Editing Springfield, Ohio (section)

==History==
===Before European settlement===

The original pre-contact inhabitants of Springfield were the [[Shawnee|Shawnee people]].

During the 18th century, the [[Ohio Country]] saw warfare, waves of migration and displacement, and imposition of claims by rivaling colonial powers [[New France|France]] and [[British America|Britain]]. With the end of the [[French and Indian War]] in 1763, the British became the sole European claimants of the region.

The area was home to the major [[Shawnee]] village in the region, called Peckuwe or Piqua. It belonged to the Shawnee septs (sub-clans) of [[Pekowi]] and [[Kispoko]] and had a population of about 3,000.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Peckuwe Shawnee Memorial Marker | work = HNdb.org, The Historical Marker Database | access-date = February 17, 2013 | url = http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=35274 | archive-date = March 5, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130305133206/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=35274 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>Hand, Tom (April 4, 2024). Americana corner: The battle of Piqua. Bryan County News - Bryan County News. [https://www.bryancountynews.com/opinion/americana-corner-battle-piqua/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411031940/https://www.bryancountynews.com/opinion/americana-corner-battle-piqua/|date=April 11, 2024}}</ref> It stood at 39° 54.5′ N, 83° 54.68′ W, less than four miles southwest of the current city of Springfield and less than six miles from its center.

During the [[Western theater of the American Revolutionary War]], the area saw a major battle that pitted the Americans against the Shawnee and their indigenous allies. The Shawnees had formed an alliance with the British and the [[Lenape]], the [[Wyandot people|Wyandot]], and the [[Mingo]], refugees from warfare and displacements elsewhere, and had been raiding into Kentucky with the aim of driving out American settlers.<ref name="sudgen"/> On August 8, 1780, Piqua was attacked by American soldiers under the command of General [[George Rogers Clark]]. It was a ferocious battle that ended with the destruction of the Shawnee village and the exodus of its inhabitants. Clark's men spent two days burning as much as 500 acres of corn surrounding the village.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=2SBCAAAAIAAJ&q=451&pg=PA656 George Rogers Clark Papers 1771-1779 p.451-454 account of the battle]</ref><ref>Lodge, D. (1997). Shawnee Indians A monument commemorates their departure in Hardin. Shelby County Historical Society. [https://www.shelbycountyhistory.org/schs/indians/shawnee.htm]</ref>

[[Tecumseh]], the Shawnee chief and warrior who later took part in the war of resistance against the U.S. and its expansionist settlement policy, lived in Piqua from 1777 until 1780.<ref name="sudgen">{{cite book |last=Sugden |first=John |title=Tecumseh: A Life |location=New York |publisher=Henry Holt and Company |year=1997 |isbn=0-8050-4138-9|pages=30–31}}</ref>

The Springfield area was officially ceded to the United States by the Shawnee and their indigenous allies under the [[Treaty of Greenville]] on 1795, six years before the city was founded.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gaff |first=Alan D. |title=Bayonets in the Wilderness. Anthony Waynes Legion in the Old Northwest. |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |location=Norman |year=2004 |isbn=0-8061-3585-9 |page=366 }}</ref>

===Early settlement===
Springfield was founded in 1801 by European-American James Demint, a former teamster from [[Kentucky]] who named it for [[Springfield, Massachusetts]]. When [[Clark County, Ohio|Clark County]] was created in 1818 from parts of [[Champaign County, Ohio|Champaign]], [[Madison County, Ohio|Madison]], and [[Greene County, Ohio|Greene]] counties, Springfield was chosen by the legislature over the village of New Boston as the county seat, winning by two votes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.springfieldohio.net/history/ghost-towns/new-boston.php |title=History of Clark County: New Boston |department=Ghost Towns |publisher=The Network of Springfield, Ohio |date=2008 |access-date=March 27, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115115802/http://www.springfieldohio.net/history/ghost-towns/new-boston.php |archive-date=January 15, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="bicentennial">{{cite web |last1=Rowe |first1=Keisha |title=5 fascinating things to know about Clark County's history as it celebrates its bicentennial |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/fascinating-things-know-about-clark-county-history-celebrates-its-bicentennial/YVkHijPeZbAc9AHpzagsGM/ |website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=September 20, 2024 |date=April 24, 2018}}</ref>

