Springfield, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
Springfield is an unincorporated
census-designated place
in northwestern Hampshire County
in the U.S. state
of West Virginia
. As of the 2010 census
, Springfield had a population of 477. Springfield is located north of Romney
along West Virginia Route 28 at its junction with Green Spring Road (West Virginia Secondary Route 1) and Springfield Pike (West Virginia Secondary Route 3). It is currently considering incorporation.
first visited the Springfield area in 1748 as a member of a party that surveyed the land holdings of Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron
in the South Branch Potomac River valley. The Town of Springfield was formally established on December 16, 1790.
In June 1861, the town organized a company
of men known as the "Potomac Guards" in support of the Confederacy
. The company was under the command of Captain Philip T. Grace.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
in northwestern Hampshire County
Hampshire County, West Virginia
Hampshire County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 23,964. Its county seat is Romney, West Virginia's oldest town . Hampshire County was created by the Virginia General Assembly on December 13, 1753, from parts of Frederick and Augusta counties ...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. As of the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
, Springfield had a population of 477. Springfield is located north of Romney
Romney, West Virginia
Romney is a city in and the county seat of Hampshire County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,940 at the 2000 census, while the area covered by the city's ZIP code had a population of 5,873. It is a city with a very historic background dating back to the 18th century...
along West Virginia Route 28 at its junction with Green Spring Road (West Virginia Secondary Route 1) and Springfield Pike (West Virginia Secondary Route 3). It is currently considering incorporation.
History
George WashingtonGeorge Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
first visited the Springfield area in 1748 as a member of a party that surveyed the land holdings of Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron
Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron
Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron was the son of Thomas Fairfax, 5th Lord Fairfax of Cameron and of Catherine, daughter of Thomas Culpeper, 2nd Baron Culpeper of Thoresway....
in the South Branch Potomac River valley. The Town of Springfield was formally established on December 16, 1790.
In June 1861, the town organized a company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
of men known as the "Potomac Guards" in support of the Confederacy
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
. The company was under the command of Captain Philip T. Grace.
Historic sites
Today, Springfield is the site of a number of historic private residences dating from the 18th and 19th Centuries.- Ridgedale (George W. Washington Farm), Washington Road (CR 28/3)
- Shouse-Martin House, Route 28 and Market Street
- The Shouse-Martin House is currently being restored. Captain John W. Shouse supposedly built the 1851 brick house.
- Springfield United Methodist Church, Strawberry Alley & Federal Street
Churches
- Assembly of God
- Community Bible Assembly of God Church, Poland Road (CR 28/2)
- Springfield Assembly of God Church, WV Route 28
- Methodist
- Springfield United Methodist Church, Strawberry Alley & Federal Street
- Pentecostal
- Emmanuel House of Prayer, WV Route 28
- Presbyterian
- Springfield Presbyterian Church, Market (WV Route 28) & Fourth Streets