Springville History

Famous Springville Residents

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Pop Warner, famous football pioneer who helped shape the game of football during its infancy, grew up in Springville. Glenn "Pop" Warner's football career spanned 50 years, and included coaching appointment at Cornell, Stanford, and Temple Universities, as well as coaching the legendary athlete Jim Thorpe to Olympic Gold Medal success in 1912. Pop Warner is highly regarded for his innovative approach to the game, which helped shape football into its present form. The single and double-wing formations, use of padding and knee guards, tackle dummies, and the hidden ball are just a few of his contributions. Pop Warner, who died in 1954, is buried in his hometown of Springville.

Jack Yellen, acclaimed songwriter whose work includes the Legendary "Ain't She Sweet" and the Franklin D. Roosevelt campaign tune "Happy Days Are Here Again," was a resident of Springville. The Buffalo native composed the lyrics for more than 130 popular songs in the '20s, 30's and '40s as well as the screen plays for several Hollywood musicals. Following a 40-year career, the late Jack Yellen retired to become a gentleman farmer in Springville.

"Grandpa" Harold Olmsted, Harvard-educated landscape and estate designer and artist, was a long-time Springville resident. Harold Olmsted was easily recognized by his trademark tam and wooden shoes.

George Schuster, internationally-acclaimed automobile pioneer, is credited with driving the winning car in the famous New York to Paris automobile race of 1908. Schuster's tenacity and stubborn refusal to quit during the 5 1/2 month long journey helped establish the U.S. as a leading manufacturer of automobiles. At the age of 82, Schuster directed the restoration of the 1907 Buffalomade Thomas Flyer automobile he drove during the race. It is on display at Hurrah's Auto Collection Museum in Reno, Nevada. A number of Schuster's descendants still reside in Springville.

Dr. Ralph Waite, a world-famous researcher and dentist who pioneered "painless dentistry" made his home in Springville. It was here that Dr. Waite established an international headquarters for the manufacture of his Anti-Dolor (no pain) anesthetic. His wide-scale distribution of the cocaine-based preparation led to the worldwide practice of pain-free dentistry.