Early growth in Springfield was stimulated by federal construction of the [[National Road]], which was extended to the city in 1838. For about a decade thereafter, Springfield served as the western terminus while politicians wrangled over its future route. Representatives of [[Dayton]] and [[Eaton, Ohio|Eaton]] wanted the road to veer south after Springfield, but President [[Andrew Jackson]], who took office in 1829, decided to push the road straight west to [[Richmond, Indiana]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Raitz|first1=Karl B.|last2=Thompson|first2=George F.|title=The National Road|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_XSoga0PSd0C&pg=PA166|year=1996|publisher=JHU Press|isbn=978-0-8018-5155-1|page=166}}</ref>

===Industrial development===
During the mid-and-late 19th century, the [[manufacturing]] industry began to flourish in Springfield. Industrialists included Oliver S. Kelly, James Leffel, P. P. Mast, [[Benjamin H. Warder]], and [[Asa S. Bushnell (Ohio)|Asa S. Bushnell]], who built the self-named Bushnell Building.<ref>[http://www.bushnellbuilding.com/history.htm History of the Bushnell Building] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409095022/http://www.bushnellbuilding.com/history.htm |date=April 9, 2015 }}</ref> Springfield became known as "The Champion City", a reference to the Champion Farm Equipment brand.<ref name="bicentennial"/>
Champion was manufactured by the Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Company, absorbed into International Harvester in 1902.

[[International Harvester]], a manufacturer of farm machinery and later trucks, became the leading local industry after 1856, when Springfield native William Whiteley invented a self-raking reaper and mower. In 1877, P. P. Mast started ''[[Farm & Fireside]]'' magazine to promote the products of his agricultural equipment company. His publishing company, known as Mast, Crowell, and Kirkpatrick, eventually developed as the [[Crowell-Collier Publishing Company]], best known for publishing ''[[Collier's Weekly]].'' International Harvester and Crowell-Collier Publishing would be the city's major employers throughout most of the next century.

In 1894, [[The Kelly Springfield Tire Company]] was founded in the city. [[Harry Aubrey Toulmin, Sr.]], patent attorney to the [[Wright Brothers]], wrote the 1904 [[patent]] to their [[invention of the airplane]] at the Bushnell Building, eventually granted to the brothers in 1906.<ref name="bicentennial"/>

At the turn of the 20th century, Springfield became known as the "Home City". It was a period of high activity by fraternal organizations, and such lodges as the [[Masonic Lodge]], [[Knights of Pythias]], and [[Independent Order of Odd Fellows|Odd Fellows]] built homes for orphans and aged members of their orders.

