Greene County Archives, an Office of the County Clerk

Greene County Archives, an Office of the County Clerk The Greene County Archives is a central repository where county government & local history records are maintained for county officials & the general public.

Besides having an official function, the archives serves as a county & regional research center.

Stepping back in time to August 1946!Just came across this front page from the Heer’s Grapevine, and it’s such a fun gli...
08/27/2026

Stepping back in time to August 1946!

Just came across this front page from the Heer’s Grapevine, and it’s such a fun glimpse into Springfield’s history. The Heer’s Grapevine was an employee publication full of stories, announcements, and everyday moments.

There’s something so special about holding a piece of history like this, imagining the people who read it, the daily excitement in the store, and the sense of community that Heer's brought to its employees.

Anyone remember the Heer’s Grapevine?

📸 Courtesy of the Piland Collection

Happy first day back to school!To celebrate the start of a new school year, we’re sharing a few incredible snapshots fro...
08/25/2026

Happy first day back to school!

To celebrate the start of a new school year, we’re sharing a few incredible snapshots from our archives.

Featured below are three historic school photos:

• Center School 1914 (first photo)
• Bois D’Arc School late 1890s (second photo)
• Willard High School 1920 (third photo)

And these are just a small glimpse into our collections, we have many more historic school photos available to the public for research, projects, and local history exploration.

From one generation of students to the next, these images show just how deeply rooted education is in our area. Wishing everyone a wonderful, successful school year ahead!

📸 Willard High School students photo courtesy of Virginia Vocelli

Did you know we hold an extensive collection of Medical Examiner and Coroner’s records dating all the way back to 1834?T...
08/22/2026

Did you know we hold an extensive collection of Medical Examiner and Coroner’s records dating all the way back to 1834?

These documents can be incredibly valuable for researchers, genealogists, local historians, and anyone interested in understanding community health, early forensic practices, or family history.

If you’re looking to dive into primary sources that offer detailed insights into Springfield and Greene County’s past, this collection is a rich resource worth exploring.

🕰 Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

We’re always happy to help you navigate the materials and discover the stories they hold. Feel free to reach out or stop by!

Take look back at Jordan Valley in 1932!This space has transformed so much over time and continues to do so with the Jor...
08/20/2026

Take look back at Jordan Valley in 1932!

This space has transformed so much over time and continues to do so with the Jordan Creek project. From early community gatherings to the development we know today, these snapshots capture the heart of a place that continues to bring people together.

It’s always inspiring to see how far our city has come and how these moments in time still resonate.

The first photo is looking southeast from Campbell, the second photo is looking west from Jefferson, and the third photo is looking west from Benton.

📸 Photos courtesy of the Springfield-Greene County Library

Happy back to college week!As everyone heads into a new semester, we’re celebrating with a fun archival discovery! Our t...
08/19/2026

Happy back to college week!

As everyone heads into a new semester, we’re celebrating with a fun archival discovery! Our team has been diving into Ozarko yearbooks from Missouri State University, and one of our archivists made a delightful discovery! She found her grandparents in the pages back when the campus was still Southwest Missouri State College!

Her grandmother, Sally Jo Schubert, earned her teaching degree here, and during her time on campus she met her future husband, Zenas Clark Blevins. After SMSC, he went on to graduate from the Missouri School of Mines, known today as Missouri S&T.

It’s always a joy when history connects so personally. Moments like these remind us why preserving stories matters.

📸 Pictured below are Kylee’s grandparents in the 1958 yearbook.

Yearbooks courtesy of the Crabtree Collection

🎉 Route 66 Festival is Here! 🎉We’re excited to join the community in celebrating the annual Route 66 Festival with our S...
08/07/2026

🎉 Route 66 Festival is Here! 🎉
We’re excited to join the community in celebrating the annual Route 66 Festival with our Summer edition of the County Chronicles!
It features a special photo spread dedicated to the beloved Barnes General Store, a longtime fixture along historic Route 66. The spread highlights rare images, stories, and memories from a place that served travelers and locals alike for generations.

Head to our website to view our County Chronicles 👉 https://greenecountymo.gov/archives/chronicles.php

📸 Celebrating history. 🚗 Celebrating Route 66. ❤️ Celebrating community.

Pictured below is John M. Barnes proudly driving the store’s very first delivery truck.

Photo courtesy of the Ruth Barnes Newton Collection

We’re excited to feature the John Q. Hammons Collection, generously donated by Richard Crabtree. This incredible assortm...
08/04/2026

We’re excited to feature the John Q. Hammons Collection, generously donated by Richard Crabtree. This incredible assortment shines a light on the people, places, and history that helped shape our region.

Included in the collection:

• Springfield Magazine editions
• History of the Bank of Ash Grove
• A book on Lester E. Cox
• History of Missouri
• Frisco Time Table No. 3 and Rules for the Maintenance of Way and Structures from several years

This donation is a treasure trove for local historians, researchers, and anyone who loves exploring Missouri’s past. Thank you, Richard, for helping preserve and share our community’s story!

In August 1895, Helen C. Stewart made history in Greene County, Missouri and the entire nation by becoming the first fem...
08/01/2026

In August 1895, Helen C. Stewart made history in Greene County, Missouri and the entire nation by becoming the first female sheriff in the United States.

Born in 1850 in New Jersey, Helen moved with her family to Scranton, Pennsylvania, and later to Springfield, Missouri. She married railroad engineer Daniel P. Stewart in 1872, and together they raised four children.

Daniel was elected Sheriff of Greene County in November 1894, but tragically passed away in July 1895, leaving the sheriff’s position vacant.

The county court appointed Helen to serve as sheriff until a special election could be held, marking the first time a woman officially held that office in the U.S.
Helen served until the special election on September 10, after which Francis M. Donnell was elected.

Later, Helen moved to Kansas City, where she tragically died of burns from a house fire in April 1919. Her body was returned to Springfield, and she was laid to rest beside her husband at Maple Park Cemetery.

Newspaper clipping from the Springfield Leader and Press, Friday, May 29, 1896.

Step back in time with our historic plat maps!We have original plats from 1876, 1904, and 1930, offering a fascinating l...
07/28/2026

Step back in time with our historic plat maps!

We have original plats from 1876, 1904, and 1930, offering a fascinating look at how our community has grown and changed over the years.

Historic plat maps aren’t just fun to look at — they’re incredibly useful! They can help you:

• Trace property ownership and boundary changes over time
• Research family history and land records
• See old roads, landmarks, and community layouts that no longer exist
• Understand how neighborhoods, farms, and businesses developed
• Support local history projects, genealogy research, and restoration efforts

📍 Come visit us to view these historic plat maps in person!

Whether you’re a history lover, researcher, or just curious about the past, we’d love to help you explore our area’s rich story.

Featured Court Case #3305 The Great Watermelon Mystery! 🍉😆So apparently 1879 wasn’t just about bonnets, buggies, and bu...
07/24/2026

Featured Court Case #3305 The Great Watermelon Mystery! 🍉😆

So apparently 1879 wasn’t just about bonnets, buggies, and buttoned-up suits, it also featured seven men who were officially charged with malicious trespassing and stealing 100 watermelons, not to eat… not to sell… but just to DESTROY them.

Yes. One hundred watermelons. Obliterated. Squashed. Smashed. Vaporized? Who knows! The records didn’t say how these guys destroyed them, which honestly makes this even better.

Were they staging a watermelon Olympics?

Practicing for a fruit-based demolition derby?

We may never know… But they were found guilty and committed to the county jail.

Address

1126 N. Boonville
Springfield, MO
65802

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14178684021

Website

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