When recently walking down the historic Commercial Street,  I was struck by the uniqueness of the area. The variety of the architecture, the eclectic feel of the shops  doing business that make the street feel like you are traveling back in time. While taking with you the hopes and dreams of a modern society wishing to make it's mark, along for the ride.

Springfield was founded in 1838, and this area located  north of the city became  North Springfield, (also called North Town, or Moon City) ^(link),  was incorporated in 1871, one year before the construction of the  St. Louis San Francisco Railroad (Frisco Railroad). They  had located their headquarters along the tracks, which are just north of Commercial St.  In 1887, 17 years later,  the two towns decided to merge and would be called Springfield.

Here is an example of what the area looked like back in the early 1900's.
The St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad (Frisco) moved its repair shops to Springfield in 1873, erecting them on 40 acres of land adjacent to North Springfield. In that year the roundhouse, which could accommodate 12 engines, was built. Also built were shops large enough to repair five engines at a time. By 1877 the shops employed 170 men. Many of the buildings of the North Side Shops predated 1873, as the land was originally given by the city of Springfield to the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad, which later merged with the Frisco. After the Gulf Railroad merged with the Frisco, construction of the West Side Shops was started in about 1906. These opened July 5, 1909. After the West Side Shops were opened the lighter repair work was done in the old North Side Shops. After World War II and the change to diesel engines, the oldest structures were no longer used. Between 1955 and 1959 most of the 40-plus North Side Shops buildings were razed.

Photos and history: Courtesy of Springfield-Greene County Library

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Next I'll show some of my images. this is a panoramic of the North side of the block from 209E, to 219E Commercial Street

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© 2012 by Rottlady

Across the street, looking at the 200 E Commercial Street buildings.

© 2012 by Rottlady

 The Citizens Building at 220 East Commercial Street was built in between 1891 and 1896. The building feature decorative brickwork and rusticated stone string courses. The building's brick arch is indicative of Romanesque revival styling. The building had an addition spanning the adjacent alley in 1948 and it thought that the Art Moderne storefront featuring black Carrara glass, concrete and glass blocks. text is from link

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Here is an example of some of the details on the The Citizens Building.
First is the clock and next is the rounded glass bricks found on the building at 220 East Commercial Street.

© 2012 by Rottlady

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Next I'll move down the block a bit:

© 2012 by Rottlady

This is the Commercial Club building at 299 East Commercial Street it was built circa 1924-28 as a meeting place for businessmen on the northside of Springfield. The two-story brick building is set back from the street more than the adjacent buildings. also housed a branch of the Springfield Public Library in 1946. The Community Center for Building Business and the Professional Women's Club were located here in 1965-1970. It was home to a branch office of the City of Springfield Human Resources Department (City Manpower) and the Missouri State Division of Employment Security in 1975-1985. Rainbow Lures was in basement in 1990. In 2005, the building was owned by the City of Springfield.^(link)

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Next is a panoramic of the 338-322 E Commercial Street

© 2012 by Rottlady

Next some details of that block. On the left, Tile detail at 328 E Commercial Street, and on the right, looking up at the same building.

© 2012 by Rottlady

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Ok, I know this is getting a bit long so I'll show you one more place.
This is Ruthie's Bar, at 400 E Commercial St. Built in 1899, Ruthies's was named after the current owner's mother.

This place has had many functions, W.B. Fairman owned the Fairman Harness Company here in 1920-1925, it was a grocery from 1930 to 1940, In 1945, Nicholas Furniture. It was home to Northside Recreation in 1950-1955. In 1960-1970 and again in 1975-1985 it was a furniture store owned by two different families (Swegart Furniture and Northside Furniture). G&W Antique Store was here in 1993, Freedom Photography in 2008. Lastly, Ruthie's Bar at present.^(link)

I found on the internet two interesting personal descriptions of this area. I'm providing links to these. Commercial Street Though the Years by Paul Harris and Commercial Street Though the Years By Irene Holly Cates