A Name Change is Needed

Name changes have happened throughout history for a variety of reasons. For some of them, it was simply the person or place striving to be more unique because being unique lets you stand out more easily. It gets you more recognition in the long run. And of course, the more recognition you can obtain, the more opportunities there are.

Well, there is an area city that I would like to see change its name. And that is Springfield. Now of course, you are going to ask me which Springfield, and that is exactly my point. It is one of fourteen Springfields in the USA. It is not the one selected to be on The Simpsons'. It is not the home of Abraham Lincoln. And thank goodness, it is not in Massachusetts. The Springfield I am referring to is located in the southwestern corner of Missouri. It is referred to as 'The Queen City of the Ozarks.' Also, it is a very rapidly growing city and metro area, with the neighboring Branson boom to the south.

I think the one thing that is hurting Springfield, Missouri in its quest for a national spotlight is the fact it is Springfield. When I flew back into Springfield from a trip, the airport had to stress that it was Springfield, Missouri, and not just Springfield. Other area cities have more unique names, such as Wichita, Tulsa, Joplin, etc. I am sure other states have their versions of these city names as well, but none of those are large metro areas. Springfield, Missouri does have to compete with other large Springfields.

The Queen City has a lot of features and facts behind it. It has its own version of Cashew Chicken; it has the headquarters for Bass Pro Shop and the Assembly of God church; it is the hometown of Hollywood icons, Brad Pitt and recently retired Bob Barker; and an active force in the hotel industry, John Q. Hammons, also calls it home. Hammons has contributed a lot to the city. Missouri State University and several other smaller universities and colleges are located there. The Springfield Cardinals, the Double AA minor league squad for the St. Louis Cardinals, plays in the sparkling Hammons Field in the downtown area. The surrounding Ozark hills, streams, caves, lakes, and prairies provide plenty of outdoor adventure. There are many other interesting things to see and do in the city, yet the fact it has such a common name could be causing it to get overlooked. It is just another Springfield.

As for ideas for a new name, I'll throw ideas into the ring if it actually becomes an issue and a possibility. Yet, it'll be up to the people of the city to make the final decision. But, again, I will say a name change would be a good idea for that growing area.