Princeton, Illinois

Princeton is a city located in Bureau County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 7,501. It is the county seat of Bureau County{{GR|6}}.

Geography

Princeton is located at 41°22'43" North, 89°28'1" West (41.378481, -89.466924){{GR|1}}.

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.4 km² (6.7 mi²). 17.4 km² (6.7 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Related Topics:
United States Census Bureau - Km² - Mi²

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Princeton, Illinois was supposedly named by the draw of a hat. Two city names, Princeton and Greenville, were put in a hat and Princeton was drawn. This is only a story and unconfirmed.

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Princeton's nickname is "The City of Elms" because of the huge number of elm trees the city had during the middle of the 20th century. However, an epidemic struck the elm trees of Princeton and killed off almost every single elm. However, Princeton has kept the name.

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Princeton is located on the south side of Interstate 80, and its downtown is booming with business and fast food and resturaunt chains. Princeton is also home to the largest Super Wal-Mart in the state.

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Princeton also is home to the oldest public High School in the entire state, founding in the 1850s. Its mascot is the Tigers. The high school houses anywhere between 600-800 students in a given year and is, as of 2004, creating a new addition to house the student's needs.

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Princeton's most famous tradition is the Homestead Festival, a weekend of food, celebration, and the famous Homestead Parade, which lasts for over an hour with local floats and performances by outside groups, including the South Shore Drill Team and Jesse White's tumblers.

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