What is Tom Watkins? Well, I’d love to share that it is a neighborhood on the north side of Springfield that extends from Kearney down to Division through to West Bypass and I-44. It is a part of Springfield that isn’t well known or recognized; it is “Out of many, one.”
Our neighborhood encompasses plenty of businesses along with residential and a few local landmarks such as a city park, a community center, a walking bridge, a fire station and Williams Elementary School.
Who was Tom Watkins? “Old Uncle” Thomas Tennyson Watkins was the founder and president of Citizens Bank and helped many through the Depression, especially farmers. He helped individuals get loans and help sustain their livelihood. He embodied the Bible verse, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” He died of a stroke at the age of 98 in 1963 after a fall in his home on North Robberson. In a story about his passing in the Springfield Leader & Press, he was referred to as the “No. 1 citizen of southwest Missouri.”
Postmaster C. Arch Bay said about Watkins, “Tom Watkins exemplified all that was good in a man.”
Who really knows how much of an impact Watkins left with many families? We want to do the same as he did with our namesake neighborhood. Maybe this is why we have the tagline “Out of many, one,” because when you come together for the greater good, you make a huge impact that extends more than just our neighborhood.
We would love for you to join us at our meetings on the fourth Tuesday of May, August and November. Along with our major events like our Block Party at 12:30 p.m., May 18, at Tom Watkins Park, as well as our Lantern Walk in October. If you are a resident or just a community member, we’d love to have you join us.