Princeton is an active town in central Illinois
The charming central Illinois city of Princeton is known for its historic architecture and community activity. This community keeps a busy year-round schedule of events and boasts two historic Main Street commercial districts. Princeton is also the county seat of Bureau County. Traditionally an agricultural community, it is surrounded by farmland while being conveniently located to Interstate 80. “It’s a really friendly town,” says Roxana Noble of BHHS Central Illinois Realtors, who lives in Princeton and is a lifelong resident of the area. “If you don’t know people when you come here, you sure will in a week. Princeton has a lot of things going for everyone. We have art exhibits, a beautiful library and fairgrounds that have lots of different activities and attractions from spring through the fall. It’s a medium-sized town that has an intimate feel or can feel like you are in the city.”
Historic architecture stands out
The community features a collection of mostly older homes, several of which have recently been renovated. The Colonial Revival style is most common, and bungalows are also prominent. However, Victorian-style homes stand out the most for their striking architecture. Most homes are found on traditional neighborhood streets shaded by mature trees. Midcentury ranch-style homes and contemporary homes with driveways and attached garages are found in other residential settings, including dedicated subdivisions. Acreage homes and manufactured homes can be found on the outskirts of town, and multi-family alternatives include townhouses and condos. Prices typically start around $90,000 and can approach $400,000. Residents can expect a climate featuring hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
Homestead Festival celebrates the community's roots
The signature event here is the annual Homestead Festival, a week that honors Reverend Owen Lovejoy, a noted abolitionist and key figure in the growth of the Republican Party on the state and national level. “It’s kind of a celebration of the founding of our town,” Noble says. “There’s huge parade, and lunch in the park by the courthouse.” Lovejoy’s Princeton home, a stop on the Underground Railroad, is now a museum. The community is also home to the Bureau County Historical Society. Other popular Princeton events include the Bureau County Fair and the Z Tour Bike Ride, a charity fundraiser that begins and ends at Zearing Park. Proceeds benefit the Zearing Child Enrichment Center. Several cultural events are sponsored by the Prairie Arts Center.
Main Street features two commercial districts
Local stores and restaurants are concentrated along Main Street. “There’s the north end district and the south end district,” Noble says. “The north end is more historic. It has shops that cater to people who come in from the city. They sell a lot of unique items, and the shopkeepers highlight a lot of the town’s history. The south end is more of a modern commercial district.” The south end of Main Street is anchored by a town square that is the site of the county courthouse and Soldiers and Sailors Park. More shopping and dining options can be found north of downtown heading toward Interstate 80.
Parks, nearby river are popular destinations
Zearing Park features athletic fields and a fishing pond. The pool at Alexander Park is a popular seasonal attraction. Bureau County Metro Center offers even more recreational amenities in an indoor setting. Big Bureau Creek and the Illinois River are local waterways that cater to anglers and other outdoors enthusiasts. Golfers can play on nearby courses.
School district includes five community schools
“We have a wonderful school system,” says Noble, a retired teacher. “There are multiple elementary schools, a junior high, and a high school with lots of sports activities.” Douglas Elementary and Jefferson Elementary school, which serves students through second grade, do not have Niche scores. Lincoln Elementary School, which serves third and fourth graders, earns a B from Niche, and Logan Junior High, which serves fifth through eighth graders, earns a C-plus. Those four make up Princeton Elementary School District 115, rated B-minus by Niche. Princeton Township High School, which also earns a B, is rated as the second-best high school in Bureau County. Students can transfer out of district, but parents would have to cover the costs, including transportation and tuition fees.
Amtrak connection to Chicago is a popular amenity
OSF Saint Clare Medical Center is a convenient community hospital. I-80 and nearby I-39 provide access to points of interest nearby, such as the La Salle-Peru region. Peoria is a little over 50 miles away via Illinois Route 29. That city is home to General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport. I-80 offers access to Chicago, about 115 miles away. The city is also an Amtrak stop. “We can hop on the train and be in Chicago in about an hour and 45 minutes,” Noble says. “The ladies love it, because they can go there for shopping and be back the same day.”
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Matt Pallister