[[File:SpringfieldOH 4-H Club Sculpture.jpg|thumb|A statue depicting [[AB Graham]] and the first [[4-H]] club]]
That same year, A.B. Graham, then the superintendent of schools for Springfield Township in Clark County, established a "Boys' and Girls' Agricultural Club". About 85 children, 10 to 15 years of age, attended the first meeting on January 15, 1902, in Springfield, in the basement of the Clark County Courthouse. This was the start of what would soon be called the "[[4-H|4-H Club]]"; it expanded to become a nationwide organization at a time when agriculture was a mainstay of the economy in many regions.<ref>[http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/about/4h_history.htm "4-H History"]. National4-hheadquarters.gov. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009054014/http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/about/4h_history.htm |date=October 9, 2008 }}</ref> The first projects included food preservation, gardening, and elementary agriculture. Today, a historical marker exists at the Clark County courthouse, and the [[Library of Congress]] officially recognized the birthplace in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Orozco |first1=Jesse |title=Clark County now recognized by Library of Congress as birthplace of 4-H |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/clark-county-now-recognized-by-library-of-congress-as-birthplace-of-4-h/V46KJWYMXRCVXMK3R3UDQRY2W4/ |website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=September 7, 2024 |date=September 13, 2023 |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004192505/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/clark-county-now-recognized-by-library-of-congress-as-birthplace-of-4-h/V46KJWYMXRCVXMK3R3UDQRY2W4/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 7, 1904, over a thousand white residents formed a [[Lynching|lynch mob]], stormed the jail, and removed prisoner Richard Dixon, a black man accused of killing police officer Charles B. Collis. Dixon was shot to death and then hanged from a pole on the corner of Fountain and Main Street, where the mob shot his body numerous times. From there, the mob rioted through the town, destroying and burning much of the black area. The events were covered by national newspapers and provoked outrage.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B01E6D9103BE631A2575BC0A9659C946597D6CF&scp=4&sq=springfield+ohio&st=p|title=Mob in Ohio Shoots...|date=March 8, 1904|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=February 13, 2017|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305004816/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B01E6D9103BE631A2575BC0A9659C946597D6CF&scp=4&sq=springfield+ohio&st=p|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 26, 1906, an altercation between a white man and a black man resulted in another riot. The rioters burned down much of the Levee, a predominantly black neighborhood located in a flood-prone area near the river. Nearly 100 people were left homeless.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ohiohistorycentral.org |url=http://ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=2100&nm=Springfield-Ohio-Racial-Conflicts |access-date=November 10, 2008 |archive-date=August 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828174933/http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=2100&nm=Springfield-Ohio-Racial-Conflicts |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite thesis |last=Carter |first=Darnell |date=1993 |title=The 1904, 1906, and 1921 race riots in Springfield, Ohio and the Hoodlum theory |url=http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1375275114 |access-date=June 22, 2020 |website=OhioLINK |publisher=The Ohio State University |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918034620/https://etd.ohiolink.edu/acprod/odb_etd/etd/r/1501/10?clear=10&p10_accession_num=osu1375275114 |url-status=live }}</ref> The final riot took place in 1921. ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that 14 people were killed during the unrest.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Fourteen Negroes Shot in Race Riot; Fight Pitched Battle With Whites Near Midnight in Springfield, Ohio. Troops Rushed to City, Outbreak Follows Wounding of Policeman – Climax of Negro Assault on White Girl|work=The New York Times|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1921/03/12/103559394.html?zoom=16.05|access-date=June 22, 2020|language=en|archive-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918034619/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1921/03/12/103559394.html?zoom=16.05|url-status=live}}</ref>

From 1916 to 1926, 10 [[automobile]] companies operated in Springfield. Among them were the Bramwell, Brenning, Foos, Frayer-Miller, Kelly Steam, Russell-Springfield, and Westcott. The Westcott, known as "the car built to last", was a six-cylinder four-door sedan manufactured by Burton J. Westcott of the [[Westcott Automobile|Westcott Motor Car Company]].

[[File:Westcott House Springfield 06.jpg|thumb|[[Westcott House (Springfield, Ohio)|Westcott House]] by [[Frank Lloyd Wright]]]]
In 1908, Westcott and his wife Orpha commissioned architect [[Frank Lloyd Wright]] to design their home at 1340 East High Street. The [[Westcott House (Springfield, Ohio)|Westcott House]], a sprawling two-story stucco and concrete house, has all the features of Wright's "prairie style", including horizontal lines, low-pitched roof, and broad eaves. Wright became world-renowned, and this is his only prairie-style house in the state of Ohio.<ref name="CR">{{cite web |last1=Armstrong |first1=Phil |title=There's a Frank Lloyd Wright-Designed Home Just 80 Miles North of Cincy |url=https://cincinnatirefined.com/arts-design/westcott-house-designed-in-prairie-style-by-famous-architect-frank-lloyd-wright-in-springfield-ohio |website=Cincinnati Refined |access-date=May 23, 2021 |date=July 24, 2018 |archive-date=May 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523193028/https://cincinnatirefined.com/arts-design/westcott-house-designed-in-prairie-style-by-famous-architect-frank-lloyd-wright-in-springfield-ohio |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2000, the property was purchased by the [[Chicago]]-based Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy. As part of a prearranged plan, the house was sold to the Westcott House Foundation, a newly formed group that managed an extensive 5-year, $5.8 million restoration, completed in October 2005.<ref name="CR"/> The house is now open to the public for guided tours.

===Late 20th century to present===
Crowell-Collier Publishing, a longtime pillar of local employment, closed its magazines in 1957 and sold its Springfield printing plant.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 21, 1957 |title=Collier Holders Back Plant Sale; Debts Put at $9,000,000 – '56 Net of Book Business Given as $5,000,000, $3,600,000 Needed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1957/03/21/archives/collier-holders-back-plant-sale-debts-put-at-9000000-56-net-of-book.html |access-date=May 30, 2019 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918034618/https://www.nytimes.com/1957/03/21/archives/collier-holders-back-plant-sale-debts-put-at-9000000-56-net-of-book.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The city population peaked at more than 82,000 in the 1960 census.

