Princeton University?? No, Princeton, Illinois!

When Dane and I started dating and he first told me that he lived in Princeton, all I could think about was Princeton University. However, I quickly learned that Princeton, Illinois is very different from the University it is named after. Princeton, Illinois is only an hour and a half train ride west of Chicago. While you may only see corn fields leading into town, it is so much more than that! This charming town of about 8,000 people will put you straight in a Hallmark movie. The small-town hospitality, boutique shops, wonderful dining, and other fun attractions are what make this town so welcoming and special.

However, being a city girl, it was not love-at-first-sight for me. The first time I ever visited Princeton was to meet Dane’s family, and while we were driving down Main Street, I looked over at Dane and said, “This is cute, but I could never live here.” I was totally judging the town like you judge a book by its cover, not even having gone in a store or met the friendly residents, I had already written it off.

Well, I guess you should never say never! After several more visits to Princeton, it slowly grew on me. I started to fall in love with the quaintness and charm. It was actually when I went to the Flour House for the first time that I came back to Dane and said, “Okay, I take it back, I could live here!” And it was ME who suggested we move to Princeton after we were married. Who knew that our move to Princeton would change our lives forever!

Princeton has an amazing history that adds even more to its charm.  Its roots go back to the 1830s when settlers from New England decided to brave the frontier and cultivate the land.  The opportunity for rich farmland and coal mining continued to new migrants to Princeton.  They came by train or followed Route 6—the first transcontinental highway—which passed right through Princeton. 

Today, many buildings—including the Knox Hotel!—and large Victorian homes from the 1800s still stand and offer a vision of the past. 

Take it from me, Princeton is well worth the trip, whether it’s a quick visit, weekend getaway, or a lifetime!