In 1910 there began a gigantic industrial dream to build a "Great Cement City" called East Princeton, with an enormous cement plant and a complete powerhouse.

The dream was to cost over a million dollars. It also cost a number of workers their lives. Four years and hundreds upon thousands of man-hours from skilled craftsmen, stone masons, carpenters and engineers, resulted in a colossal architectural achievement known as The Portland Cement Plant.

Nine short months later the dream fell into silence; the plant was closed down. Some say they ran out of limestone from the on-site mountains; some say the coal they needed for the operation failed to appear because of conflicts with the needs of the First World War, and some say it was never meant to succeed. Prior to the closure of the cement plant, a Mr. George Edwards surfaced in Princeton to great admiration by Princeton's townfolk.

The ladies found him to be a great dancer, the men found him to be a great horseman (and a big spender).

No one ever suspected that Mr. George Edwards was actually Bill Miner, the notorious train robber. The Canadian Pacific Railway, Wells Fargo and other American railways had all been victimized by him! He was the first train and stagecoach robber in North America and Bill Miner's hideout was known to be on the hillside near Princeton Castle. Rumours have it, his unfound treasure still resides there.

For the next eighty years, Time and Mother Nature had their run on Princeton Castle. The cement plant crumbled into ruins and Bill Miner faded to memory and legend. With a gallant project underway to save the rich history and beauty of Princeton Castle, some 80 years later, people are again returning to experience the magic of what has become known as Princeton Castle.

See the historic ruins of the cement plant, which now resemble gigantic walls of a medieval castle. See the fossil stairway, pan for gold, or fish in the running creek. See first-hand the local wildlife of deer, beavers, chipmunks, squirrels and marmots living in their natural environment.

Nature lovers can hike our numerous scenic trails or relax by the lake and soak in the serene beauty of Princeton Castle.