For nearly a quarter of a century, fans of “The Simpsons” have wondered where the cartoon family’s hometown of Springfield was located. While there may not be  a truly definitive answer, we now know which of the country’s many Springfields inspired creator Matt Groening: Springfield, Oregon. “The only reason is that when I was a kid, the TV show “Father Knows Best” took place in the town of Springfield, and I was thrilled because I imagined that it was the town next to Portland, my hometown,” Groening told ABC News. “When I grew up, I realized it was just a fictitious name. I also figured out Springfield was one of the most common names for a city in the [United States]. In anticipation of the success of the show, I thought, ‘This will be cool; everyone will think it’s their Springfield’; and they do.” (ABC News)