"Springfield was incorporated as a city March 21, 1850. J.M. Hunt, the first mayor of Springfield, presided at the first meeting of the city council held May 18, 1850. Over the years, Springfield has nicknames that include Champion City, for the Champion reaper that was produced during the 1800s; Home City, for the retirement homes of the Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of for Springfield's 33 greenhouses that produce more roses than any other city in the world."