Springfield
Community
Over $100 million
in developmental dollars has renewed Springfield's downtown,
including a new city plaza, public library, hotel, and YMCA,
with Clark State Community College's new Performing Arts Center
as the focal point. The greater community is rich with arts activities
and facilities and is in close proximity to Dayton (20 minutes),
Columbus (50 minutes), and Cincinnati (90 minutes).
The area is
also well known for its public park system, with over 1,400 acres
in Clark County alone, offering an exciting and diverse range
of recreational and historical activities. Springfield is known
for its summer arts festival, which is free to the public; as
the home of 4-H; as the birthplace of International Harvester;
as the original stopping point of the old National Trail; for
the invention of the water turbine; and as the birthplace of
comedian Jonathan Winters.
One of Springfield's
most historical features is The Marketplace, located downtown
adjacent to the city's esplanade. The Marketplace has offered
Springfield residents a variety of services since opening its
doors in 1890. It has been the site for a farmer's market, food
and market shops, and an antique mall. Currently, it is the home
of the Clark County Heritage Center, a museum for the Historical
Society.
Located in
George Rogers Clark Park just west of Springfield, the Daniel
Hertzler House, built in 1854, is a Pennsylvania Bank Style home
furnished in the 1850's period. The interior design follows the
pre-Civil War period. Tours are available by calling the Clark
County Park District at 937/864-1200.
The Pennsylvania
House Museum is a 24-room former stagecoach inn located on the
Old National Trail at 1311 W. Main Street. Opened in 1824, the
house has on display a large 100-year-old petit point picture,
samplers and quilts from the early 1800's and an extensive antique
button collection. The museum is open the first Sunday of each month from 1
to 4 p.m.
Springfield
is considered a medium-sized city with a small town atmosphere - a place where residents and visitors feel welcome. |