In 1966, [[Robert C. Henry]] was appointed by the city commission as [[mayor]], making him the first [[African Americans|black]] mayor of an Ohio city.<ref>{{cite book |last=Knepper |first=George W. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-X2j44h3d8IC&pg=PA392 |title=Ohio and Its People |date=2003 |publisher=Kent State University Press |isbn=978-0-87338-791-0 |page=392}}</ref>

In 1983, ''[[Newsweek]]'' called Springfield one of America's "dream cities". But the issue, which marked the magazine's 50th anniversary issue, concluded that "The American Dream" was in decline.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Borden |first1=Jeremy |date=September 19, 2016 |title=Newsweek took stock of the American Dream in Springfield, Ohio, in 1983. A taste of what things look like today. |url=https://medium.com/the-untold-story/newsweek-took-stock-of-the-american-dream-in-springfield-ohio-in-1983-e46ee2257ee1 |access-date=August 4, 2024 |website=The Untold Story |publisher=Medium |archive-date=August 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804161942/https://medium.com/the-untold-story/newsweek-took-stock-of-the-american-dream-in-springfield-ohio-in-1983-e46ee2257ee1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Deindustrialization|decline in manufacturing]] and other [[Blue-collar worker|blue-collar]] industries in the United States in the late 20th and early 21st centuries hit Springfield especially hard. In 2011, [[Gallup, Inc.|Gallup]] called Springfield the "unhappiest city" in the country.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Patrick |date=October 14, 2012 |title=Welcome to Springfield, Ohio, the 'unhappiest city' in the U.S. |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/welcome-to-springfield-ohio-the-unhappiest-city-in-the-us/article4612263/ |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |access-date=September 12, 2024 |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913185054/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/welcome-to-springfield-ohio-the-unhappiest-city-in-the-us/article4612263/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Its 27% decrease in [[median income]] between 1999 and 2014 was the largest of any [[metropolitan area]] in the country.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berliner |first1=Uri |title=Springfield, Ohio: A Shrinking City Faces A Tough Economic Future |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/09/19/493920060/springfield-ohio-a-shrinking-city-faces-a-tough-economic-future |publisher=NPR |access-date=April 4, 2019 |date=September 19, 2016 |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404073918/https://www.npr.org/2016/09/19/493920060/springfield-ohio-a-shrinking-city-faces-a-tough-economic-future |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2020, the population had declined to 58,662, down more than one-quarter from its peak.<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov/|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 6, 2013|archive-date=December 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218204847/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

