Springfield Historical Society - South Dakota

07/28/2026

Have you ordered a T-shirt yet??

Here are the backs of two T-shirts remembering SHS you can order. Which one do you like best? A or B?

07/28/2026

This remarkable postcard dated 1909, is labeled “Buick Automobile Display by H.M. Davison Springfield SD”.

At a time when most people still traveled by horse and buggy, these automobiles would have been an incredible sight and a glimpse into the future.

H. M. Davison is believed to be Henry M. Davison was born in Springfield in 1870. His father, Henry C. Davison, came to Springfield in 1869 and was involved in merchandising before his death in 1874. Henry was then raised in Springfield by his mother and stepfather, George W. Snow (Springfield Pioneer, banker and Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota).

At age 18, Davison began working at the Springfield Bank. In 1892, he helped organize the Springfield Hardware Company, where he spent many years building one of Springfield’s leading businesses.

He was an early automobile owner but ironically records show he didn’t own a Buick around the time this postcard was sent.

South Dakota’s early motor vehicle registration records show:
June 4, 1908 – H.M. Davison, Springfield
* Reo (Ransom E. Olds)
* Registration No. 1210
October 29, 1909 – H.M. Davison, Springfield
* E.M.F. (Everitt Metzger Flanders were sold through many Studebaker dealerships)
* Registration No. 3755

So, maybe he was considering a change?

We asked Ai to sharpen the image so we could read the sign above the automobiles. Ai thinks it says: “Deering Twine For Sale”.
Deering was one of the largest manufacturers of harvesting equipment in the United States, especially famous for its Deering twine binders.
In 1902, Deering merged with several other companies to form the International Harvester Company (IHC).

07/18/2026

Every town has a story, and Springfield’s story deserves to be preserved.

The Springfield Historical Society is excited to launch our new online apparel store! Every purchase helps support our volunteer-run museum and protects the history of the people and places that shaped our community.

Right now, our biggest priority is repair the museum’s aging roof to protect our collections. Your support will also help us create new, interactive exhibits, beginning with a redesigned Springfield High School display that generations of alumni and families can enjoy.

Whether you’re a lifelong resident, an SHS alum, have family roots here, or simply love small-town history, your purchase makes a difference.

Every shirt sold helps us:
• Repair our aging roof and building
• Create engaging new exhibits
• Preserve Springfield’s history for future generations

Thank you for supporting the Springfield Historical Society and helping keep our hometown story alive.

Wear your Springfield pride. Preserve our history.


👇 SHOP HERE:

Check out Springfield Museum Fundraiser on Bonfire and shop official merchandise today! Featuring limited edition custom apparel, printed with care in the USA just for you.

07/09/2026

A wonderful evening with the Springfield community reminding us about each word of the Declaration of Independence as 13 people recited the historic document ... "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. ..." Thank you to all for making this a special birthday party for our nation. Springfield joined other groups and communities across the nation during this special simultaneous reading to celebrate America's 250th Anniversary.

07/08/2026

Apologies for the live stream starting and stopping. We kept losing connection-

07/08/2026