Princeton, Indiana

Princeton, Indiana

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Princeton, Indiana
native_name =
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =



imagesize =
image_caption = East Face of Princeton's best-known landmark, the 1884 Gibson County Courthouse


image_



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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location in the state of Indiana


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Indiana
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Gibson
subdivision_type3 = Township
subdivision_name3 = Patoka
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Robert J. Hurst (D)
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
leader_title2 =
leader_name2 =
leader_title3 =
leader_name3 =
established_title =
established_date =
established_title2 =
established_date2 =
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
area_magnitude = 1 E7
area_total_km2 = 12.6
area_total_sq_mi = 4.8
area_land_km2 = 12.6
area_land_sq_mi = 4.8
area_water_km2 = 0
area_water_sq_mi = 0
area_water_percent = 0
area_urban_km2 =
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
population_as_of = 2007
population_note =
population_total = 10,974
population_density_km2 = 848.8
population_density_sq_mi = 1903.1
population_metro =
population_density_metro_km2 =
population_density_metro_sq_mi =
population_urban =
timezone = CST
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
latd = 38 |latm = 21 |lats = 13 |latNS = N
longd = 87 |longm = 34 |longs = 14 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 121
elevation_ft = 430
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 47670
area_code = 812
website =
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 18-62046GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0452074GR|3
footnotes =
Princeton is a city in Patoka Township, Gibson County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 8,175 and is part of the greater Evansville, Indiana metropolitan area. The city is the county seat of Gibson CountyGR|6.

Geography

Princeton is located at coor dms|38|21|13|N|87|34|14|W|city (38.353617, -87.570541)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of convert|4.8|mi|km|abbr=on, all of it land. However, like Fort Branch, Princeton has had two major annexations of adjacent lands to bring its total area to convert|5.6|mi|km|abbr=on, 0.1% of it water and rest being land with a population of 10,974 people as of 2007.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 8,175 people, 3,451 households, and 2,146 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,703.1 people per square mile (648.8/km²). There were 3,806 housing units at an average density of 792.9/sq mi (302.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.36% White, 5.36% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.26% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.

There were 3,451 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,689, and the median income for a family was $37,308. Males had a median income of $28,076 versus $19,825 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,049. About 15.0% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Princeton is a largely blue-collar community; most non-industrial companies simply provide services directly to residents of Princeton and its surrounding towns. Major employers include Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, located 3 miles to the south, nearly halfway between Princeton and Fort Branch, where the Toyota Tundra, Sequoia, and Sienna are manufactured; and Hansen Corporation. Many Toyota suppliers have manufacturing facilities between the plant site and the city. These suppliers include EnovaPremier, Vuteq, TISA, Millennium Steel, Gibson County Quality Assurance, and Product Action International. All of these facilities were either built or converted from other uses to furnish supplies, part and services to TMMI. Siemens AG at one point had research and manufacturing facilities in Princeton, but the factory was closed in the early 1990s and the research facility was closed soon after.

Toyota's announcement in late 1995 that it would be building a $1 billion manufacturing facility in Princeton created an economic boom, as many of Toyota's suppliers also built plants in or near Princeton to minimize shipping and logistical expenses. Additionally, many service businesses located in town to satisfy the needs of the employees, many of whom would be relocating to the Princeton area from elsewhere. However, the arrival of Toyota was not without controversy. Many objected to the ten-year tax abatement offered as part of the incentive package to induce Toyota to locate in the area, and others were worried by the fact that it would likely not be unionized (as of 2008, it is not).

More recently, many chain stores more typically associated with significantly larger towns, such as Applebee's, Sears, and Menard's, have chosen to locate in Princeton. Additionally, in mid-2006 plans to expand the current Wal-Mart store into a Super Wal-Mart were announced. Many analysts believe that much of this is due to the Interstate 69 extension project--at the time many of these businesses moved to town, the leading proposal for the project was to upgrade U.S. 41 (it was later decided to build Interstate 69 over a new-terrain route, which would travel through nearby Oakland City).

History

In 1800 the Indiana Territory was created with Vincennes (Knox County) as its capital. The rich farmlands in the southwest of the territory with access to the Ohio River attracted many pioneers and settlers to the area, one of whom was an Irish immigrant named William Prince (Indiana). Born in 1772, he immigrated to America 22 years later. He would become a Gibson County Commissioner and the namesake for the county seat of Princeton.

The year 1813 saw the move of the territorial capital east from Vincennes to Corydon and the creation of Gibson County. Gibson had previously been part of the vast Knox County which covered all the land of southwestern Indiana, bordered by the Wabash and Ohio Rivers. By early 1814, settlers to this area were asking for a “seat of justice,” or county seat. Captain William Prince was one of four commissioners who located the seat at the half-way stand on the Evansville and Vincennes stage line. By drawing of lots, commissioners decided to name the town after Captain Prince.