By the mid-2010s, city leaders began revitalization of the downtown area, including residential housing, a parking garage and demolition of decayed structures.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/springfield-to-build-new-townhomes-downtown/1665375123|title=Springfield to build new townhomes downtown|date=December 19, 2018|publisher=WDTN|language=en-US|access-date=May 30, 2019|archive-date=May 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530060521/https://www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/springfield-to-build-new-townhomes-downtown/1665375123|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/springfield-breaks-ground-new-downtown-parking-garage/N72KdGJRS7EcVhIf22wHxJ/|title=Springfield breaks ground on new downtown parking garage|last=Riley Newton|first=Staff Writer|website=Springfield News-Sun|language=en|date=June 28, 2019|access-date=August 28, 2019|archive-date=August 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828123948/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/springfield-breaks-ground-new-downtown-parking-garage/N72KdGJRS7EcVhIf22wHxJ/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=Riley |title=Demolition on Crowell-Collier picks up steam |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/demolition-crowell-collier-picks-steam/fEnYNirbRcyBXPFElWtGoK/ |website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=May 16, 2021 |date=October 29, 2019 |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516203933/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/demolition-crowell-collier-picks-steam/fEnYNirbRcyBXPFElWtGoK/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/historic-downtown-arcue-building-demolished/6PzTQA6rLEkbnmc3gVjSQK/|title=Historic downtown Arcue Building demolished|first=Staff Writer|last=Mark McGregor|website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=October 6, 2019|archive-date=October 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006021755/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/historic-downtown-arcue-building-demolished/6PzTQA6rLEkbnmc3gVjSQK/|url-status=live}}</ref> New downtown structures built since 2000 include the Ohio Valley Surgical Hospital, Springfield Regional Medical Center, Mother Stewart's Brewing Company, and the Chiller Ice Arena.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/city-long-delayed-ice-arena-ready-open/Qrn7uGH0V6negqd3fz0gQM/|title=City's long-delayed ice arena ready to open|first=Staff Writer|last=Michael Cooper|website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=October 6, 2019|archive-date=October 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006021826/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/city-long-delayed-ice-arena-ready-open/Qrn7uGH0V6negqd3fz0gQM/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2018, the economic recovery enjoyed by larger cities since the [[Great Recession]] had not included Springfield, despite efforts by local politicians and business organizations.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sanctis |first1=Matt |date=June 10, 2018 |title=Springfield among the small cities economic recovery is bypassing, report says |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/springfield-among-the-small-cities-economic-recovery-bypassing-report-says/SiCmpEWgYjcFwOKcI1B8QO/ |access-date=April 4, 2019 |website=Springfield News-Sun |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404073920/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/springfield-among-the-small-cities-economic-recovery-bypassing-report-says/SiCmpEWgYjcFwOKcI1B8QO/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2021, the [[Upper Valley Mall]], which had operated as the city's [[retail]] hub since 1971, permanently closed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Upper Valley Mall to close in June |url=https://www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/upper-valley-mall-to-close-in-june/ |publisher=WDTN |access-date=May 16, 2021 |date=April 15, 2021 |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516204302/https://www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/upper-valley-mall-to-close-in-june/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Immigrant influx====
In 2014, the city began the "Welcome Springfield" initiative to attract immigrants in an attempt to improve the local economy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Starr |first1=Stephen |title=How a child's death caused an Ohio city to turn on its Haitian community |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/12/12/how-a-childs-death-caused-an-ohio-city-to-turn-on-its-haitian-community |access-date=September 15, 2024 |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English]] |date=December 12, 2023 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918034644/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/12/12/how-a-childs-death-caused-an-ohio-city-to-turn-on-its-haitian-community |url-status=live }}</ref> About four years later, [[Haitians|Haitian]] immigrants fleeing their country's [[Haitian crisis (2018–present)|deepening crisis]] began to arrive.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brangham |first1=William |last2=Fecteau |first2=Mary |title=Ohio city with Haitian migrant influx thrust into political spotlight |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/ohio-city-with-haitian-migrant-influx-thrust-into-political-spotlight |access-date=September 15, 2024 |work=[[PBS NewsHour]] |date=September 9, 2024 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918034619/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/ohio-city-with-haitian-migrant-influx-thrust-into-political-spotlight |url-status=live }}</ref>

By 2024, an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 Haitian immigrants had settled in the city. The vast majority later received [[temporary protected status]], which allows them to work without the fear of deportation, due to the [[Haitian crisis (2018–present)|crisis in Haiti]].<ref name="Turner">{{Cite web |title=Thousands of Haitian immigrants now in Springfield: 5 takeaways from our reporting |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/thousands-of-haitian-immigrants-now-in-springfield-5-takeaways-from-our-reporting/QQFDZR6JAVCBNC6TGZGAEKE2JU/ |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=Springfield News-Sun |language=en |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716212329/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/thousands-of-haitian-immigrants-now-in-springfield-5-takeaways-from-our-reporting/QQFDZR6JAVCBNC6TGZGAEKE2JU/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jordan |first=Miriam |title=Why Thousands of Haitians Have Settled in Springfield, Ohio |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/14/us/haitian-migrants-springfield-ohio.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918034742/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/14/us/haitian-migrants-springfield-ohio.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Many were drawn by jobs with Springfield's growing [[manufacturing]] sector, which includes companies such as [[Topre]], Silfex, and McGregor Metal.<ref name="NYT-Jordan" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Matt Sanctis |first=Staff Writer |title=Topre to expand, add 200 jobs, invest $73M in Springfield |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/business/employment/topre-expand-add-200-jobs-invest-73m-springfield/yOchiR72VfIKqTD8X7nJxO/ |website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=October 6, 2019 |archive-date=March 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311162942/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/business/employment/topre-expand-add-200-jobs-invest-73m-springfield/yOchiR72VfIKqTD8X7nJxO/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Riley Newton |first=Staff Writer |title=New Silfex plant operating in Springfield; more hiring planned |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/business/new-silfex-plant-operating-springfield-more-hiring-planned/CR4RxF0xjmfCro217SilyJ/ |website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=October 6, 2019 |archive-date=October 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006021810/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/business/new-silfex-plant-operating-springfield-more-hiring-planned/CR4RxF0xjmfCro217SilyJ/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The influx of Haitians triggered an increase in anti-immigrant sentiment among existing residents. In August 2023, tensions were aggravated when an improperly licensed Haitian driver crashed into a school bus, killing one child and injuring 23 others.<ref name="NYT-Jordan" /> In mid-2024, local politicians asked for federal assistance to fund an unexpected increased use of city services and to help with housing issues caused by the population increase.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Orozco |first1=Jessica |title=Springfield leaders talk growing Haitian population with federal government |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/springfield-leaders-discuss-growing-haitian-population-with-federal-government/EJWXEEGK2ZFN7N66GWPOPMDP2A/ |website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=August 3, 2024 |date=April 12, 2024}}</ref><ref name="NYT-Jordan">{{cite web |last1=Jordan |first1=Miriam |title=How an Ohio Town Landed in the Middle of the Immigration Debate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/03/us/springfield-ohio-school-bus-crash-haiti-immigrants.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=September 7, 2024 |date=September 3, 2024 |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914191557/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/03/us/springfield-ohio-school-bus-crash-haiti-immigrants.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Community organizations have hired significant numbers of [[Haitian Creole]] translators.<ref name="NYT-Jordan" />

