Several families settled near Otsego Lake around 1762, but little further development occurred until after the American Revolution. In 1778, Joseph Brant, native leader, led an expedition that burned the town and took captives. The Town of Springfield was formed from part of the Town of Cherry Valley in 1797. Growing hops was a major agricultural pursuit.
Notable residents
Elisha Hall, inventor of a type of threshing machine.
Arthur L. Ryerson, steel industrialist who died on the Titanic, maintained a summer home for his family in Springfield Center known as Ringwood
Henry Lansing Wardwell, New York City financier, maintained a summer estate and farm in Springfield Center known as Pinehurst. Still owned by descendants today.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of, of which, of it is land and of it is water. The town encloses the northern end of Otsego Lake. Hayden Creek flows southward from Summit Lake into the northern end of the Otsego Lake. Because Summit Lake is located on a divide, part of its flow exits from the northern end of the lake through Cedar Swamp into Otsquago Creek. The "Chyle", is the name of a sinkhole located northwest of Summit Lake. Shadow Brook enters Otsego Lake at Hyde Bay. New York State Route 80, a north-south highway, intersects US Route 20, an east-west highway, north of Springfield Center. The north town line is the county line of Herkimer County and a small section of Montgomery County.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,350 people, 521 households, and 375 families residing in the town. The population density was 31.4 people per square mile. There were 712 housing units at an average density of 16.6 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 98.59% White, 0.15% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.15% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.19% of the population. There were 521 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.04. In the town, the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.6 males. The median income for a household in the town was $33,854, and the median income for a family was $38,490. Males had a median income of $25,625 versus $23,611 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,513. About 5.6% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Springfield
Allen Lake - A small lake near the west town line.
Briar Hill - An elevation near the east town line, south of East Springfield.
Clarke Point - A headland of Otsego Lake north of Hyde Bay.
Clarke Pond - A pond located southwest of Springfield Center.
