Princeton, KS

Princeton got its start in the late 1860s as a railroad stop south of Ottawa, named by an early settler after his hometown back in Illinois. In an entertaining bit of local history, early residents from nearby Ohio City were so determined to settle near the tracks that some literally rolled their wooden houses two miles across the prairie to the new townsite. Today, that quiet country spirit carries on in a small, close-knit community surrounded by open fields and big Kansas skies.

The old railroad line has since been converted into the Prairie Spirit Trail, giving residents a scenic, car-free path for walking, jogging, and biking right through town. Local students attend Central Heights schools, heading down to Richmond each morning and cheering on the Vikings. Life here is peaceful and unhurried, with the convenience of Ottawa just a short drive up US-59 whenever you need groceries, home supplies, or an evening out.