Mural

One of the murals in downtown Springfield.

Pythian Castle

I had read about this on the internet, but had never actually been there until today. I was taking pictures for the United Way Day of Caring and realized it was almost walking distance from where I was. By the time I got there, it was after lunch so the lighting is not great, but it is an impressive building. More information on the castle can be found here.

Fish Hatchery

We toured the fish hatchery and dam at Table Rock Lake near Branson with two other families and the Japanese students we are hosting. (See more about this at my PAD.)

Fill 'Er Up

The sky was beautiful as we were leaving Zio's Restaurant (see photo on my PAD), but I couldn't get the sky without getting the sign for Conoco and McDonald's. I decided to just include it, as I think it makes a statement about American culture and our dependence on fast food and gasoline.

Street Lights Downtown

Taken from the third level of a parking garage downtown. For a more artistic photo of the lights see my Photo a Day Blog.

Park Central North

Looking north on Park Central North St., just off the Square in downtown Springfield. on a Sunday evening. The Square has been a topic of discussion for the city lately, as they try to cut down on its use as a hangout. They posted No Cruising signs this week, and are trying to decide what other changes to make. Hopefully, they will keep it as a public space and not turn it into a parking lot as a couple of businesses would prefer.

Founders Park

No grassy areas in this park! Kids of all ages like to climb on the rocks and dip into the fountain. More information can be found here.

Garden Benches

This was taken in the Demonstration Garden at Nathaneal Greene Park.

MSU Campus

MSU

I thought about using this for the Where's Waldo challenge on DPC, but decided not to. Taken on the MSU campus.

Sun on the Path

This was taken last night at Camp Arrowhead in Marshfield, MO. A golf cart (used to transport adults around camp) had just driven by and stirred up some dust, which reflected the sun.

House Painter on Walnut Street

I love the old houses on Walnut Street. Most are businesses now, but they have retained their charm. I tried to clone out the pole but it was too much effort when I got to the railing, so it is staying in the shot!

Canadian Geese

The next generation of Canadian Geese at Close Memorial Park. I got hissed at while taking these shots. (I had to process these on my laptop, so I don't know what they really look like. I might re=process them later!)

Tracks over the James River

Hercules Glade Wilderness Area

Taken on a foggy morning, on a camera club field trip.

Table Rock Lake

Mailbox Macro

This is growing on my mailbox, so in a sense, it is exploring southwest Missouri...

Barn

This is the barn at Close Memorial Park. I'm not sure why they are letting it get in such disrepair. Maybe after all the planting is done they will put it back together.

From Below

There are thousands of dandelions everywhere right now. They were definitely not harmed by the recent return to winter!

Burrell Park

There is a small park surrounded by office buildings that I didn't know was there until Mike (Ozark Photos) had some shots in his blog. I had to go explore, and while the park is not large, it would be nice to work in one of those buildings and walk around the lake and/or eat lunch there. Of course, if my office overlooked the park I might spend too much time looking out the window!

Spring in the Ozarks

Took this today in the Demonstration Garden at Nathaneal Greene Park. Spring started a few weeks ago, and we were having 80 degree F days. Then a cold front blew in Tuesday and it has been back in the 40's by day with light freezes at night. There were snow flurries this morning. So far the flowers have survived!

Fellows Lake

Yep, another lake close to Springfield. I was fishing with my son and a friend--no bites but lots of fun.

Lake Springfield

I don't know much about this lake, but it is good for fishing and there is a park and walking trail. The electric company uses it also, but I was there at the wrong time of day to get a good shot of it.

Victim of the Ice Storm

We are still recovering from the ice storm in January. Much of the debris has been picked up by the city and county, but it will take the landscape a long time to recover. Many trees were lost, or so damaged they had to be cut down, making this photo a familiar sight. I was hoping to retake this today to try some different angles and positions, but it is very overcast and there has been a little snow and a little sleet, so I am just going ahead and posting this shot.

Gray-Campbell Farmstead

The Gray-Campbell Farmstead is comprised of various elements from approximately the same time period. The home belonged to John Polk Campbell, the nephew of the founder of Springfield. It was last used as a home in the 1950's, and was re-discovered in the 1980's during road construction. It was moved to Nathaneal Greene Park, and together with two crib barns, the family cemetery, a log granary, and a detached log kitchen now give a look into early days in Springfield. Costumed guides tell the history of the farmstead. These photos are of the barn.

Greene County Courthouse

This is the Greene County Courthouse. It is the fourth and current courthouse, and was built in 1912. It is located in the north part of downtown Springfield.

Edited to upload a larger version of the same shot. I had posted this to the Where I Live side challenge on DPC and used the same file here. Thought I would take Puzzled's suggestion and use a larger file size.

Springfield Conservation Nature Center

We have finally warmed up enough to spend some time outdoors. There are several trails at the Nature Center. I have only been on a couple, but I plan to do them all this spring. For more information, here is a link to their website: http://mdc.mo.gov/areas/cnc/springfd/

Old and New

Taken in the historic district on East Walnut Street of Springfield, MO. Many of the Victorian homes on this street are now being used for businesses, but the charm is still there. (The pile in the street on the left side is limbs that were broken during the ice storm and have not been picked up yet.) The high rise in the background is condominiums, showing the contrast between what was and where we are going. (This is a block east of the first shot in this blog.)

MSU Darr Agricultural Center

This is the Darr Agricultural Center of Missouri State University (formerly Southwest Missouri State University). It is used in the agricultural program to aid in the research of horses, cattle, forestry, and agronomy. More information can be found here: http://ag.missouristate.edu/Darr%20Ag%20Center/Darr_Farm.htm
I took this through a chain link fence on a walk along the South Creek Greenway Trail, part of the Ozark Greenways Trail system.

Casper's

Casper's Restaurant in downtown Springfield. It is open from the day after Labor Day (the first Monday in September) through the last Friday in May. There are only 29 seats, and they are usually full, often with a line out the door. The specialty is chili, but you can also get hamburgers, hot dogs, stew, and a few other items, as well as two or more choices of desserts. For a complete history, visit http://www.springfieldmo.org/ektron2/uploadedFiles/caspers.pdf.

OTC-Richwood Valley Campus

Ozarks Technical Community College was established in 1990, with the first classes held in 1991. It is a two year college offering Associate degrees, with many of its graduates going on to earn a bachelor degree. The main campus in Springfield MO has grown so fast that there are now 5 campuses in the surrounding area. These shots are of the newest campus, the Richwood Valley Campus in Ozark, MO, which is holding its first classes this semester.

Chesterfield Park

Part of the play equipment at Chesterfield Park. It, like everything in Springfield, is covered with ice. We have been frozen since last Friday, and it is supposed to get above freezing this Friday only to dip back down over the weekend. More ice storm photos are posted on my other blogs (see links on right.)

Hammons Field

Well, this is not a very good second week shot, but it was the best I could come up with in the time I had. This stadium, located in downtown Springfield, was completed in 2004 and is the home of the AA Baseball League's Springfield Cardinals.

Gillioz Theatre

The Gillioz Theatre first opened on October 11, 1926, in downtown Springfield. It remained open until 1979. It has been restored and recently reopened. For the complete history, or more information, visit http://www.gillioz.org/home.html. More photos from yesterday's shoot can be seen at http://elainesfstop.blogspot.com/.

Ornament

Very large ornament hanging on the tree at Jordan Valley Park.

House at Dusk

This project is supposed to start in 2007, but as I have never had a blog before I have a lot to learn so I thought I would get an early start. This was taken in downtown Springfield last Sunday night.