The history of Springfield is rich, adorned with over hundred-year-old landmarks, historical milestones and mystery. Some of the oldest and most authentic pieces of history line our streets, neighbor our homes and house our local businesses and residents. These places also hold the memories of the past — maybe even enough, as some believe, for the past to want to stick around.
Historical landmarks
One historical building that has surely caught the eye of every Springfieldian is Pythian Castle. The towering castle now operates as an event center for weddings and other events, but it was something very different in the early 1900s.
The name ‘Pythian’ comes from the title of the fraternal organization, The Knights of Pythias. The Ozark Knights, members of the Knights of Pythias, built the castle in 1911 as the Pythian Home, which housed orphans, the elderly and the widowed. The Knights of Pythias were known for this, as the organization was inspired by a Greek tale about two close friends, Damon and Pythias, who were willing to sacrifice themselves for each other, according to Route Magazine. They wanted to encourage this sense of brotherhood throughout the country, so the Knights of Pythias became the first fraternal organization to be chartered through an Act of Congress and began building Pythian castles throughout the country.
The people of Springfield raised $15,000 to have a Pythian castle built here. About 30 years later, social security was established, leading to less funding for the home as people were beginning to support themselves. The castle closed its doors in 1941 but not for long…