==== National attention ====
{{Main article|Springfield pet-eating hoax}}

In 2024, the city drew international attention over [[Springfield pet-eating hoax|baseless claims about local Haitian immigrants]], leading to dozens of bomb threats that forced school evacuations, government office closures, and other disruptions.<ref name=":52">{{Cite web |last1=Rozzelle |first1=Josephine |last2=Breuninger |first2=Kevin |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Ohio GOP Gov. DeWine says 'at least 33' bomb threats prompt Springfield to begin daily school sweeps |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/16/springfield-bomb-threats-ohio-republican.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917123730/https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/16/springfield-bomb-threats-ohio-republican.html |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |publisher=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> On August 26, police received a report of Haitians stealing geese, for which neither law enforcement officials nor the [[Ohio Department of Natural Resources]] found any evidence or suspects.<ref name="ORO">{{cite news | last = Orozco | first = Jessica | date = September 11, 2024 | title = County: No evidence of August claim that Haitians took geese at Springfield park | url = https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/county-no-evidence-of-august-claim-that-haitians-took-geese-at-springfield-park/NFRGJNURHREGHB32HBC6UKZJWQ/ | work = Springfield News-Sun | access-date = September 11, 2024 | archive-date = September 11, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240911220949/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/county-no-evidence-of-august-claim-that-haitians-took-geese-at-springfield-park/NFRGJNURHREGHB32HBC6UKZJWQ/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="CDR">{{cite web | title = Call Detail Report | publisher = Clark County Communication Center | date = August 26, 2024 | url = https://www.scribd.com/embeds/767911174/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-FgAt6C3w3O2whVVHFZHL | access-date = September 11, 2024 | archive-date = September 11, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240911121712/https://www.scribd.com/embeds/767911174/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-FgAt6C3w3O2whVVHFZHL | url-status = live }}</ref> Soon thereafter, a rumor about Haitian immigrants abducting and eating pets in Springfield went viral. Springfield authorities debunked the rumor.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bernal |first1=Rafael |date=September 9, 2024 |title=Vance pushes false accusations of Haitians eating pets |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4869901-vance-haitians-eating-pets-ohio-trump/ |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910201726/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4869901-vance-haitians-eating-pets-ohio-trump/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The claims were amplified by [[JD Vance]], a U.S. senator from Ohio and Republican vice-president, other Republican politicians, and right-wing commentators.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ferris|first=Layla|date=September 10, 2024|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/baseless-claim-haiti-immigrants-cats-springfield-ohio/|title=JD Vance repeats baseless claim Haitian immigrants are eating pets as Ohio officials say there is no evidence|publisher=[[CBS News]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914192054/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/baseless-claim-haiti-immigrants-cats-springfield-ohio/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Maher|first=Kit|date=September 10, 2024|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/10/politics/jd-vance-haitian-immigrants/index.html|title=Vance says false claim he spread against Haitian migrants may not be true but urges followers to keep posting 'cat memes'|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910185039/https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/10/politics/jd-vance-haitian-immigrants/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ingram|first=David|date=September 9, 2024|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinformation/jd-vance-ohio-police-no-reports-haitian-immigrants-harming-pets-rcna170271|title=Ohio police have 'no credible reports' of Haitian immigrants harming pets, contradicting JD Vance's claim|publisher=[[NBC News]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911215439/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinformation/jd-vance-ohio-police-no-reports-haitian-immigrants-harming-pets-rcna170271|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Demissie|first=Hannah|date=September 9, 2024|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/vance-magnifies-false-claims-haitian-immigrants-eating-pets/story?id=113534220|title=Vance magnifies false claims about Haitian immigrants eating pets in Ohio|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910020622/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/vance-magnifies-false-claims-haitian-immigrants-eating-pets/story?id=113534220|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="clevelandarticle">{{cite web |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Some Springfield locals say top Republicans are lying about Haitian immigrants in town |url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/2024/09/some-springfield-locals-say-top-republicans-are-lying-about-haitian-immigrants-in-town.html?outputType=amp |accessdate=September 13, 2024 |website=The Plain Dealer}}</ref> On September 10, Republican presidential candidate [[Donald Trump]] amplified the claims during [[2024 United States presidential debates#September 10: Second presidential debate (ABC, Philadelphia)|his presidential debate]] with [[Kamala Harris]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Arkin|first1=Daniel|last2=Ingram|first2=David|date=September 10, 2024|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-pushes-baseless-claim-immigrants-eating-pets-rcna170537|title=Trump pushes baseless claim about immigrants 'eating the pets'|publisher=[[NBC News]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911015459/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-pushes-baseless-claim-immigrants-eating-pets-rcna170537|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Reinstein|first1=Julia|last2=Demissie|first2=Hannah|date=September 10, 2024|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-pushes-false-claim-haitian-migrants-stealing-eating/story?id=113570407|title=Trump pushes false claim that Haitian migrants are stealing and eating pets|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911030634/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-pushes-false-claim-haitian-migrants-stealing-eating/story?id=113570407|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Baio|first=Ariana|date=September 10, 2024|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-ohio-pets-springfield-debate-fact-check-b2610589.html|title=Trump repeats false pet-eating claims leaving Harris dumbfounded as Republican nominee goes off rails|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911030623/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-ohio-pets-springfield-debate-fact-check-b2610589.