in the classroom.
Wright State University Athletics - These NCAA Division I student-athletes post outstanding successes in the classroom with almost half honored each year with academic recognition.
Parks and Recreation
U.S. Air Force Museum - The National Museum of the United States Air Force, located near Dayton, Ohio, is the largest and oldest military aviation museum in the world.
Five Rivers Metro Parks - MetroParks is leading the protection and stewardship of Greater Dayton’s open spaces and natural heritage through conservation efforts, recreation and education.
Woodland Arboretum and Cemetery - Founded in 1841 the Woodland Cemetery is one of America’s first and most historic cemeteries.
Carillon Historical Park - Carillon Historical Park celebrates the history of invention, transportation, and pioneer life in Dayton and the Miami Valley.
Dayton Aviation Heritage - Stop by and hear the stories of Orville and Wilbur Wright. Whatever your time frame - Dayton Aviation is sure to have something for you to see and do.
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery - Visit a museum full of interactive science learning that enriches the lives of both children and adults.
The Packard Museum - Come and see the world's only restored Packard Dealership operating as a museum, and only full-time museum dedicated exclusively to the products and philosophies of the Packard Motor Car Company.
Business & Media
Business Organizations
www.daytonregion.com - Find out everything you need to know about starting, growing or moving a business to the Dayton area.
Dayton Chamber Of Commerce - This 5 Star Accredited Chamber represents over 3,000 organizations in the Dayton region and provides advice on starting and growing business.
Dayton Convention And Visitors Bureau - See what Dayton’s big city amenities, midwestern charm and hospitality have to offer.
Newspapers
Dayton Daily News - Follow all of the news in Dayton either in black and white or on the web.
Radio & TV
WHIO - TV - Dayton Daily News reports bulletins and broadcasts each and every day in its newspapers, cable TV and the internet.
WKEF - TV - Dayton’s source for news, weather, traffic, sports, entertainment and more.
WDTN - TV - Get your news from the only station awarded the Edward R. Murrow award for Overall Excellence for the past two consecutive years.
WMMX 107.7 - Dayton’s best source for modern music and news on the radio.
Weather Channel (Dayton) - Provides the greater Dayton area with up to the minute weather reports and severe weather updates.