[photogallerylink id=66579 align=left]It’s a question that’s been plaguing Simpsons fans for 22 years:

Where in the world is Springfield, USA?!

And finally, FINALLY we have an answer. Simpsons’ creator Matt Groening revealed Springfield’s location in an interview with Smithsonian magazine. Get ready for the big reveal…

And the answer to the actual location that the Simpsons’ hometown is named for?

Springfield, Oregon!

Groening himself grew up near Portland, Oregon. And in his interview with the Smithsonian, Groening said that he named the Simpsons’ town after the TV show “Father Knows Best”, which took place in, you guessed it, a town called Springfield.

Says Groening:

“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.”

Well, until now. We’d like to express our condolences to all of the Missouri folks over the years who were sure it was “their” Springfield. Keep dreaming, fellas.

Although we can’t blame them too much. We’d like to think that it’s our Springfield, too.

[Source: Yahoo via Smithsonian Magazine]