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Over the following week, Trump repeated and embellished his lies,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trump got back on track with the border. Then he started talking about the dogs (and geese). |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/12/trump-immigration-border-dogs-geese-00179017 |website=Politico |date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913223725/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/12/trump-immigration-border-dogs-geese-00179017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Trump drags new animal into false claims Haitian migrants are eating pets in Ohio |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-eating-pets-migrants-ohio-geese-b2612259.html |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914043722/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-eating-pets-migrants-ohio-geese-b2612259.html |url-status=live }}</ref> adding a vow to mass-deport "migrants" from Springfield.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Trump vows mass deportation of migrants in Springfield, dismisses threats to town |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-vows-mass-deportation-migrants-springfield-dismisses-threats/story?id=113661663 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |publisher=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915135417/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-vows-mass-deportation-migrants-springfield-dismisses-threats/story?id=113661663 |url-status=live }}</ref> Meanwhile, unknown perpetrators began making dozens of [[bomb threat]]s to Springfield schools, city officials and employees, and municipal offices, forcing several days of evacuations, lockdowns, closures, and cancellations.<ref name=":52"/><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lozano |first1=Alicia |last2=Li |first2=David |date=September 14, 2024 |title=Bomb threats force second consecutive day of school closures in Springfield, Ohio |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bomb-threats-force-second-consecutive-day-school-closures-springfield-rcna171043 |access-date=September 14, 2024 |publisher=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913172645/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bomb-threats-force-second-consecutive-day-school-closures-springfield-rcna171043 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |last1=Orozco |first1=Jessia |last2=Kelley |first2=Jeremy |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Springfield City Hall, schools, county hit by bomb threat tied to Haitian issues |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/springfield-city-hall-evacuated-due-to-unspecified-threat/LEJGCXXHZRHT3HH3HYHABRZGT4/ |access-date=September 15, 2024 |work=[[Springfield News-Sun]] |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912170953/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/springfield-city-hall-evacuated-due-to-unspecified-threat/LEJGCXXHZRHT3HH3HYHABRZGT4/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Helmore |first1=Edward |date=September 14, 2024 |title=More bomb threats hit Springfield, Ohio, after Trump elevates false claims about Haitians |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/14/more-bomb-threats-hit-springfield-ohio-after-trump-elevates-false-claims-about-haitians |access-date=September 15, 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918034619/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/14/more-bomb-threats-hit-springfield-ohio-after-trump-elevates-false-claims-about-haitians |url-status=live }}</ref> Five schools were evacuated during their school days, and two more closed for a day. [[Springfield City Hall (Ohio)|City Hall]] and several municipal<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Lydia |date=September 13, 2024 |title=More Springfield schools evacuated after threats, officials say |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2024/09/13/springfield-ohio-threats-schools |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=Spectrum News 1 |language=en |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914013604/https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2024/09/13/springfield-ohio-threats-schools |url-status=live }}</ref> and county buildings<ref name=":1" /> were closed for one or more days. Two hospitals were locked down for part of a day.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=4 days of threats in Springfield: What happened from Thursday to today |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/4-days-of-threats-in-springfield-what-happened-from-thursday-to-today/GYIMMNNO5NECTKYSWJB3BNEQDU/ |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=Springfield News-Sun |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916215322/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/4-days-of-threats-in-springfield-what-happened-from-thursday-to-today/GYIMMNNO5NECTKYSWJB3BNEQDU/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Two local colleges moved classes online for one or more days.<ref name=":4" /> The episode drew national and international attention to Springfield.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Donald Trump repeats baseless claim about Haitian immigrants eating cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c77l28myezko |access-date=September 18, 2024 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914180635/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c77l28myezko |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Germany rejects Trump's energy claim, mocks him over pets – DW – 09/11/2024 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-rejects-trumps-energy-claim-mocks-him-over-pets/a-70190020 |access-date=September 18, 2024 |publisher=Deutshe Welle |language=en |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914181330/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-rejects-trumps-energy-claim-mocks-him-over-pets/a-70190020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 14, 2024 |title=Haitian immigrant pet-eating row: Ohio woman accused of eating cat is US citizen, video is not from Springfield |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/haitian-immigrant-pet-eating-row-ohio-woman-accused-of-eating-cat-is-us-citizen-video-is-from-canton-not-springfield/articleshow/113320756.cms |access-date=September 18, 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918035121/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/haitian-immigrant-pet-eating-row-ohio-woman-accused-of-eating-cat-is-us-citizen-video-is-from-canton-not-springfield/articleshow/113320756.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

