I
City (pop., 2000: 111,454), capital of Illinois, U.S. Springfield lies along the Sangamon River in the central part of the state.
The first settler there built a cabin in 1818; in 1837, largely through the efforts of
II
City (pop., 2000: 151,580), southwestern Missouri, U.S. Settled in 1829, Springfield grew slowly until the period of heavy westward migration began in the U.S. Confederate forces held it briefly during the American Civil War , and Wild Bill Hickok lived there in the 1860s.
Its agriculture-based economy is augmented by its educational institutions. The international headquarters of the Assemblies of God church is in the city.
III
City (pop., 2000: 152,082), southwestern Massachusetts, U.S. Located on the Connecticut River , Springfield was settled in 1636 and was incorporated in 1641.
It was burned during King Philip's War (1675). In 1786 it was the site of an arsenal targeted by Shays' Rebellion ; during the American Civil War the U.S. Armory (see Springfield Armory ) there produced the Springfield musket. Springfield is home to several colleges and the Basketball Hall of Fame. It was the birthplace of {{link=Geisel, Theodor Seuss">Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss).