Quality products from the start.

The city has had many types of manufacturing and production attuned to the times. One of the most noted of the ventures, the Springfield Wagon Company, founded in 1870, was famous worldwide for its products for 70 years. Springfield wagons helped not only in development of this area but in settlement of the Southwest. By 1881, the Wagonworks employed 100 men and turned out 2,000 wagons a year.

The early industrial growth of the community was aided by a $22,000 bond issue passed by the citizens in 1872 to aid new manufacturing enterprises.

In addition to the cotton and woolen mills in the late 19th Century, there were two iron foundries, a carriage factory, grain elevators and several tobacco and cigar factories.

In the 1900's industry included such diverse operations as the United Iron Works which furnished railroad castings and the Anchor Broom Manufacturing Company which employed 100 people and shipped 3,000 brooms a day. During the first world war the Herman-Sanford Saddlery Company produced much harness for the Army.

Many industries were phased out or adapted to the times and numerous small firms followed them as new techniques and new needs became apparent.