# Springfield's in...Oregon? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 10, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411 "2012-04-10T21:57:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/1 "2012-04-10T21:57:10Z")
MSN is reporting that The Simpsons’ Springfield is in Oregon. [http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=717227](http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=717227) ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/2 "2012-04-10T22:01:27Z")
Nah, Springfield’s in a state of mind. ---
**Author:** ![President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/President_Johnny_Gentle)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/3 "2012-04-10T22:16:53Z")
As soon as Oregon borders each of Ohio, Nevada, Maine, and Kentucky, I’ll accept that report. One down, three to go. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/4 "2012-04-10T22:26:29Z")
From the article: > [@](#): > > Groening says he has long given fake answers when asked about the Simpsons’ hometown. But this time it’s true, no, really! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/5 "2012-04-10T22:29:24Z")
[That’s not what is being reported (aside from some misleading headlines) and it’s not what he said either.](http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/04/10/matt-groening-springfield/) > [@](#): > > After 23 seasons, The Simpsons creator Matt Groening has finally revealed his real-life inspiration for the town of Springfield. > > “Springfield was named after Springfield, Oregon,” Groening tells the upcoming issue of Smithsonian magazine in an in-depth Q&A. That’s not going to be news to many people. Groening grew up in Oregon and several of the characters are named after streets in Portland. This is reporting worthy of Kent Brockman or Scott Christian. Or Dave Shutton, even! ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/6 "2012-04-10T22:30:03Z")
(sigh) The article reads that Springfield was based on Springfield, OR, near Portland where he grew up. But the show itself is ambiguous on the matter. Nothing to see here… ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/7 "2012-04-10T22:44:38Z")
Maybe that’s what’s being filmed today two blocks from our house. More likely another scene for “Leverage”, I guess. Or maybe Grimm. ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/8 "2012-04-10T22:49:55Z")
I lived in Salem, OR for a few years and had a good friend from Springfield. It seemed to be pretty much accepted by the locals that Groening got the name from Springfield, OR since he grew up there, though he often made jokes about it being elsewhere/anywhere/nowhere. So, nothing new here really. ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/9 "2012-04-10T22:53:48Z")
> [@MovieMogul](#): > > (sigh) The article reads that Springfield was based on Springfield, OR, near Portland where he grew up. But the show itself is ambiguous on the matter. > > Nothing to see here… D’oh! Maybe next time I’ll read the whole article. Even ABC news was reporting it as _being_ in OR, not based on it. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/10 "2012-04-10T23:11:14Z")
“The Simpsons are going to Delaware!” so not there. ---
**Author:** ![Chipacabra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@Chipacabra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chipacabra)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/11 "2012-04-11T00:17:59Z")
Groening most likely borrowed the name Springfield from Springfield, OR, and also probably the mock-feud relationship of Springfield and Shelbyville from Springfield and Eugene. But that’s pretty much it; Springfield, OR isn’t much like the TV Springfield at all. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/12 "2012-04-11T02:37:37Z")
> [@Chipacabra](#): > > Groening most likely borrowed the name Springfield from Springfield, OR, and also probably the mock-feud relationship of Springfield and Shelbyville from Springfield and Eugene. But that’s pretty much it; Springfield, OR isn’t much like the TV Springfield at all. Well, there’s Otto. He’s a pretty typical Springfield resident. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/13 "2012-04-11T03:15:43Z")
According to Simpson’s creator Matt Groening himself from a recent [interview](http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-rt-us-simpsons-springfieldbre8391fz-20120410,0,4299993.story): > [@](#): > > In an interview with Smithsonian Magazine’s May issue, Matt Groening revealed that the animated town is based on Springfield, Oregon, near his childhood hometown of Portland. He also was inspired to use the town’s name after it was featured on the 1950s television show “Father Knows Best.” > > “I also figured out that Springfield was one of the most common names for a city in the U.S. In anticipation of the success of the show, I thought, ‘This will be cool; **everyone will think it’s their Springfield**.’ And they do,” said the show’s creator. And then he fucked that sentiment right up. I actually think it’s kind of cool he finally revealed where the show takes place…in spirit at least, as I very much doubt the show adheres strictly to that location’s geographically. Of course, I haven’t followed the Simpson’s in years (decades?), so it’s not like I feel strongly about the show’s canon much anyway. Link: [http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-rt-us-simpsons-springfieldbre8391fz-20120410,0,4299993.story](http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-rt-us-simpsons-springfieldbre8391fz-20120410,0,4299993.story) ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/14 "2012-04-11T03:19:16Z")
I think Springfield is [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=647970). ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/15 "2012-04-11T03:19:52Z")
n/m ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/16 "2012-04-11T03:21:30Z")
Merged duplicate threads. ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/17 "2012-04-11T03:22:27Z")
The info in that article really isn’t as groundbreaking as it seems. From the [SNPP FAQ](http://snpp.com/guides/lisa-3.html#3.2.1) (or as they say LISA) which must have been written at least one year ago, but probably more. > [@](#): > > Where IS Springfield, anyway? > > “Springfield” is a fictional location. One more time for the world: “Springfield” is a FICTIONAL location. It is not in Illinois, not in Massachusetts, not in Southern Missouri, not in Northern Kentucky. MG says he chose the name because it is one of the most common city names (121 Springfields exist in the U.S.) and the setting of the antithesis to The Simpsons, Father Knows Best. > > There also happens to be a Springfield in his home state of Oregon. Coincidentally enough, Springfield happens to be located very close to, or even part of, the city of Eugene. The proximity of these two towns to each other may have been the inspiration for the Springfield/Shelbyville rivalry in the show. > > On a side note, a L.I.S.A. reader adds, “There is a cemetery in the middle of the University of Oregon (located in Eugene) that has a statue of soldier whose head was cut off as a prank by college students. The prank was universally condemned.” (Sound familiar? See 7G07). > > According to Producer/Director David Silverman, Springfield is in the state of North Takoma, eight miles from Toon Town (although it appears this still isn’t to be considered an “official” answer). In Duffless, the state abbreviation on Homer’s driver’s license is NT - NT probably representing North Takoma. See next question. > > The bottom line, though, is that even when the series makes reference to places and events unique to a specific Springfield, it does not mean that the series takes place in that given state. > > According to some sources on the group, Matt Groening has said that although Springfield is basically “anytown USA” it does have features somewhat similar to towns in Oregon, where Matt grew up. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/18 "2012-04-11T03:35:16Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Maybe that’s what’s being filmed today two blocks from our house. More likely another scene for “Leverage”, I guess. Or maybe Grimm. It was Grimm! Look for a shot of the Ugly Mug coffee shop in an upcoming episode. ---
**Author:** ![heathen\_earthling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/13edae/32.png) [@heathen\_earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heathen_earthling)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/19 "2012-04-11T05:47:43Z")
Has Oregon ever been mentioned on the show? All I can think of is the time Marge was unfamiliar with the pronunciation of “oregano”. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411/20 "2012-04-11T14:54:11Z")
> [@heathen\_earthling](#): > > Has Oregon ever been mentioned on the show? All I can think of is the time Marge was unfamiliar with the pronunciation of “oregano”. Treehouse of Horror V Marge: Hello once again. As usual, I must warn you all that this year’s Hallowe’en show is very, very scary, and those of you with young children may want to send them off for bed – ``` Oh, my! It seems the show is _so_ scary that Congress won't even let us show it. Instead they've suggested the 1947 Glenn Ford classic movie, "200 Miles to Oregon". ``` there are a bunch of other times [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/springfields-in-oregon/618411.md?page=2)