History

The city of Marshfield can boast a rich and prosperous history. The city of Marshfield was named after our sister city, Marshfield, Massachesetts after a resident there relocated to our present day location. He named the city after his native Massachusetts home and named the county "Webster" after his hometown's native son, Daniel Webster. For many years the county court resided in Hazelwood. However, in November of 1856 they voted to authorize the building of a new court house in the present building location. Therefore the city of Marshfield was named the county seat and all county business has been conducted here ever since.

Marshfield has been nicknamed "The Top of the Ozarks" for the city is at the highest elevetion in the Ozarks. Marshfield can also clain fame for its native son, Edwin P. Hubble and Nashville Star, Justin David. Both of these men have made Marshfield the center of national attention and have represented our city to the world.

On April 18th, 1880, the Marshfield Cyclone destroyed a major portion of the city. The major disaster was one hundred five years after the famous midnight ride of Paul Revere, almost to the hour. However, nothing could prepare the city for the raging effects of the storm. Numerous citizens were killed and or wounded by the cyclone. Legendary pianist, Blind Boone would later compose the piano ballad "The Marshfield Cyclone" that was to become a national bestseller and sensation. Ripley's Believe it or Not claims that local resident, Minnie Dugan was the baby found atop the tree following the storm and that the song "Rockabye Baby, In the Tree Top" can be affiliated with this story. Delegations arrived from the town's across the Ozarks to help the city rebuild and recover. Today, the Marshfield Cyclone is still listed as one of the top 10 natural disasters in the history of the nation.

Marshfield has been host to two American Presidents, President Harry S Truman and President George Bush. The later joined his wife, Barbara on the city square to observe the city's annual Independence Day parade, which is the oldest and longest continuous parade west of the Mississippi River. The city has always been steeped in patriotism and takes great pride in the observance of the nation's birthday. For over 127 years the Declaration of Independence has been read at exactly noon at the Fourth of July celebreation.

The city is home to a variety of festivals and annual events including Harvest Days, The Cherry Blossom Festival, Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade and many other events. In April of 2006 the city made history by welcoming the largest gathering of American Presidential descendants in the history of our democracy. They gathered in Marshfield for the announcement ceremony for "the National First Families Library and Museum."

Marshfield is a growing community with numerous business and professional opportunities. Individuals relocate here on a weekly basis as they find the comfort and charm that has endeared residents for generations. Betty Lynn "Thelma Lou" of the Andy Griffith show summed up the cuty's appeal the best by saying "Marshfield is the heartbeat of the nation, a place where you can feel at home and ease. where you are welcomed, loved and appreciated."

Edwin P. Hubble - "Marshfield's Native Son"

November 20th, 1889 was a day that shall forever ring out from the pages of local history, for on that date one of the nation's most noble scientific minds would enter into this world in Marshfield. Although the birth of Edwin Powell Hubble would not grace the fron pages of newspapers across the globe, it would only serve as the beginning of an illustrious life and interesting career.

The Hubble family had a rich heritage in the local region as the astronomer's family were the proprietor's of the Hubble fruit farm. Many Hubble family members lived in nearby Springfield and remain in that location until this present day. Although, Hubble would only find his formative years within the city boundaries, he often would return during summer vacations to his native city. Area residents recall stories of these visits, where Hubble would often return "wearing knee high knickers and funny little golfing hats." His british mannerisms and dress stayed with him throughout his life.

It was clear that from his youth that Hubble thought a little differently from his peers. He would often be found studying astronomy and staring into space. He would excel in elementary in Wheaton, Illinois and would set a state record for the high jump. Hubble recieved a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and astronomy in the year 1910 from the University of Chicago. He later would serve as one of Oxford's first Rhodes Scholars. After returning to the United States he would work as a high school teacher and basketball coach in New Albany, Indiana and later would practice law in Kentuky. Hubble proudly served his country in both World War 1 as a major and later in World War 2 at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. For his service to his country he would recieve the Legion of Merit. In 1919 Hubble began to work at Mount Wilson Observatory, near present day Pasadena, California. He would develop his theories and scientific observations at the helm of this operation and would remain employed there until his death. Hubble was married to Grace and they were to bear heirs to the family legacy.

Sadly, Hubble died of a cerebral thrombosis on September 28, 1953, just a few months shy of being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Prize Committee had only just decided to recognize Hubble for his contributions to astrophysics and the Cobel Prize is never awarded posthumously. During his professional career he would devise a classification system for the galaxies and would observe the "nubulae" which lead to many other scientific studies. In his honor, the Hubble Space Telescope was named for his legacy and contributions to the field of astronomy. Today, a replica of the telescope is located on the courthouse lawn.

Throughout his life Hubble changed the study of science and the milky way. He would become a pioneer in this chosen profession and a legend in his time. Time magazine named him as one of the top 100 influential people of the century. A humble man from humble beginnings could sum up the life experience of Hubble. In a career that spanned decades he would rub elbows with Kings, Queens and every noted Hollywood celebrity of the era. Presently, his hometown boasts many signs of his accomplishments. Along with the telescope replica, the state has renamed a section of Interstate 44 in his honor and he is depicted in the city mural located on the city square. Edwin Powell Hubble not only helped change modern day science, he changed his hometown with his lasting legacy to the development of the expanding universe.