Local History

Library History

The Springfield Free Public Library began in 1931 as a creation of the Springfield Parent-Teacher Association, which donated $50.00 toward its beginning. Then called the Springfield Library Association, the library consisted of 1000 volumes and was housed in the Brookside Building at the corner of Morris and Mountain Avenues. Within the first year approximately 750 library cards had been issued.

In 1943 the library was moved to the Sarah Bailey House located in Church Mall. The 125 year old house was built by a merchant named Samuel Bailey, and given to the town after the death of his daughter Sarah. Sarah Bailey’s will stipulated the house “shall be used for the purpose and as a site for a public library.” An addition to the library building was completed in April, 1957.

Ground was broken at the present site at 66 Mountain Avenue in 1966 and the building was completed in 1969.

Improvements to the library building were made in 2004, including the construction of an audio-visual room, a “Teen Room,” and quiet study rooms.

Springfield History

Visit Township of Springfield website for information on Springfield history from the Springfield Historical Society. While at the library, link to the Local History collection of digitized documents. The collection can also be accessed from home. You will be able to view historical pictures, newspapers and documents.

You can view digitized copies of Jonathan Dayton High School yearbooks at the Springfield Free Public Library section of the Internet Archive's American Libraries site. Digitized yearbooks include the years 1940 through 1969 and 1980 through 2007. Digitization of these materials was made possible by a grant from the EMC Heritage Trust project. Yearbooks from the 1970's are available through the Local History collection of digitized documents.

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