Princeton began on April 6, 1846, when 22 lots were sold. It was named for the battle in which General Mercer, the county's namesake, was killed. Samuel Speer owned the site and had a dwelling, a stable, and a blacksmith shop. Spartan F. Rhea laid off the town. Floyd Shannon and William Wesley had the first store. After 1850, the Square gradually became dotted with business buildings, all of wood. Brick buildings did not become common until the coming of the railroad in 1871. Among the early merchants were Speer, Clements, Davis, Grinder, Lindsey, Casteel, Mullinax, and McClelland.