Springfield, Missouri, Events in March Past

The dates listed below for events that have taken place in the history of Springfield and surrounding area have been taken from a number of sources over the years: a chronology put together by Lucille Morris Upton for Springfield Newspapers; information in the History Museum for Springfield-Greene County; and articles in the collection of the Springfield-Greene County Library. They are as accurate as the original material.

1830	Campbell and Miller arrive.	The John P. Campbell and Joseph Miller families arrived. Burnett moved five miles east.
1833	First session of Greene County Court.	The first session of Greene County Court was held in the home of John P. Campbell, county clerk. The settlement was called Fulbright and Campbell Springs. Court included Samuel Martin, presiding judge, Jeremiah N. Sloan and James Dollison.
1851	Municipal election held	An election was held to choose municipal officers; called "an attempt to resuscitate the almost defunct act of incorporation making Springfield a city."
1866	First Catholic Mass	The Rev. Father Francis W. Graham came from Rolla to say first Catholic mass here.
1881	More railroads come	The Kansas City, Fort Scott, and Memphis (Gulf) Railroad came to Springfield.
1896	Perkins Grand Opera House burns
1905	Diemer Theater opens	Diemer Theater, built by Dr. F.W. Diemer, opened on Commercial Street. Pearl White, a Springfield girl, was among those working in the box office. She became famous in early movies in starring role of "Perils of Pauline," a popular serial.
1909	Basketball game to decide city championship	The largest crowd that ever witnessed a basketball game in Springfield saw Normal defeat Drury 37 to 17 winning the city basketball championship.
1912	Last session held in old courthouse	The last session in the old courthouse on the square was March 23, 1912, and the structure was torn down in 1914 to make way for HeerÕs store.
1923	Rhodes Produce Company rebuilds after fire.	The C. L. Rhodes Produce Co. has completed a $60,000 plant on Mill street just west of Boonville Ave. to replace their building which burned last summer at Campbell and Mill.
1923	Noted violinist Mischa Elman performs at Convention Hall
1924	Animals moved to Dickerson Zoo Park	Larger animals of Springfield Zoo at Phelps Grove Park were being moved to Dickerson Zoo Park.
1945	Utilities companies purchased by city	Springfield Gas and Electric Company, with gas, electric and transportation departments, is purchased by the city for $6,200,000 and its name changed to Springfield City Utilities. Springfield City Water Company was added Dec. 30, 1957, at cost of $20,709,776.
1947	Springfield Newspapers plant destroyed by fire
1952	East Trafficway opens
1953	KTTS-TV, Channel 10, goes on the air
1953	Council-Manager form of government approved	The council-manager form of government was adopted by city voters. A nine-member council was elected May 5 and held its first meeting May 18. This replaced the commission form of government begun in 1916, which in turn had replaced the aldermanic system.
1955	American Airlines crash at airport.	The crash kills 12 and seriously injured 23 with another dying later.
1983	SMSU cancels, then okays, Osborne concert.	The university called off a concert by Ozzy Osbourne because of his rumored antics with live animals. The concert went on after a promise was made not to use animals.
1983	KSPR becomes the cityÕs fifth open-broadcast television station.
1985	Cox Medical Center South opens.	The hospital has 510 beds and 11 stories.
1987	Newspapers consolidate	Daily News and Leader & Press consolidate into News-Leader.
1988	Assemblies of God again has to face national scandal.	In March church leaders ordered Jimmy Swaggart to quit preaching for a year after he admitted involvement with a prostitute.
1989	An 18-inch snow shuts down the city.

Page maintained by Richard Grosenbaugh - Updated February 6, 2003