My hometown of Springfield, Ohio has several historic buildings and landmarks that are still standing today. It wasn’t until pretty recently that I started learning about the rich history of this city and it’s been amazing to learn about the history and significance of these building and landmarks that I’ve foolishly ignored throughout my life.
Something I really enjoying doing is trying visualize what a building or area in town was like several decades ago. When I worked downtown I parked about two blocks away from the office and during my walk I’d really try visualizing what it would have been like to walk downtown in the early to mid 1900’s. I’d try to imagine the sound of the traffic and crowd and even the smell of car exhaust and peanuts (my office was very close to were the Peanut Shoppe was located apparently and my grandfather told me how the smell of peanuts used to linger through the streets).
Unfortunately, I’ll probably never get to experience the downtown Springfield my grandparents remember but the next best thing for me are the countless photos I’ve come across from collectors, the Clark County Heritage Center and the Facebook page, Springfield, Ohio History. This collection of image sliders is something I put together to help me visualize the Springfield of the past in conjunction with the Springfield that I’ve grown up with and know today. I hope you enjoy comparing these images and if you have any stories or memories you’d like to share, feel free to leave a comment below.
Snyder Park Archway
Snyder Park Memorial Stone
Main Street
Snyder Park Rest House
Littleton & Son Funeral Parlor
Warder Residence / Jones Kenney Zechman Funeral Home
King Building Fire (1956)
The Crowell-Collier Building
The Lagonda Clubhouse Building
Francis Bookwalter Residence (on Fountain Ave.)
The Clark County Courthouse
Parade on High Street
South Limestone Street after the Blizzard (1950)
The Bushnell Building
Thank you so very much for your sliders!! Very enjoyable & fascinating!! My parents took me shopping downtown a couple of times around 1964-65. I didn’t return until about 1972 to work at Wren’s (Bushnell Building). Very thankful that the exterior of it looks so similar!!
That is the coolest thing ever! Really appreciate your hard work.
You did an amazing job with this! I too have tried to imagine how downtown used to look, this helped take a lot of the guesswork out of it.
The Pictures are Great! Thanks for your Hard Work ~ Truly Appreciated.
You have worked so hard on all this Steven. I had no idea all those years back at Community that you were so interested! Nice work!
Very nice photo history. Complements to the photographer on the perfect matches. Nice to see that someone does care!
Very cool! I have grown up listening to my mom and her siblings talk about how they would always hang out downtown because that’s where everything was! I have always enjoyed picturing things the way they describe them. The replica of the old downtown at the Heritage Center is very fun to look at, with the modern day pictures of the area now. But, your pictures really show the history that we still have around town, and I hope we can continue to enjoy and preserve it!
What a great look at springfield! Sure wish we could be brought back to life again. Still lots of great bones to work with.