"MY HOMETOWN" Princeton by miner

Princeton Travel Guide: 14 reviews and 31 photos

Gibson County was once a wilderness situated in the Northwest
Territory which, in 1784, was ceded to the United States of America by
Virginia. The State of Indiana was organized April 19, 1816. John
Severns is recognized as the first white settler in Gibson County, arriving
in 1789. He operated a ferry on the south side of the Patoka River. A
Welsh man, Severns answered the call of the colonists in the
Revolutionary War, but on his first trip home to Virginia, Indians
swooped upon the family. Severns' parents, sister, and younger brother
were killed, while he and an older brother were kept as prisoners.
Severns, a short, heavy-set man, was held captive seven years before
he was able to escape. In 1789, he penetrated the wilderness of the
Northwest Territory and he and his family settled on the south bank of
the Patoka River near what is now the town of Patoka. They lived as
cave dwellers for several months until the Indians, remnants of the
Shawnee tribe residing on the north side of the river, allowed the
family to construct a crude hut of boughs, skins and other materials.
Severns was allowed to continue his residence in that region, now
known as Severns' Bridge, and to establish a ferry upon the conditions
that he keep "firewater'' for the Indians and allow them free use of the ferry.

Originally belonging to Knox County, what is now Gibson County came
to be in 1813. The county derives its name from Gen. John Gibson, a
gallant soldier of the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War.
Gibson was born in Pennsylvania in 1740 of Scottish-Irish ancestry, and
he was well educated. In 1763, he was captured by Indians and was
adopted by a squaw whose son had died in battle. With the Indians,
Gibson mastered several languages, along with the customs of several
tribes. He was later released and he returned to business in Pittsburgh.
Gibson was appointed territorial secretary of Indiana in 1800 and held
that office until 1816. While Gen. William Henry Harrison, governor of
Indiana, was engaged in the War of 1812, Gibson was acting governor.
He died in 1822, shortly before his 82nd birthday.
. The name of the county seat was selected by the
drawing of lots among the commissioners, Prince winning. Hence,
Princeton was named.
Long before Princeton was platted and before Gibson County was
formed, pioneer James McClure deeded 30 acres of land to parties
who eventually donated 10 acres which include what is now the public
square. Named for Capt. William Prince, one of four commissioners
whose name was drawn from lots to name the settlement, Princeton's
first house was erected by Capt. Thomas Chapman in 1814. Chapman
established a hotel - The Traveler's Inn - and boarded the hands who
constructed the first courthouse. He sold the hotel in 1815.

A post office was established in Princeton in 1816, while the post office
currently used was built in 1913 for $49,500. By 1818, Princeton
businesses included a blacksmith shop, harness shop, pottery, cabinet
shop, hatter industry, gunpowder mill, distillery and a copper shop.
Princeton was incorporated as a city in 1884.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Easy going ,laid back lifestyle
Cons:No nightlife,they roll up the sidewalks at dark!!
In a nutshell:This where I live

Last visit to Princeton: Dec 2002
Intro Updated Jun 21, 2003
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (21)

Wheeling Covered Bridge Off The Beaten Path (3)

Wheeling covered Bridge is not in Princeton but it is nearby.One of only two left in Gibson County.The third historic... more travel advice

Life before computers Favorites (4)

As a boy we lived fairly close to the Patoka River.I spent a lot of my time roaming the woods and playing along the... more travel advice

Still playing on the river Favorites (4)

Fishing in the Patoka River usually was a futile effort,but it was getting back to nature.I would take my kids hiking... more travel advice

The Gibson County Courthouse - Princeton

The Gibson County Courthouse Things to Do (2)

Gibson County Courthouse Gibson County is home to one of the premier courthouses in the Midwest. The cornerstone of the... more travel advice

Nightlife (1)
Roll up the sidewalks at dark
Hotels (3)
See All DAYS INN-PRINCETON
Restaurants (4)
See All POODS

Travelogues (2)

1 - 2 of 2

Comments (17)

Reply
- Report abuse
Gwynneth Jun 20, 2005 at 9:27 PM

Princeton looks divine! Love the architecture and the flags everywhere! Greetings from Australia and me!
Reply
- Report abuse
sayedaburas Jun 15, 2005 at 8:59 PM

Great job. Thank you as well. :)
Reply
- Report abuse
ctrwoody Dec 14, 2004 at 6:45 AM

Visit Dick Ckarks on Line At www.dickclarks.com
Reply
- Report abuse
Stephen-KarenConn Aug 2, 2004 at 7:06 AM

Great home town tour, John. I would love the swimming hole on the Patoka River, and your two covered bridges.
Reply
- Report abuse
deecat Jul 19, 2004 at 6:24 PM

John, I really enjoyed reading about Princeton. It's such a typical midwestern small town, which I love dearly. I like your honesty when you critique the restaurants. Great flowers in your garden. Thanks for the tour.
Reply
- Report abuse
XenoHumph May 7, 2004 at 12:14 PM

Nice little town you live in!! You are quite a gardener, beautiful flowers! Excellent page! PS: what?? Computers did not exist in the past??? What did people DO then???
Reply
- Report abuse
hunterV Jan 1, 2004 at 7:30 AM

Looks very attracting and interesting, thanks! Happy New Year!
Reply
- Report abuse
pepples46 Oct 16, 2003 at 12:54 AM

roll up the sidewalks....hahaha klappen die Buergersteige hoch LOL but a nice Hometown you have here JJohn, thanx for showing around!!!
Reply
- Report abuse
Sweetberry1 Oct 13, 2003 at 5:16 PM

Fantastic Princeton page.. Gosh, that is a lot of train traffic.. Sounds like a lovely place to call home. ;-)
Reply
- Report abuse
may1273 Sep 17, 2003 at 10:00 PM

Hello I like your homepage. Very nice. I'll come back again.