Princeton in Bureau County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Owen Lovejoy Home
Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, June 27, 2011
1. Owen Lovejoy Home Marker
This two-story frame structure was the home of abolitionist Owen Lovejoy, who was born in Maine in 1811. Lovejoy moved into the house in 1838, when he became a Congregationalist minister. He was leader in the formation of the Republican Party in Illinois, and he served as a representative in the state legislature, 1855-1857, and in the United States Congress from 1857 until his death in 1864. His home was well known as a shelter for runaway slaves. Owen was a younger brother of Elijah Lovejoy, abolitionist editor, who was killed by a mob at Alton in 1837.
Erected 1972 by the Committee for the Restoration of the Owen Lovejoy Home and the Illinois State Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Government & Politics • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1811.
Location. 41° 22.311′ N, 89° 26.942′ W. Marker is in Princeton, Illinois, in Bureau County. It is on East Peru Street (U.S. 6), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Princeton IL 61356, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Illinois and specifically in the Illinois River Valley. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Owen G. Lovejoy Homestead
this page online
Also see . . . Owen Lovejoy. "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress 1774 - Present" entry (Submitted on July 11, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, June 27, 2011
2. Owen Lovejoy Home Marker
Photographed by Bdusc, Unknown
3. Owen Lovejoy
Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, June 27, 2011
4. Owen Lovejoy Home Marker
The Historic Lovejoy Homestead restoration completed 1972. Owned and operated by City of Princeton, Illnois. Board of Trustees, Clifford S. Leonard, Karl G. Lapinska, Robert I. Zearing, Karl M. Nelson M.D., Ex officio Roland H. Eckdahl, mayor.
Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, June 27, 2011
5. Colton School
1850-The Red Brick School-1972
Known as the Colton School
1849 land grant by Chauncey Colton-three directors-elected-school constructed 1850-first session 1850-walls 12” thick-cedar shingles-heated by pot bellied stove-outside dimensions 22x26- moved 1 ½ miles from John Nelson Farm to it present location in 1971. Restored 1972. Owned by City of Princeton.
Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, June 27, 2011
6. Inside the Colton School
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,622 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on August 13, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. 3. submitted on November 14, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 8, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