Haitian Americans in Springfield have faced race-based attacks due to these claims.<ref name="HaitianTimes2024">{{cite web |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Haitian Immigrants in Ohio Under Racist Attacks |url=https://haitiantimes.com/2024/09/11/haitian-immigrants-in-ohio-under-racist-attacks/ |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The Haitian Times |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914192701/https://haitiantimes.com/2024/09/11/haitian-immigrants-in-ohio-under-racist-attacks/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Reuters2024">{{cite web |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Haitian Americans Fear for Their Safety After Trump Repeats False Claims |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/haitian-americans-fear-their-safety-after-trump-repeats-false-claims-about-2024-09-11/ |access-date=September 13, 2024 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref><ref name="BinNews2024">{{cite web |date=September 12, 2024 |title=Springfield Haitians Face Racist Attacks Following Trump, Vance Comments |url=https://twincities.binnews.com/content/2024-09-12-springfield-haitians-face-racist-attacks-following-trump-vance-comments/ |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=Bin News |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914181149/https://twincities.binnews.com/content/2024-09-12-springfield-haitians-face-racist-attacks-following-trump-vance-comments/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After [[Donald Trump]] won the [[2024 United States presidential election]], some Haitians expressed an interest in moving out of Springfield.<ref>{{cite web|last=Starr|first=Stephen|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/17/haitian-immigrants-springfield-ohio-trump-election|title=Haitian immigrants flee Springfield, Ohio, in droves after Trump election win|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=November 17, 2024|access-date=November 17, 2024}}</ref>