Springfield: Nature and History

Springfield offers two distinct focuses for planning a trip: the landscape around White Horse Mountain and the area’s architectural and local history. On the mountain, the terrain, habitats, and rules for different recreational activities shape the connection to nature. The historical perspective leads to the town grid laid out in 1790 and the Springfield Brick House, also known as Frenchwood. If you’d like to focus your trip more on nature or architecture, these topics offer two clearly distinct approaches: mountain ridges and activity rules shape plans outdoors, while the town’s lot layout and building styles take center stage.

Landscape and Activities at White Horse Mountain

White Horse Mountain covers 1,725 acres. It extends across the two mountain ridges of Valley Mountain and River Mountain, as well as a small hollow between them near Swisher Hollow. Together, the two ridges and the hollow form the terrain described here. The acreage describes the area’s total size, while the ridges and hollow identify its internal layout. The area provides habitat for black bears, bald eagles, and bobcats. If you’re interested in nature, you can consider the terrain and wildlife habitat as distinct points of reference: the ridges and hollow structure the area, while the three species named add specific groups of animals to this landscape perspective.

From Springfield, the approach to White Horse Mountain is via County Route 3, also known as Springfield Pike, and then Swisher Hollow Road. Hiking on the mountain does not require advance registration; check current hunting notices before your visit. Horseback riding is allowed on the main roads, and non-motorized bicycles are also permitted there. However, bicycles are not allowed off-road or on trails. Permission therefore depends on the activity: the absence of a registration requirement applies to hiking, the main-road rule to horseback riding and cycling; bicycles are also prohibited on trails and away from roads.

Springfield’s Local and Architectural History

Springfield was laid out in 1790 in quarter-acre lots. The Springfield Brick House, also known as Frenchwood, is located on Lot 20 of the original town grid. The two-story brick building has an L-shaped floor plan and strong influences from Georgian architecture and the Greek Revival. These details connect the building’s history with the original town plan: the lot number locates Frenchwood within the grid, while the floor plan and architectural styles describe the building itself. For architecture enthusiasts, the house offers two distinct ways to understand it: its place in the early lot plan and its architectural design.

Other historic local landmarks can also be identified by their road locations. Springfield United Methodist Church is at the corner of Route 28 and Vine Street. Washington Bottom Farm is listed as a historic site on the National Register and is located on WV 28 in Springfield. The intersection provides a specific reference point for the church, while the route does so for the farm. These road references complement Frenchwood’s lot information with additional locations in the area.

Discover more destinations: Romney, Purgitsville.

Go to the main travel overview: Hampshire County.