Family - Springfield, OH

When Springfield, Ohio, celebrated its 100th birthday in 1901, it did so with confidence and pride. Known for its culture—its music, theater, and men's and women's clubs, the city entered the twentieth century with a thriving industrial base: one record lists no fewer than 141 separate companies.

William S. Thomas, a local industrialist and banker speaking at the city's centennial program, predicted that Springfield's growth "would hinge on the same fundamentals that built the town: honest and competent men, cooperation between labor and management, quality products, drive, freedom from labor trouble, and ample capital from liberal banks" (William A. Kinnison. Springfield & Clark County: An Illustrated History [Northridge, CA: Windsor, 1985], 62). Thomas himself is quoted as saying, "The trade of this town is so extended now that wherever you go you will find Springfield represented, either by its products or its men. . . . Whatever happens all over this earth has an influence here" (62).

Burton J. Westcott took hold of the entrepreneurial momentum of the time. In 1903 he moved to Springfield from Richmond, Indiana, to serve as treasurer and then president of the American Seeding Machine Company, which located its largest plant here. He came to a place touted for its "beautiful parks, miles of paved streets, pure drinking water, exceptional fire fighting facilities, splendid banking houses, hundreds of manufacturing plants and where the people are social, substantial and well educated" ("Springfield Is the Hub of Industry." The Springfield Daily News, Dec. 31, 1905, industrial section, p.1). The description lauded the city's shipping facilities, public and parochial schools and colleges, churches, theaters, and hospital.

When Westcott arrived, Springfield was rising to commercial prominence. By the time his house was under construction, the city ranked second among Ohio cities in the annual consumption of founding iron. It also raised "more rose plants and other small horticultural products than any other city in the United States, besides enjoying the distinction, with its one hundred and seventy-five manufacturing industries employing thousands of operatives, of being the greatest implement manufacturing point in this country, excepting Chicago, in addition to its other diversified interests," wrote W. H. Stackhouse, president of the Springfield Commercial Club in the Christmas edition of The Springfield Daily News ("Springfield; Present and Future," Dec. 15, 1907, sec. 4, p. 1). Stackhouse praised the philanthropy of Springfield's citizens, its sanitary sewer system, its schools, banks and building and loan associations, and its railroads.

Stackhouse also predicted much construction for the area in 1908, both businesses and private dwellings such as the Westcotts', which he announced would be "one of the most expansive and handsome homes in the city when completed" (Ibid.). Plans were underway to build factories such as the Lagonda Manufacturing Company and the Springfield Metallic Casket Company as well as Carnegie Science Hall at Wittenberg College located slightly north of the city's downtown. Whereas approximately $1,000,000 was spent on local construction in 1907, that figure was expected to increase another half million dollars the following year—partly because of building more railroad facilities.

So successful was the building boom in Springfield at this time that a headline in the Christmas Edition of the local newspaper, published Dec. 20,1908, read, "A Place To Make Money: A Delightful City To Live In." Civic pride was evident in the description of this "city of industries," by now numbering more than four hundred. "'Made in Springfield' is itself a distinct asset," touted the accompanying story (sec. 4, p. 1).

Springfield was known for several important industries. Among them was publishing. The popular magazines Woman's Home Companion, Success, Floral Life, and Household Journal were all printed here. Moreover, seventy-five percent of all piano plates manufactured in the United States were made in Springfield. It was also a leading manufacturer of turbine water sheels and gas engines, metallic caskets and bullet-proof grave vaults, electric fans, emery wheels, paper-hanging tools, and flowers. More plants sold through catalogues were shipped from Springfield than from all other U.S. cities combined (Ibid.).

Enjoying four steam railroads and five traction lines for shipping, good parks, water, and a seemingly healthy environment, Springfield's population in 1900 exceeded 38,000; it was estimated at 50,000 in 1908, when the Westcotts moved into their home; in 1920 it had climbed to 60,000. This expansion helped to account for the increased diversity of Springfield's industry; from banks to breweries, piano plates to road equipment, marble monuments to scrap metal, bakeries to flowers, agricultural equipment to publishing.

Springfield had entered an "era of marked public improvement" (Ibid.). Here Burton Westcott became a civic leader. In 1916 he established the Westcott Motor Car Company, which continued to make luxury automobiles in Springfield until 1925. He served on the town council and, in fact, was elected its president in 1921. There he dealt with many issues involving civic improvement—including improvement for the many residents who worked in local factories. Some lived in squalid conditions within a few blocks of East High Street, home of Westcott and his privileged neighbors.