I live in the "Queen City of the Ozarks" Springfield, MO. I will endeavor to bring you some interesting facts about my town as I know it. But first I must present:

The Rules:

1. Post these rules before you give the facts.
2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about where they live.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
4. tag your article as meta; 8 things about where you live and Uncheck ALL OF NEWSVINE.
5. At the end of your blog, you need to post it here...

http://8thingswhereulive.newsvine.com/

Ok with that done, hang on to your seat and enjoy the ride.

1. With an estimated population of around 151.000 Springfield is the third largest city in Missouri. It is the county seat of Greene County, and according to Forbes Magazine's list of "America's Wildest Weather Cities," Springfield is the city with the most varied weather in the nation.
2. The origin of the name Springfield remains unclear. Writing in 1883 the historian R. I. Holcombe states, "The town took its name from the circumstance of there being a spring under the hill, on the creek, while on top of the hill, where the principal portion of the town lay, there was a field." He goes on to note, "This version of the origin of the name is disputed by the editor of the Springfield Express, Mr. J. G. Newbill, who, in the issue of his paper, November 11, 1881, says: 'It has been stated that this city got its name from the fact of a spring and field being near by just west of town. But such is not a correct version. When the authorized persons met and adopted the title of the "Future Great" of the Southwest, several of the earliest settlers had handed in their favorite names, among whom was Kindred Rose, who presented the winning name, "Springfield," in honor of his former home town, Springfield, Robertson county, Tennessee.'" [1] The most common view is that the city was named for Springfield, Massachusetts. One story is that a man named James Wilson, who lived in the then unnamed city, offered free whiskey to everyone who would vote for naming it after his home town of Springfield, Massachusetts.[6]

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield,_Missouri

Now some history:

3. In 1835, the town site was platted when John Campbell deeded 50 acres of land for the county seat. Springfield is the county seat of Greene County. Just two years later, a two story brick structure was completed in the middle of the public square, serving as Springfield's courthouse. In 1838, the town was officially incorporated.
4. In 1858, Springfield became a stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail stage coach line which ran from Tipton, Missouri all the way to San Francisco, California. 1870 saw the arrival of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway which created a further economic boost for the burgeoning city. By 1878, over 150 business houses were operating in Springfield and the town had become so popular it became known as the Queen City of the Ozarks.
5. Though Springfield has never been thought of as one of the many notorious Wild West towns, it does have one gunfighter legend. On July 21, 1865, famous gunfighter, James "Wild Bill" Hickok killed an Arkansas man by the name of Dave Tutt. Dueling in the streets, the dispute was prompted the night before when Tutt had won Hickok's pocket watch in a poker game. Though Wild Bill was arrested, he was later acquitted of the murder.
6. Though Springfield is a modern city today, Route 66 once passed through it's very heart. Like many cities that have seen immense growth since the advent of the Mother Road, you sometimes have to keep a sharp eye out to find evidence of the old highway.

   http://www.legendsofamerica.com/MO-Springfield.html

Ok, now for some facts as they relate to me:

7. I have lived here most of my life and have had many memorable experiences , such as when I was working for the local telephone company, Southwestern Bell Telephone, In 1974 I became the first woman Cable Splicer in the state. I was warmly accepted by my male co-workers (surprisingly enough) and loved the work. After 4 years, I was promoted to Cable Splicing Foreman, (again a first in the state) and worked that job for another 3 years. I retired from the phone company in 1997
8. Most recently we experienced 3 major ice storms and a tornado all in the past two years.I'm hoping that doesn't or a whole lot of years to come.

I hope you enjoyed these brief facts of my town and decide to come visit the Ozarks!