The iconic symbol of Princeton is the Gibson County Courthouse. It has been featured as a collectible figurine by the Department 56 Original Snow Village. A post office was established in Princeton as early as 1816. The local newspaper, the Princeton Daily Clarion, was first published in 1846. Lyles Station, a small community just west of Princeton, was founded by freed Tennessee slave Joshua Lyles in 1849. It served as a haven for runaway slaves who braved the Ohio River on a northern trek towards freedom.

The Wabash and Erie Canal ran through the nearby towns of Francisco and Port Gibson, providing a means of reaching distant markets with goods from Princeton. The 1850’s saw the advance of the railway system through Indiana, spelling doom for the canal system. The Evansville and Terre Haute Railroad line was run through town in 1852 and the Princeton Depot was constructed in 1875. The railroad became a boon to Princeton’s industry as the Southern Railway Shops were constructed on the edge of town in 1892. Other industry included the Heinz plant (because of the area’s famed tomatoes good for ketchup making) and Princeton Coal Mine.

In 1925, half of Princeton was devastated by the Great Tri-State Tornado. The deadliest tornado in US history claimed 70 lives in Indiana with over half of those in Princeton.

Toyota Motor Company opened a truck manufacturing plant in Princeton in 1998 to build a new full-size pickup and SUV. Toyota significantly increased production at the plant in 2000.

On April 18, 2008, Princeton was shook by the 2008 Illinois earthquake, epicentered approximately convert|18.5|mi|km|0 away near West Salem, Illinois.

Government and politics

Princeton is governed by a mayor and a five-member city council, all of whom are elected for four-year terms. The current mayor is Robert J. Hurst; he was selected as mayor by a Democratic caucus after Shirley Robb, his predecessor, died in office at age 85. City functions are divided among the Police Department, Sanitation Department, Parks and Recreation Department, Street Department, Sewer Department, Water Department, Water Treatment Plant, and the Princeton Fire Territory (formed from a controversial merger between the Princeton Fire Department and the Patoka Township Fire Department in early 2006).

Like most Midwestern small towns, Princeton's citizens are generally socially conservative. However, its largely blue-collar population—including factory workers, skilled tradesmen, and coal miners—and significant union membership means that there is no general bias towards either the Republican or Democratic Party; however, Princeton's Democrats tend to be considerably more socially conservative than those in other parts of the country.

Recreation

Princeton has three main city parks, administered by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Lafayette Park, on the city's north side, is the largest. It features a fishing pond, shelter houses, a playground, an open general-purpose recreation area, and a stage for public performances. The city swimming pool is adjacent to Lafayette Park, as is Kiddie Land, a playground for very young children. Gil Hodges field, where the Princeton Community High School baseball team plays its home grounds, is also located on the park property.

The other two city parks are South Side Park, located on the south side of town and featuring softball diamonds used by recreational softball leagues; and Dorothy "Deda" Young Park, near the center of town, with a playground and skateboard park.

In addition to the public parks, Princeton is home to many privately-owned recreational facilities. The Gibson County Fairgrounds, located on the north side near Lafayette Park, is the site of Indiana's oldest county fair, started in 1852 [ [http://www.gibsoncountyfair.com/pages/previous-fairs.htm The first Indiana State Fair Queen Pageant was held in 1958 when Carol Parks of Montgomery County was crowned ] ] . East of town, YMCA Camp Carson hosts over 1,000 youth each summer in summer camp programs ranging from two days to two weeks. The Gibson County Fish and Wildlife Conservation Club owns several acres just outside of town with a fishing lake, camping, and a banquet hall for members.

Media

Radio
* FM 98.1 WRAY-FM - Country Music / Programs
* AM 1250 WRAY-AM - News / Talk / Programs

Television
*06 W06BD - Princeton Community High School

Newspapers
*Princeton Daily Clarion - Mon-Fri Circulation
*Gibson County Today - Mon-Fri Circulation

Schools

* Brumfield Elementary School
* Lowell North School
* Lowell South School
* Princeton Community Middle School
* Princeton Community High School
* St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School
* Bethel Christian School

Famous natives and residents

* Gil Hodges
* Michael E. Pegram
* Orville Redenbacher
* Dave Niehaus (Seattle Mariners play-by-play announcer)
* David J. Lawson
* Michael A. Banks American author born in Princeton in 1951
* Gary Burton
* Gary Denbo (Toronto Blue Jays Major League Hitting Coach)

See also

* List of Mayors of Princeton, Indiana
* Lyles Station, Indiana

References

External links


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