Editing Princeton, Kentucky (section)

===Big Springs===
[[File:Big Springs.jpg|thumb|left|Big Springs]]
This large, natural spring flows from a cave located in the heart of downtown Princeton. The town's founder chose to build his home above the spring and established a sawmill close by. Ancient trails used by animals and early Indians, and later by stagecoaches and pioneers, all met at the spring. They led to the major rivers of the area, the [[Cumberland River|Cumberland]] and the [[Ohio River|Ohio]].

During the [[Cherokee removal]] of 1838–39, the Native Americans were to be moved west on steamboats. However, a severe drought in the summer of 1838 made river travel all but impossible. With thousands of people, plus a large number of horses, wagons, and other livestock, water was of the utmost importance for survival. Eleven of the 13 Ross detachments came through Princeton on their way to the Ohio River and stopped at Big Spring.

[https://web.archive.org/web/20120301023636/http://www.nationaltota.org/chapters/sites.asp?id=5 Big Spring Park], a certified site, is owned by the City of Princeton and is accessible to visitors.