Springfield is located in the Goodland Township.  The approximate boundaries extend from the Aiken County line and the South Fork Edisto River and almost to Highway 321.  However, the area that this site will be interested in will be approximately a five mile radius, but, only within Orangeburg County.

Springfield was first chartered on December 19, 1887, with a radius of one-half mile.  According to information in the book, "Springfield South Carolina A Small Town Saga in Orangeburg County"  (Note; book info in left column.) there was some controversy about what to name the new town.  Some wanted it named Millersville.  Capt. John G. Guinyard, who surveyed the town, suggested that the town be given the name of "Springfield" because it was located on the famous old Springs' field.  That met with the approval of the crowd.  Thus, the new town was named for the Patriot, Henry Spring, who lived in the area about a century earlier.

On February 12, 1918 the South Carolina General Assembly approved a new charter and the Springfield town limits were changed to extend exactly three-fourths mile in every direction from the center of Town.  The exact center of Springfield is at the intersection of the center of the former railroad track and the center of Springfield Road (Highway 4).

Longitude is: 81° 16' 45"W.  Latitude is: 33° 29' 47"N.  (Longitude is in degrees west of Greenwich, England and Latitude is in degrees north of the Equator.

And now a bit of distance trivia.  Distance: To the Equator, 2,304 miles.  To San Francisco, 2,323 miles.  To the North Pole, 3,911 miles.  (Of course, all miles are the shortest air mile distances.)

The highest elevation above sea level inside Springfield is 309 ft., and is located at the intersection of Aiken and Walnut Streets.

Average rainfall: 46.5 inches.            Population: 504 (2000 census)

In the early years of the 20th Century an electric generator on Dean Swamp Creek, adjacent to Highway 4, provide all of the electricity for Springfield.

Highway 4 between Neeses and Springfield was first paved with concrete about 1937.  Until it was re-paved with asphalt, about 1953, it was a bumpy road to drive on.

The Town Hall building on the northeast corner of Springfield Road and Surrey Race Road was actually the old Railroad Depot building.  It was moved to the present location in either 1976 or 1977.  Prior to the present day location, all Town business was conducted in the small Police Station across from the present Post Office.

The present telephone exchange building on Surrey Race Road, which allows dialing of a phone, went into operation in July 1957.  Prior to that time there was a telephone switchboard located in a private home just a few feet west of Mary's Country Kitchen.  Prior to that location, the first switchboard was located in the former Givens House on the northeast corner of Railroad Ave. and Aiken St. 

Photo courtesy of Mr. Wilber Grooms and Mr. Roy Cooper.

PEANUTS BOILED FRESH DAILY

Bobby's peanut shack is located
across from GoodLand Bar-Be-Que.

BOILED PEANUTS have been sold in the vicinity of the Railroad tracks in Springfield each summer for at least 65 years, and probably much longer.  Just why this practice has lasted so long is unclear.  The "play" has always been the same, but there have been many different "actors."  However, Bobby has added a unique twist to the Boiled Peanuts sales.  Years ago one could hear the vendors yell, "Boiled Peanuts, nickel a bag!"  Bobby has created a stationary sales site,  for his peanuts, (locals call it the PEANUT SHACK) along with cold drinks for sale to wash down those delicious "penders."  In the 1930s they were called penders by many locals.  Some even called them "goobers."  Whatever you wish to call them, we call them GOOD!  Thanks, Bobby, for your contribution in  promoting our heritage.  ( By-the-way, they are no longer  "nickel a bag",  just like gasoline in no longer 17 cents a gallon!)  Please see note in left column.

MY OLD HOME TOWN
SPRINGFIELD, SOUTH CAROLINA
Between the black waters of the South Fork
 Edisto River and Goodland Creek.

This section of the Goodland History Page is especially designed for those who once called Springfield home, but now live far away and return infrequently.  About every ten days a new photograph be displayed that will show some of the changes that are being made, or have been made in the little old town you once called home.  Those changes might be old buildings that are no longer safe or useful and destined for demolition, or new construction.  The aerial photo below will remain permanently in place.

SPRINGFIELD, SOUTH CAROLINA, August 2, 2005