In earlier years Princeton Heights was drained by small creeks, one being Glaise Creek, which flowed into the River des Peres near the present location of Loughborough Avenue, south into the River des Peres ditch.

Elsewhere the topography is quite rolling in character, with a high ridge crossing through the eastern portion of Kingshighway.

In 1914, Gravois Road became the first concrete highway in Missouri, when six miles were laid from the downtown area to Grant's Farm.

By the 1920s, most of the farmland was gone as housing developments and subdivisions emerged during the early urban sprawl of St. Louis.

Princeton Heights is a mixture of residential and commercial buildings with minimal industrial activity.