After 25 Years, Matt Groening Reveals the Location of the Real Springfield

For more than two decades, people of the world have wondered many things…are we alone in the universe?  What is the meaning of life?  Where the hell is the Simpsons’ hometown of Springfield located?  Today, we have the answer to one of those questions…

Simpsons creator Matt Groening recently sat down with Smithsonian Magazine to talk about the long history of the show, from his humble beginnings to the first drawings to where Homer and company are now.  And one answer finally revealed the true location that many have sought after: 

“Springfield was named after Springfield, Oregon. The only reason is that when I was a kid, the TV show “Father Knows Best” took place in the town of Springfield, and I was thrilled because I imagined that it was the town next to Portland, my hometown. When I grew up, I realized it was just a fictitious name. I also figured out that Springfield was one of the most common names for a city in the U.S. In anticipation of the success of the show, I thought, ‘This will be cool; everyone will think it’s their Springfield.’ And they do.”

So there you go…after all these years, we finally realize that our wonderful Springfield is supposed to mirror the Springfield closest to our hearts.

Poetic, no?  

Make sure you check out the rest of the Smithsonian’s article for all the “Simpsons” information you always wished you knew.  It’s one hell of a read.