Ronald Reagan Trail: Princeton

Princeton's Victory Monument

Princeton is the next between-Dixon-and-Eureka town on the Ronald Reagan Trail. Eureka College was founded in 1855 by abolitionists and Princeton was a stop on the underground railroad. One of the Princeton stations was the Owen Lovejoy Homestead on the east side of the Bureau County town of 7,000.

Until Interstate 80 crossed Illinois, US Route 6, which bisects the town, was the town's main highway. But like another Midwestern I-80 town, North Platte, Nebraska. which enjoyed a similar benefit from US Route 30, Princeton is just close enough to the newer road so the town could expand and embrace it.

The White House

But the charms are in downtown near Route 6. My favorite is the building called the White House. Princeton has another "famous building," the Apollo Theater.

Actor Josh Taylor, who I wrote about in my Chillicothe post, was born in Princeton. Richard Widmark, who appeared in over 70 movies, starring in many of them, grew up there. He was a Hollywood contemporary of Reagan, but I don't believe they acted together. Widmark also lived briefly in Henry, our previous stop on the trail. Of Reagan, Widmark said, "When I knew him, he was an affable, boring fellow. Now he's an icon. It's incredible." The star of The Long Ships and Cheyenne Autumn was a lifelong liberal.

The Apollo Theater

As with many small Illinois towns, Princeton has a Civil War monument. It's 50 feet tall and topped with a winged victory statue. The monument now salutes all veterans.

Princeton was originally settled by New Englanders. The next town in this series, Ohio, probably was founded by people from the Buckeye State. Dontcha think?

Thanks to go out to my good friend Curt Mercadante of Morris, Illinois for his assistance in researching this post.

Below is the Reagan Trail YouTube entry on Princeton.



Earlier posts:

Henry
Chillicothe
Peoria Heights

Downtown Princeton

Washington, Illinois
The town of Eureka
Eureka College's Reagan Museum
Returning to Eureka College and the 1982 address
Eureka College
Carl Sandburg
Galesburg
Wyatt Earp
Monmouth

North Platte posts:

Wool caps for Marines: North Platte Canteen spirit endures
The North Platte Canteen
July 4, 1882: Buffalo Bill Cody and the birth of the rodeo
Buffalo Bill's Scout's Rest Ranch

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