The Unofficial Simpsons Tour of Springfield (2024)

The Unofficial Simpsons Tour

We are sure Springfield, Oregon is the real Simpsons' Springfield. Matt Groening has said so himself, once signing a plaque "To the REAL Springfield," and once in an interview with the "Smithsonian." We invite you to take a photo opportunity tour and check out the "proof" along the way. Here areseveral must-see stops for "The Simpsons" fans.

1. Springfield Horseman Statue

Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
101 S A St, Springfield

In the show, the town square memorial depicts Jebediah Springfield. In Springfield, OR an unknown rider presides over the entrance to the city. UO art student Charles Forrester designed Springfield's statue in 1960 for Oregon's 1959 Centennial. It is adjacent to two small riverfront parks and the Historic Springfield Depot which houses the Chamber of Commerce.

In 2007, Springfield painted the statue "Simpsons yellow" as part of the national competition for premiering "The Simpsons Movie."

2. The Simpsons Mural and Life Size Simpsons Family

Emerald Art Center
500 Main St (Corner of 5th and Main St), Springfield
Open Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.; and until 7 p.m. on the 2nd Friday of every month

Approved by the Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a mural of "The Simpsons" graces the west wall of the Emerald Art Center. The mural is a collaboration by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation print artist Julius Preite and "The Simpsons" creator Matt Groening. The 15 by 30 foot mural was installed by the Old City Artists in 2014. Yeardley Smith, the voice of Lisa Simpson, presided over the mural's dedication.

Inside the Emerald Art Center sits the life size Simpsons family on the cardboard prop couch used for the movie premiere. There is just enough room to sit beside them for a photo opportunity. The Emerald Art Center hosts art workshops, rotating exhibits and a gift shop. Walking around downtown Springfield, discover over eight other community murals.

3. Simpsons Plaque Signed by Matt Groening

Springfield's City Manager's Office
225 Fifth St, Springfield
Open Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Directly behind the Springfield Museum in Springfield's City Manager's office hangs a plaque on which Matt Groening wrote "Yo to Springfield, Oregon - the real Springfield! Your pal, Matt Groening proud Oregonian!"

Removed: The Pioneer Statue

Many claim "The Simpsons" statue of Jebediah Springfield was based on the bronze pioneer statue formerly on the University of Oregon campus. Installed in 1919 by Alexander Phimister Proctor, it depicted a trapper carrying a rifle. In 2020, this statue along with the "Pioneer Mother", was pulled down by protestors.

Spot the Simpsons in Springfield & Eugene

While many visitors come toSpringfield, ORto search out physical sites fromThe Simpsonstelevision show... and while many people still point toinspirational remnants attributed from Matt Groening's era in Springfield — it does require some imagination, and a dive into the archives, as Springfield has changed its buildings, skyline and personality over the decades.

But the clever Simpsons' fan that looks around will start to see the impact that Bart left on the community...possibly with a paintcan in hand...

Throughout the historic core of downtown Springfield, and even along the downtown side streets of Shelbyville (Eugene), tributes toThe Simpsonspop upin unexpected places.

Start with theofficial Simpsons mural(2014) on the west wall of theEmerald ArtCenterbuilding... this celebrated mural was christened by FOX television and Matt Groening himself, and even Yeardley Smith, the voice of Lisa Simpson,came out for its big reveal. (Go inside the Emerald Art Cent to take pictures with the Simpsons on their living room couch!)

Despite this one official, glorious mural —over time, smaller, sneakier street art has crept into building cervices and along side streetsto celebrate and immortalize Springfield's fictional alter-ego.

Now... before you go blaming Bart, it seems that much of this recent street art can be attributed to local muralistBayne Gardner. Gardner has worked with the respective cities and private businesses to place murals of all types across the Eugene - Springfield metro area. His diverse paintings were part of theEUG 20x21 mural projectdedicated to increasing public art in the roll out to the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 at Hayward Field. And you can also see his work in the children's corridors at PeaceHealth'sRiverbend hospital, on the side of local businesses, and in the training rooms beneathHayward Field. A self-taught artist, Bayne is generous with his time, often involving students in collaborative schoolprojects. And because of his playful nature... he doesn't like to announce all his mural locations — you have to spot them yourself!

In downtown Springfield there are over 26 tributes to the Simpsons hidden about town including one of Bayne's earliest — Blinky the three-eyed fish. From psychedelic Krusty to Sasquatch Homer, the characters and scenes depicted are fun and surprising. Indowntown Eugeneyou'll find pink sprinkle donuts and an alien Maggie, with over six murals across building facades or hidden in alleys. Want to find them yourself? We encourage you to ride abikeshare bicyclearound on a self-styled Simpsons mural scavenger hunt — and then check your success by visiting the Emerald Art Center in downtown Springfield — they have a "cheat sheet" map of many of the Simpson locations. But we are not promising that's all of them... so keep looking!