Area Travel - AmericInn^® of Princeton, IL

Welcome to Beautiful Illinois! Read about our Princeton attraction and things to do nearby AmericInn.

The early settlement of Princeton began in the 1830's when families from New England and later the Mid-Atlantic states traveled west seeking good farm land. Princeton proved to be an ideal location because the land was an undulating, mostly treeless, grass-covered plain. In addition, the soil was very fertile and well drained. When settling new land, it became common for new arrivals to come in groups to ensure congenial neighbors, schools and religious affiliations. The Hampshire Colony is believed to have been the first of these organizations to settle in Northern Illinois. The settlers arrived in Princeton in 1831, the same year the city was surveyed and a rough draft was laid out. They soon built the Hampshire Colony Congregational Church and employed as one of its earliest pastors, Owen Lovejoy, the well-known abolitionist. In addition, Reverend Lovejoy used his own home to hide runaway slaves and in 1854 he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives. Prior and during the Civil War, Princeton became an important station on the Underground Railroad. Shortly before the Civil War broke out, the citizens were able to convince the Burlington Railroad to lay its rails within a mile of the city. Within a few years the community had expanded its main street to meet the railroad and this action indeed benefited the community and insured its future growth. The first high school in the state of Illinois was built in Princeton between 1866 and 1868 with the first commencement taking place in 1870. Unfortunately, this building was destroyed by fire in 1924 and was replaced by the present building in late 1925.  

Area Attractions and Activities

Shadows of the Blue and Gray - The Shadows of the Blue and Gray is one of the Midwest's premiere Civil War Re-enactments. From the sounds of the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band, to the smell of wood smoke, to realistic military and civilian encampments to thrilling battles, to beautiful fall scenery, you will enjoy your visit to the past.
Address: City County Park
Distance: 1 mile
Phone: 815-866-2035
Hours of Operation: Every October around the second weekend.

Sandy Pine Elk Farm - Breath taking habitat that's home to over 40 elk. Take a guided wagon tour to see a close-up glimpse of some of the largest ranked bulls in the country, along with the mother cows and baby calves.
Address: 28650 Hahnaman Road, Deer Grove, IL 61243
Distance: 26 miles
Phone: 815-438-2463
Hours of Operation: August 25-October 31, Sunday-Saturday from 10am-5pm and November 1-December 23, Thursday-Sunday from 10am-5pm

Festival 56 - Festival 56 is a six week professional theatre festival located in historic Princeton, IL Each season, Festival 56 assembles from across the country a team of the most creative and talented artists living and working in professional theatre today. The festival presents a wide spectrum of programming, from free productions of Shakespeare to classic and world premier musicals and the masterworks of playwrights such as Steinbeck, Ibsen and Tennessee Williams. Festival 56 is committed to championing the American theatre as an artform by creating a home for the artists who are its heart and soul.
Address: 316 South Main Street, Princeton, IL
Distance: 2 miles
Phone: 815-879-5656
Website: www.festival56.com
Hours of Operation: Monday 10am - 5pm, Tuesday - Saturday from 10am - 7:30pm, Closed Sundays

Hornbaker Gardens - Established in 1987, Hornbaker Gardens originated as a wholesale nursery owned and operated by Rich and Kathy Hornbaker. However, after their first annual open house event, it became apparent the Hornbakers should go into the retail business. Both love to garden, and they more than welcome visitors to their extensive gardens, replete with benches, ponds, bridges, gazebos, etc. Over the years, the Hornbakers have trialed hundreds of plants in their own gardens. Today, their primary retail focus is on perennials, hostas, daylilies, aquatic plants, and grasses, along with traditional Illinois trees and shrubs, and some of the finest locally-produced garden sculpture in the country. For price lists, hours, directions, a map, and other information, please visit their website.
Address: 22937 1140 North Avenue, Princeton, IL 61356
Distance: 9 miles
Phone: 815-659-3282
Website: www.hornbakergardens.com
Hours of Operation: April 10-October 10, Monday -Saturday from 8am-5pm

Bureau Creek Orchard - Come join us at Bureau Creek Orchard! Brothers, Jay & Jeff Schenck invite you to share their third year "open to the public." Enjoy the pristine country setting among some of Princeton’s most scenic agricultural landscape. Experience a personalized tour to pick from the numerous varieties of apples, raspberries, pumpkins, and squash. Indulge in our fresh apple cider and sample some novelty apple butter, pumpkin butter, jams, and jellies from our indoor market.
Address: 14180 1400 East Street, Princeton, IL 61356
Distance: 4 miles
Phone: 815-875-6137
Website: www.bureacreekorchard.com
Hours of Operation: 10am - 5pm daily

Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home - If only for a moment, transport yourself back in time and walk in the footsteps of the greatest American President of the 20th Century ... Ronald Wilson Reagan. Learn about his boyhood and the community that formed his moral values during his formative years. Stroll through the yard where our 40th president played football, worked in the family garden and helped raise rabbits with his older brother, Neil. Tour the home that the Reagan family resided in from 1920-1923, which has been completely restored.
Address: 816 South Hennepin Avenue, Dixon, IL 61356
Distance: 30 miles
Phone: 815-288-5176
Website: www.ronaldreaganhome.com
Hours of Operation: Daily until November 1st

Owen Lovejoy Homestead - Owen Lovejoy came to Princeton in 1838 to assume the ministry of the Hampshire Colony Congregational Church and remained for 17 years. He was a fiery abolitionist who preached his views from the pulpit. This caused dissension in a community which was already divided by the slavery issue. In 1843 he was indicted by the Grand Jury for harboring two slave women, but was acquitted at his trial. Owen Lovejoy boarded with the Butler Denham family. After Denham’s death, Lovejoy married his widow. The couple had six children of their own in addition to three daughters from Mrs. Lovejoy’s first marriage. Lovejoy, an acquaintance of Abraham Lincoln, was elected to the State Legislature in 1854 and to the U. S. House of Representatives in 1856, where he served five terms. He became known nationally for his efforts on behalf of the abolition of slavery. He died on March 25, 1864, in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of 53 and was buried in Oakland Cemetery in Princeton, Illinois.
Distance: 2 miles

Red Covered Bridge -  A site to include in your visit is the Red Covered Bridge (1863) which is located just north of Interstate 80. A sign near the entrance to City-County Park indicates where to turn to the west. The bridge is one of six remaining covered bridges left in a state that once had 132. It crosses Big Bureau Creek and was part of the Peoria-Galena Trail. The following warning is still posted: “Five dollar fine for driving more than 12 horses, mules or cattle at any one time or leading any beast faster than a walk on or across this bridge.” This beautiful landmark is a delight for artists and photographers and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Address: North of Princeton
Distance: 1.5 miles
Phone: 815-875-2616

Bureau County Metro Center - 25 yard competitive indoor pool, indoor walking/running track, wading pool, racquetball/walleyball courts, jacuzzi and dry sauna, game room, full court gym with basketball and volleyball and weight room. Daily charge available.
Address: 837 Park Avenue West
Distance: 3 miles
Phone: 815-872-0840