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Springfield, Kentucky facts for kids

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Springfield, Kentucky
Washington County courthouse in Springfield
Washington County courthouse in Springfield
Motto(s): 
"Where the Lincoln Legacy began"
Location of Springfield in Washington County, Kentucky.
Location of Springfield in Washington County, Kentucky.
Country United States
State Kentucky
County Washington
Area
 • Total 4.16 sq mi (10.78 km2)
 • Land 4.11 sq mi (10.66 km2)
 • Water 0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2)
Elevation
827 ft (252 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,846
 • Estimate 
(2022)
2,876
 • Density 691.78/sq mi (267.08/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
40069
Area code(s) 859
FIPS code 21-72660
GNIS feature ID 2405510
Website www.springfieldky.org

Springfield is a city in Kentucky, United States. It is the main town and county seat of Washington County. In 2020, about 2,846 people lived there.

Discovering Springfield's Past

Springfield was started in 1793. It was likely named after the many natural springs found in the area.

Historic Homes and Famous Residents

Several old houses in Springfield are very important to history. They are even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the homes of Senator John Pope and the Mordecai Lincoln House. The Mordecai Lincoln House is especially interesting because it belonged to a relative of President Abraham Lincoln.

Springfield: A Hub for Filmmaking

Springfield is sometimes called "Hollywood South" by people who make movies. This is because it has Kentucky's first and only movie sound stage. A sound stage is a special building where movies are filmed. This exciting development happened because Kentucky offers a special tax credit. This credit helps movie makers save money when they film in the state.

Exploring Springfield's Location and Climate

Springfield is located in a central part of Kentucky. It is about 15 miles east of Bardstown. It is also 10 miles north of Lebanon and 17 miles west of Danville.

Understanding Springfield's Size

The city covers a total area of about 2.5 square miles (6.5 square kilometers). All of this area is land.

Springfield's Weather Patterns

The weather in Springfield is known for having warm and humid summers. Winters are generally mild to cool. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate. It means the area gets plenty of rain and has distinct seasons.

Springfield's Population Over Time

Historical population
Census Pop.
1800 164
1810 249 51.8%
1830 618
1840 598 −3.2%
1850 527 −11.9%
1860 497 −5.7%
1870 502 1.0%
1880 610 21.5%
1890 642 5.2%
1900 1,016 58.3%
1910 1,329 30.8%
1920 1,529 15.0%
1930 1,487 −2.7%
1940 1,767 18.8%
1950 2,032 15.0%
1960 2,382 17.2%
1970 2,961 24.3%
1980 3,179 7.4%
1990 2,875 −9.6%
2000 2,634 −8.4%
2010 2,519 −4.4%
2020 2,846 13.0%
2022 (est.) 2,876 14.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

The population of Springfield has changed quite a bit over the years. In 1800, only 164 people lived there. By 2020, the population had grown to 2,846 people. The city's population has seen ups and downs, but it has generally grown since its early days.

Learning and Education in Springfield

Springfield has a lending library for everyone to use. It is called the Washington County Public Library. Here, you can borrow books, movies, and other materials. Libraries are great places to learn and explore new ideas.

Famous People from Springfield

Many interesting people have connections to Springfield.

  • Lemuel Boulware: He was an important leader at General Electric. He created a way of dealing with workers that became famous.
  • Paul Derringer: A professional baseball pitcher who played for big teams like the St. Louis Cardinals.
  • Shipwreck Kelly: A professional football player. He was a halfback for the New York Giants.
  • Nancy Hanks Lincoln: She was the mother of Abraham Lincoln, who became a President of the United States.
  • Thomas Lincoln: He was the father of President Abraham Lincoln.
  • Georgia Davis Powers: A very important person in Kentucky. She was a state politician and worked hard for civil rights.
  • Elizabeth Madox Roberts: A talented poet and novelist who wrote many stories.
  • Phil Simms: A famous professional football quarterback. He was the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in Super Bowl XXI. He also became a television commentator.
  • Gabriel Caldwell Wharton: A lawyer and soldier during the Civil War. He fought for the Union side.

See also

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