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1950s:

1940s 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960s

1950.

Springfield

• Population of Springfield is 10,087.

• New Elementary and Middle Schools were built: Walterville, Page, Thurston, Moffit, and Springfield Middle School.

• The peak year during this period was 1950, when permit values equaled $2,617,136 (Springfield News 1941, 1942, 1950, 1955). Although the growth that began during the war continued beyond this period, the pace was slower and more even, having reached a high point in 1955.

• In 1950, the First National Bank opened in Springfield, the Paramount shopping center continued to expand, and a Chevrolet dealership opened. New types of commercial ventures arrived that year, when Springfield got its first “automated” car wash, one of the first of its kind in Oregon, and two drive-in movie theaters (the Motor Vu and the Cascade) opened (a third, the Drive-In-Ette, opened in 1953).

• The increase in traffic through downtown Springfield sparked discussions about making Main and A streets one-way thoroughfares in 1946. This debate continued until a plan was approved in 1950 to create a one-way street south of Main Street, known as the South A by-pass, to eliminate some of the heavy truck traffic through the center of downtown. Traffic on the new by-pass would head east and Main Street would become one-way, heading west.

• Nalley’s Potato Chip plant opened in 1950.

• The Springfield Utility Board was established in 1950 (Springfield News 1941, 1944, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950).

• Parking meters were installed for the first time in 1950 (Springfield News 1945, 1949, 1950).

• Construction on the Willamalane Park swimming pool and bathhouse began in October 1950. The Veteran’s Memorial Building (partially completed) was deeded to the park district.

• The Lions Club and the Toastmasters Club organized Springfield clubs during this period, both in 1950. (Springfield News 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1953).