Early History of Springfield

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.

Elias Briggs chose for his home a place convenient to a spring of water and in due time this land was fenced in.  This enclosure became known as the "springfield" - hence the name of the town.  The Briggs family operated a ferry across the Willamette River at roughly the site now occupied by the Union Pacific railroad bridge.

In 1852, Mr. Briggs began building a town.  He dug and built the mill race and he and Mr. Driggs of Linn County formed the Briggs and Driggs Company and began to build a flour mill and a saw mill in 1853 and 1854 respectively.

Springfield was platted in 1856, incorporated as a city February 25, 1885, and received its charter March 17, 1893.  In 1891, Springfield had a general merchandise store, two grocery stores, two cigar stores, a drug store, two dress shops, two blacksmiths, a variety store, a meat market, a saloon, a barber shop, a shoe store, three hotels, two schools, and three churches.  Also, in 1891, Springfield received its first railroad line. In 1910, Springfield welcomed the Portland, Eugene and Electric Railroad streetcar.

Springfield maintained its small town ways until after World War II.  The retail center was still Main Street, industries were northwest of the railroad tracks and residences were to the north. In 1940, the City´s area was only 1.5 square miles and the population only 3,805. By 1998, apartments covered the spring.  The City expanded to more than 13 square miles and the population grew to 51,700.

The McKenzie Drift Boat: Symbol of the City of Springfield

"We are elected volunteers who set the city´s goals, policies, and guidelines for the City Manager and staff to carry out."

The Mayor and City Council make up the legislative branch of Springfield´s city government.  Each of the six members of the City Council is elected by citywide vote and represents an area of town called a ward.  The Mayor is also elected by citywide vote. The Mayor and City Council members serve without pay as volunteers for four year terms.  They set city policy and make decisions regarding ordinances and resolutions, authorizing contracts, setting city goals, and adopting the city´s annual budget.  The Mayor and City Council also appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, Municipal Court Judges, and many citizens to serve on advisory committees.  The Mayor and City Council guide the city staff to provide the highest quality, lowest cost service to the citizens of Springfield.

• Provide financially sound, stable city government.
• Utilize resources efficiently and effectively to meet citizen needs for core services.
• Expand the Springfield economy through commercial and industrial development which creates family wage jobs.
• Enhance Springfield's safety by constructing the Justice Center.
• Participate in a renaissance for Springfield.
• Partner with citizens and other public agencies.
• Preserve our hometown feel as we grow.

How to Contact Us . . .
General Information  City Manager´s Office    Mayor´s Office  Fax	(541) 726-3700    (541) 726-3700    (541) 726-3702    (541) 726-2363

To help us make a better community ... be involved...call us at 726-3700 if you are interested in these or other issues.

Attend a City Council meeting held the first and third Monday evenings of each month.  You can also share your ideas with the Mayor and City Council by contacting city staff, writing a letter, or sending e-mail. Volunteering is a good way to get to know us and to serve the community.  Please let us know what you think about your community!

The City Council meeting location is wheelchair-accessible. For the deaf, an interpreter can be provided with 48 hours notice prior to the meeting. For meetings in the Council Meeting Room, a 'Personal PA Receiver' is available for the hearing impaired. To arrange for these services, please call 726-3700. All proceedings before the City Council are recorded.

" We give the community access to the world of reading and learning through books, tapes, computers, technology and children's cultural events."

• Adult Collection
• Youth Services
• Weekly Story Hours and other Youth Programs
• Reference Assistance
• Online Public Access
• Special Events/Classes
• Computer Work Stations, Public Internet Access
• Audio Books, Video Tapes, Compact Discs, Large Print Books, Artworks
• City Hall Art Wall
• Spanish Language Collection