A common name with a unique past describes the city of Springfield, Ohio.
From an industrial city that rivaled Chicago, to famous people and well-known
occurrences, Greater Springfield has made a name for itself throughout history.
Pioneers first became familiar with Springfield because the National Road ended
here for a number of years before continuing westward. One of Springfield’s
first monikers was, in fact, “The Town at the End of the Pike”.
A city with such a rich history deserves the finest venue to maintain our link
to the past. We find that in the Heritage Center of Clark County, located in the
former City Building. Acclaimed as one of the nation’s finest regional museums,
the Heritage Center chronicles life in Springfield through over 200,000
artifacts, interactive displays and a state-of-the-art theatre.
Visitors can also tour the South Fountain Avenue Historic District to view late
19th century homes. East High Street - known as “Millionaires Row” for its
opulent Victorian and Queen Anne mansions - was once home to such luminaries as
Ohio Governor, Asa Bushnell, and automotive industry legend, Burton Westcott.
Famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Westcott House and its inclusion
in the Wasmuth Portfolio, a touchstone for all Wright
disciples, sealed its status as one of his greatest works. A $5.8 million
restoration in 2005 has transformed the Westcott House into one of the premier
Frank Lloyd Wright house museums in the United States.
With the assistance of The Turner Foundation, another one of Springfield’s
significant properties, the Pennsylvania House, has also undergone a complete
historical renovation. Commonly known as “The Inn at the End of the Pike,” the
Pennsylvania House opened in 1839 and provided welcome relief for pioneers
heading west on the rustic byway. This beautifully restored 24-room house is now
open to the public displaying historical artifacts collected and maintained by
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
Springfield’s dedication to our architectural heritage continues today in the
form of The Springfield Preservation Alliance. The Alliance works to preserve
existing architectural resources and raise public appreciation of these
resources through tours, lectures and special programs. Their walking tours are
a must for anyone wishing to better understand Springfield’s prosperous past and
our exciting future.