I LOVE my Illinois town: 2 hours from Chicago

[Princeton]

Originally Posted by tball6733

Lets take a look at this city of yours. According to the latest
census the population grew by 54 in 6 years (2000/7,501-2006/7,555) a 0.07% growth rate.The average age of a residence was 41.8 vs.34.7 in Illinois as a whole. The Median home value was $98,600 vs.$183,900 for the state.The town is rather insular with a population that is 97.1% white, the next being a Hispanics population of 1.2%
15 registered sex offenders, and a crime index growing from168.6 in 2003 to 222.3 in 2005. The town is ahead of the Illinois median of property taxes to value with a rate of 1.9% vs. 1.7%. A below average % (21.4) of people with BA degrees or higher and voted for Bush by 55%
So one reason for the friendliness would be that most of the people in the town either went to school with or are related to the person they meet.Race relations certainly aren't a problem. Homes are a bargain but certainly aren't a investment and a older population can spell trouble for the school system and contribute to the flight of youth.
So yes you hv. your friendliness but don't think you aren't paying a price. The town is not where the county is today and it certainly isn't where it is heading. Insularity has ramifications especially on the young.And as to your claim for small towns does the the name Nauvoo,Ill. ring a bell. or Selma, Al., Jessup, Cty. Miss. and more recntly Jenna,La.

I must say, I'm not only impressed with the time you took to reseach my beloved town but also with your keen insight into the statement "one reason for the friendliness would be that most of the people in the town either went to school with or are related to the person they meet". You are quite correct, however, it's also the reason why "strangers" are quickly noticed which can benefit the newcomer as well as the life long residents.
You've made some very valid points in your post; certainly it will cause some to run from Princeton and others to it. I have long realized my property taxes are insane for my area yet I'm willing to pay them because of what my small town has to offer by way of cleanliness, its quaint charm, and numerous other delights, some of which were mentioned in this thread. It's interesting to see the data you've posted especially because it backs my "modern day Mayberry" statement. That being said, I'm a bit humbled by what you wrote. Perhaps it's easier for me to live here because I have the best of the percentages you gave. As I read your post, I felt a bit like a snob which is quite sobering for one who prides herself on being friendly.
I really appreciate the time you took to enlighten not only those who are looking for all Princeton has to offer but also for me. You've given me so much food for thought, I'm still chewing. Thank you.

[Princeton]

I thought of a very good example to illustrate the uniqueness of Princeton.
This weekend, Oct 13-14 there will be a civil war reenactment at our county park. I've never been but hear it's quite fabulous. From what I understand, this year is going to be the biggest since its inception 11 years ago. It's no small endeavor as you can tell by the schedule:

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2007

9:30 AM to 9 PM – Park open to public. Visit authentic re-enactor camps, merchants (sutlers) and living history demonstrations.

10:00 AM - Cricket matches begin

10:00 AM - Ladies’ Period Fashion Show

11:00 AM - Windy City Wizard Magic Show

1:00 PM - Grand Entrance of President Lincoln and Mrs. Lincoln (Max and Donna Daniels)

1:30 PM - President Lincoln’s speech

2:30 PM - Pre-battle band concert by the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band

3:00 PM - Battle re-enactment with period uniforms, musketry, cannon, cavalry

4:00 PM - Medical scenarios after battle

4:00 PM - Music by 33rd Band

6:30 PM - Night cannon fire

6:45 PM - Candlelight tours of camps

7:00 PM - Period Dress Ball with Music by 33rd Illinois Regiment Band

9:00 PM - Park closes



SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2007

9 AM to 3 PM - Park open to the public. Visit authentic re-enactor camps, merchants (sutlers) and living history demonstrations.

9:30 AM - Nondenominational Church Service

10:00 AM - Cricket matches begin

10:00 AM - Windy City Wizard Magic Show

11:00 AM - Songs of the Civil War

12:00 PM - Grand Entrance of President Lincoln and Mrs. Lincoln (Max and Donna Daniels)

12:30 PM - President Lincolns speech

1:00 PM - Songs of the Civil War

1:30 PM - Mississippi Fife and Drums

2:00 PM - Battle re-enactment followed by battalion review with Mississippi Fifes and Drums

3:00 PM - Park closes



SPECIAL EVENTS

CIVIL WAR FASHION SHOW - Saturday

Experience the fashion fads and fancies of the 1860’s. Styles from all social classes of mid-Victorian society will be re-created. Learn how the roles that women played were reflected in the clothing they wore.

GRAND ENTRANCE PARADE - Sat. and Sunday

Cheer the entrance of President and Mrs. Lincoln with cavalry, marching troops, music and a beautiful horse-drawn carriage as the Lincolns make their way from the park entrance, through the camps, to the main shelter where the President addresses the awaiting crowd. Max and Donna Daniels as President and Mrs. Lincoln bring one of our most beloved first couple to life.

CRICKET MATCHES - Sat. and Sunday

Before baseball and football, English cricket was a popular game in both the northern and the southern states. Tom Melville with will help you learn more about the game and get you started in pick-up matches all day. Challenge your friends to a game!

WINDY CITY WIZARD - Sat. and Sunday

Lots of different kinds of people followed the armies to supply goods, services and entertainment to the troops. You will marvel as Emmett Miller as the Wizard demonstrates card tricks, slight-of-hand demonstrations and his magic shows. Try to catch him in the act!

BATTLE DEMONSTRATIONS - Sat. and Sunday

Union and Confederate troops meet on the field of battle as Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery demonstrate tactical drills and battle formations of the period.

DRESS BALL, CANDLELIGHT TOURS, CONCERT, NIGHT FIRING - Sat.

Watch a special cannon fireworks show then tour the arranged stops in the campgrounds for fascinating presentations about life in the 1860’s. Listen to the 33rd Illinois Band and watch the costume ball.

CHURCH SERVICE - Sunday
A beautiful and inspiring nondenominational service that honors all soldiers and veterans.
SONGS OF THE CIVIL WAR - Sunday

The multi-talented Bob Welch performs songs of the Civil War period, singing and accompanying himself on guitar, banjo and mandolin. Bob combines storytelling and history with the music for a truly enjoyable experience.



As I said, I've never been but am very impressed by what I've heard. No doubt it's worth a trip.

[BUalumni]

I have to agree. Princeton is a wonderful town in central Illinois. Everyone there is nice and welcoming and the town is clean and well kept. Well worth a visit.

[mfrerkes]

I can't believe somebody from LaSalle-Peru is ripping on Princeton. It reminds me of the Des Moines people on the Iowa forum who are knocking Cedar Rapids for being less livable. What a sad, but entertaining line of argument. Honestly, there isn't much difference between Princeton and LS-P to be drawing that kind of inane conclusion. I will say that there's more retail/chain stores in the LaSalle-Peru area...but if we're going to use that as a common denominator then Rockford, Peoria, and the Quad Cities makes LS-P look like a ghost town. Chicago has more retail than all of downstate Illinois combined, so I guess if you don't live in Chicago, you're living in a lousy city right?

Why can't people just be happy for others who enjoy their town? I'm glad this person from Princeton likes living there. I suspect some people are so miserable in their own towns that they won't tolerate someone who is happy living somewhere else.

[notaprincetonian]

We now have a new website which will grow with time.

[url=http://www.prairieartscenter.org]Prairie Arts Center - Home[/url]

[Rocky ILL]

I LOVE and HATE MY ILLINOIS TOWN:2 HOURS NW OF CHICAGO