Princeton, Kentucky

Big Springs Cave in the center of Princeton

A photo of some of the damage in Princeton from the 2021 Western Kentucky tornado.

The community at the head of Eddy Creek was first called Eddy Grove for the creek's source at a large whirling spring. 1,700 acres (690 ha) of surrounding land was granted to the Virginian William Prince for his service during the American Revolution. He settled there in what was then Livingston County in 1799 and erected Shandy Hall, a brick home and tavern. Prince's heirs and another local landowner named Thomas Frazier granted 40 acres (16 ha) around Eddy Grove and Prince's Place towards the establishment of a new town in 1817, provided the courthouse of the newly formed Caldwell County was relocated there from Eddyville. The county court accepted the proposal in July and named the new community Princetown, which shortened to Princeton by the time of the Eddy Grove.[2]

Construction of Princeton College began in 1860 but was delayed by the commencement of the Civil War. Confederate troops camped on its campus in 1861, using one of the buildings as a hospital when the area came under Confederate control. Following the Confederate retreat in early 1862, Union soldiers occupied the town for the remainder of the war. In December 1864, Confederate-allied Kentuckian cavalry under Gen. Hylan B. Lyon raided the town and razed the courthouse, which was serving as a Union garrison.

The expansion of railroads in the late 19th century made Princeton an important junction on several major railway lines, most notably the Illinois Central and the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Princeton was also at the center of the Black Patch Tobacco Wars that occurred after the turn of the 20th century.

Since 1925, Princeton has housed the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center, a campus of the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture.

Princeton is located slightly southwest of the center of Caldwell County at 37°6′28″N 87°52′57″W (37.107674, -87.882479).[8] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.0 square miles (23.3 km²), of which 0.023 square miles (0.06 km²), or 0.26%, is water.

U.S. Route 62 (Kentucky) passes through the city center, leading east 12 miles (19 km) to Dawson Springs and west 12 miles (19 km) to Eddyville. Interstate 69 runs along the northern edge of Princeton, with access from exits 79 (Kentucky Route 91) and 81 (KY 293). KY 91 runs northwest from Princeton 22 miles (35 km) to Marion and southeast 28 miles (45 km) to Hopkinsville.

Hays Spring, located on Hayes Spring Road west of the city limits, is a natural spring that once supplied the water to the Princeton area.

Princeton was a prime viewing spot for the total solar eclipse of August 21, 2017. This eclipse was viewable across the United States, with its maximum peak in Princeton, where totality lasted 2 minutes and 40 seconds.[9]

TreeHouse Foods is a major employer in Princeton. Agriculture, tourism and retail are also significant sectors of the economy.

Agriculture station

The University of Kentucky Research and Education Center Botanical Garden is stationed in Princeton.[16] The original 400 acres (160 ha) of land were donated by the citizens of Caldwell County, who raised funds by public subscription for the purchase. Formal ceremonies were held September 7, 1925, for dedication of the Substation to "scientific agriculture and a better Kentucky." With an initial staff of one, early program emphasis was placed on rebuilding the depleted cropland areas and applying conservation practices to the badly eroded steeper land. Experimental work on liming, fertilizer application, and use of improved seeding mixtures was begun and structures for crop and animal production research were added. Outstanding livestock herds were established and research with pastures, grain crops, tobacco, fruits, and vegetables was expanded.

In 2012, Princeton voted to allow alcohol sales within city limits. Alcohol sales had been illegal since Prohibition.[17]

The Caldwell County Schools system administers primary, elementary, middle and high schools. It also runs a vocational school that offers programs in carpentry, agriculture, automotive technology and health services.

Caldwell County High School is home to the 1998 Class AA high school football champions. Caldwell County High School also won a state championship in football in 1963.[18]

Princeton has a public library, the George Coon Public Library.[19]

L. B. Overly House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places

As of the census[22] of 2000, there were 6,536 people, 2,810 households, and 1,798 families residing in the city. The population density was 716.1 inhabitants per square mile (276.5/km²). There were 3,150 housing units at an average density of 345.1 per square mile (133.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.20% White, 9.01% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.64% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.92% of the population.

There were 2,810 households, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.6% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,654, and the median income for a family was $33,895. Males had a median income of $31,935 versus $21,152 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,873. About 14.2% of families and 18.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.

• David Alexander, president of Pomona College and Rhodes Scholarship administrator, grew up in Princeton[23]
• James Ford, civic leader, businessman, and criminal gang leader in western Kentucky.
• J. D. Grey, Southern Baptist, clergyman.
• Charles Lisanby, pioneer in color television, 2010 inductee in Television Academy Hall of Fame.
• Rodney H. Mabry, third president of The University of Texas at Tyler for 18 years (retired, 2016)
• Greg Smith, retired professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association, born in Princeton.
• Mabel Stark, one of the first woman tiger tamers with Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus and with Al Barnes Circus in the early 1900s; spent her early life in Princeton as Mary Haynie.
• Emma Talley, golfer who won the 2013 U.S. Women's Amateur and the 2015 NCAA Women's Golf title. She was born in nearby Paducah, Kentucky, but raised in Princeton.
• Malachi Thompson, jazz trumpeter born in Princeton.
• Bross Townsend, jazz and blues pianist born in Princeton.
• Ada Henry Van Pelt, editor and inventor, born in Princeton.
• John D. Watkins, Louisiana judge, state senator, district attorney, graduate of Cumberland College in Princeton [24]

• City of Princeton official website Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine
• Caldwell County Schools