Map to Springfield [Simpsons]

CDiehl · Post by **CDiehl** » 2004-05-28 02:43pm

It could also be in Maryland or New Jersey by that reasoning. They both have western coasts also.

Regarding the assertion from Behind the Laughter, the first time it aired, the narrator said they were from Missouri instead. When I saw it the second time and Kentucky was subsituted, I had assumed every rerun would have a different state, in keeping with the running joke that nobod knows where it is, but Kentucky has been said in that spot every time since.

Really, Springfield is not in any actual state, but in a generic one containing elements from different parts of the country. They have alkali flats (The Springfield Badlands, where Krusty commandeered an EBS tower to broadcast his show from) and a coastal town (Little Pagwamattasquarmsettport, where the Flanders' beach house is found) in a few hours' drive of Springfield. Their state flag looks like no other (red, white and blue horizontal stripes and a green star in the middle), and has the words "Not Just Another State" written on it. The town of Springfield was founded by settlers from Maryland seeking New Sodom, the neighboring town of Shelbyville (Springfield's beloved lemon tree stands on the border between them) allows cousins to marry and their state was founded by circus performers (hence Homer can box).

Trogdor · Post by **Trogdor** » 2004-05-28 03:09pm

The location of Springfield is a running joke in the series, and I've never really given it any thought. The only clues I can really remember are that

1. Springfield is in a northern state. This is said when Bart and Lisa go on a field trip to the state capital and the state congress say they need to change the flag b/c it's got a Confederate symbol, which is really embarressing "particularly because we are a northern state."

2. It's not on the east coast. Kevin Scorpio managed to take it over with his nuclear powered doomsday device in that one episode, IIRC, and the Simpsons were unaffected when they returned to Spingfield.

2 1/2. West Springfield is three times the size of Texas. Not helpful at all in pinpointing the town, but I always thought this one was funny.

Bob the Gunslinger · Post by **Bob the Gunslinger** » 2004-05-28 03:38pm

DPDarkPrimus wrote:
AnimeJet wrote:However, i've always wondered if they have they said which state this Spring Field is in.
Kentucky.

On Homer's Driver's License (back when the series was good) the state is listed as "NT." According to the writers, this stands for "North Tacoma."

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2004-05-28 04:18pm

Howedar wrote:
RedImperator wrote:
DPDarkPrimus wrote: Kentucky.
It's not Kentucky. Springfield is somewhere on the Pacific Coast. The town is by the ocean and the sun sets over the water. That's been consistent throghout the series run.
Not entirely true, it could also be in Florida.

Yes, Florida is well known for its mountains and salt flats.

The Kernel · Post by **The Kernel** » 2004-05-28 04:24pm

Howedar wrote:Not entirely true, it could also be in Florida.

No it couldn't, since the Simpsons actually decide to take a trip to Florida, which they wouldn't do if they already lived there now would they?

StimNeuro · Post by **StimNeuro** » 2004-05-28 06:40pm

Howedar wrote:Not entirely true, it could also be in Florida.

Springfield must be on the West Coast. In the episode where Homer joins the navy, he takes a submarine all over the Pacific before finally heading straight towards Springfield. And turning sharply away. This all takes place on a map, with Springfield somewhere on the West Coast.

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2004-05-28 08:23pm

It is also within less than a day's driving distance of Las Vegas. You see that in the episode where Homer takes Ned to Vegas and they drive in less than a day.