Princeton, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Princeton, Missouri
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Mercer County Courthouse and downtown
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Location in Mercer County and the state of Missouri
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| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Mercer |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.60 sq mi (4.15 km2) |
| • Land | 1.59 sq mi (4.12 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 899 ft (274 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,007 |
| • Density | 633.73/sq mi (244.71/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
64673
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| Area code(s) | 660 |
| FIPS code | 29-59942 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2396281 |
Princeton is a city in Mercer County, Missouri, in the United States. It is the main city and the county seat, which means it is where the county government is located. In 2020, about 1,007 people lived there. Princeton is also known as the birthplace of Calamity Jane, a famous frontierswoman from the Old West.
Contents
History of Princeton
Princeton was officially planned and laid out in 1846. The city got its name to remember the Battle of Princeton. This was an important battle during the American Revolutionary War. A post office has been open in Princeton since 1846, helping people send and receive mail for a long time.
Two important buildings in Princeton are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the Herbert Cain and Corah Brantley Casteel House and the Leo Ellis Post No. 22, American Legion Building. They are recognized for their historical value.
Geography and Location
Princeton is located in the northern part of Missouri. It sits right in the middle of Mercer County.
Roads and Rivers
U.S. Route 65 goes through the east side of the city. This road can take you south to Trenton (about 24 miles away) or north to Lineville, Iowa (about 13 miles away). Another main road, U.S. Route 136, passes through the north side of Princeton. It briefly joins US 65. This road leads east to Unionville (about 33 miles away) and southwest to Bethany (about 28 miles away).
The city covers about 1.60 square miles. Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. The Weldon River touches the western edge of Princeton. Wildcat Creek, which flows into the Weldon River, touches the eastern edge. The city is built on a raised area between these two waterways. The Weldon River is part of a larger system that flows into the Missouri River.
Climate
Princeton has a climate with hot summers. Winters are usually dry, but days often stay above freezing. This means there isn't a lot of snow, even if nights get cold. Because Princeton is far from the ocean, temperatures can change a lot between summer and winter.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 249 | — | |
| 1870 | 389 | 56.2% | |
| 1880 | 1,240 | 218.8% | |
| 1890 | 1,410 | 13.7% | |
| 1900 | 1,575 | 11.7% | |
| 1910 | 1,385 | −12.1% | |
| 1920 | 1,576 | 13.8% | |
| 1930 | 1,509 | −4.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,584 | 5.0% | |
| 1950 | 1,506 | −4.9% | |
| 1960 | 1,443 | −4.2% | |
| 1970 | 1,328 | −8.0% | |
| 1980 | 1,264 | −4.8% | |
| 1990 | 1,021 | −19.2% | |
| 2000 | 1,047 | 2.5% | |
| 2010 | 1,166 | 11.4% | |
| 2020 | 1,007 | −13.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Princeton changes over time. In 2010, there were 1,166 people living in the city. By 2020, the population had decreased slightly to 1,007 people.
Life in Princeton
In 2010, there were 525 households in Princeton. About 28% of these households had children under 18 living there. The average age of people in the city was about 40 years old. Roughly a quarter of the residents were under 18, and another quarter were 65 or older.
Education
Princeton has its own school district, called the Princeton R-V School District. This district includes:
- An elementary school for students from kindergarten to 6th grade.
- A junior high school for 7th and 8th graders.
- Princeton High School for students in grades 9 through 12.
The city also has a public library, known as the Mercer County Library. It is a great place for everyone to read and learn.
Notable People from Princeton
Many interesting people have come from Princeton, Missouri. Some of them include:
- Russ Derry – A professional baseball player who played in MLB.
- Arthur M. Hyde – He was a governor of Missouri and later served as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
- Ira B. Hyde – He was a U.S. congressman in the 1870s.
- Laurance M. Hyde – He became a judge on the Missouri Supreme Court.
- Calamity Jane – Also known as Martha Jane Cannary, she was a famous frontierswoman.
- Mervin Kelly – A physicist who worked at Bell Labs.
- Christopher Langan – Some journalists have called him "the smartest man in America."
- Minnetta Theodora Taylor – An author, poet, and clubwoman who supported women's right to vote.
Images for kids
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Princeton historical marker
See also
In Spanish: Princeton (Misuri) para niños
