2006-06-29 11:55:10 · 9 answers · asked by Peter 1 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Television
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.
Read Where Is Springfield? if you're still not convinced.
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The short answer is that Springfield does not exist. It doesn't have a real state, and the fact that it has no state is nothing more than a running gag. Springfield is more like "Anytown, USA". It's as if all of America was compressed into a single town, or a single state. Springfield is everywhere and nowhere.
Proof? No state's capital city is called "Capital City". No state has ever had this flag. No state's motto is "Not just another state". And that's just the tip of the iceberg. There is an enormous number of geographical contradictions between episodes which make it impossible for Springfield to actually exist in any real American state.
2006-06-29 12:00:12 · answer #1 · answered by capnbeatty 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Springfield, Illinois
2006-06-29 12:09:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Springfield
2006-06-29 12:13:13 · answer #3 · answered by blasterom16 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Illinois
2006-06-29 11:56:58 · answer #4 · answered by aurelie_moineau 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is Springfield, Illinois. They actually have the two pipe thingies with pollution coming out of them.
2006-06-29 12:00:01 · answer #5 · answered by babydollbeauty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not Illinois, Matt Groening specifically chose Springfield because it is the most common city name in the US. He intentionally wanted to keep his fans guessing.
2006-06-29 11:58:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only identification that has ever been provided is the city name, which is Springfield.
They have been exceptionally careful to not specify any state.
2006-06-29 11:58:27 · answer #7 · answered by abfabmom1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they never tell u, they always hint about it, but the hints never lead to anything, its a mystery 0_o
2006-06-29 11:58:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS
2006-06-29 11:58:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