The other downtown.

Commercial Street, the heart of North Springfield, developed on its own from 1870 to 1887 when the town consolidated with Springfield. It offered a wide variety of services and goods and supported several theaters, hotels and banks.

Commercial Street growth was spurred by the location of the first railroad depot at Benton Avenue in 1870. That station was abandoned in 1878 in favor of one nearer the square, but the area remained strong.

In the intervening years, the downtown and Commercial Street business districts have been joined by a commercial and governmental corridor along Boonville Avenue.

Although suffering from the same decline in patronage experienced by the downtown area because of the diversification of business, this historic area remains very much alive today and those who work and live there . . . including the North Springfield Betterment Association and the old Commercial Club . . . are making efforts to see that it remains so. They are seeking designation of the street as a National Historic site and also federal funds for planning its restoration.