Princeton, British Columbia, is a charming town nestled in the Similkameen area of southern British Columbia, Canada. This former mining and railway hub is located at the confluence of the Tulameen and Similkameen Rivers, just east of the Cascade Mountains. It's a place where history and nature intertwine, offering visitors a unique blend of cultural heritage and outdoor activities.
The history of Princeton, British Columbia, dates back to 1860 during the Similkameen Gold Rush. John Fall Allison pre-empted 65 hectares of farmland northeast of the river fork, marking the beginning of the community. The town was initially named Prince Town in honor of the Prince of Wales, who visited Eastern Canada in 1860. However, the name was soon revised to Princeton.
Throughout the 1860s and 1870s, Princeton served as the administrative center for the Similkameen District and a cattle center. The town grew steadily, with the establishment of hotels, restaurants, sawmills, and government buildings. Princeton was incorporated as a village municipality in 1951 and as a town municipality in 1978.
Princeton's industrial history is marked by the establishment of the British Columbia Copper Mining Co in 1883 and the commencement of exploratory coal mining in 1898. The town also saw the rise and fall of the Princeton Brewing Co and the British Columbia Portland Cement Company.
Despite the challenges, Princeton adapted and evolved. Forestry and mining have been the dominant industries, but tourism and agriculture developed in the latter half of the century. More recently, pharmaceutical cannabis production emerged around 2020.
Princeton's railway history is intertwined with the Great Northern Railway (GN) and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP). The GN-owned Vancouver, Victoria and Eastern Railway (VV&E) entered Princeton in November 1909. The CP-owned Kettle Valley Railway (KV) joined the GN track in Princeton in April 1915.
Princeton, British Columbia, has seen significant developments in road and air transport over the years. The town is served by the South Okanagan-Similkameen Transit System, providing connections to other BC Transit services at Penticton. Princeton Aerodrome, while not served by any scheduled carriers, was formerly home to an Air Cadet Gliding Program.
Princeton and its surrounding area have served as filming locations for several movies. Notably, Burt Reynolds' film "Malone" (1987) and Sean Penn's "The Pledge" (2001), starring Jack Nicholson, were partly shot in the area.
Princeton faced a significant challenge in 2021 when a flood submerged half the town. However, the community bounced back, revitalizing the downtown area with bronze wildlife statues, sidewalk upgrades, and enhancements to the visitor center and RV campground.
Princeton, British Columbia, offers a variety of cultural and leisure activities. From the Bronze Sculpture Walk and the Princeton and District Museum and Archives to biking or hiking the KVR or China Ridge trails, there's something for everyone. The town also hosts annual events like the Princeton Pro Rodeo, Princeton Racing Days, and the Princeton Traditional Music Festival.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Princeton had a population of 2,894 living in 1,377 of its 1,521 total private dwellings, a change of 2.3% from its 2016 population of 2,828.
Princeton has a continental climate with semi-arid influences. It's one of the sunniest places in British Columbia, with 2,088 hours of sunshine annually. The town's location just east of the Cascade mountains gives it a rain shadow effect, resulting in very little precipitation relative to areas on the windward side of the mountains.
Princeton, British Columbia, is a town rich in history and natural beauty. Whether you're a history buff, an outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for a peaceful getaway, Princeton has something to offer.
