Pekin

Pekin is a city in and is the county seat of          Tazewell County, Illinois. Pekin is a important large suburb of Peoria and is a key part of the Peoria-Pekin MSA area. The city has a population nearing 36,000 residents. with over 30 businesses and industrial firms. the city is located in the west central portion of the state. Pekin is known for its river bluffs and beautiful wooded terrains besides its industrial heritage. Pekin is a fairley small town with a land area of near 14 square miles. Pekin lies on the Illinois River and the John T. McNaughton Bridge connects the city to a small area of land the city has annexed in Peoria County. Pekin is named after Peking, the former name of the capital of China.
People of Pekin:
Scott D, Altman--Astronaut
Susen Dey--Actress
John T. McNaughton--Harvard Law Professor
Ormond Stone--Astronomer, mathematician,educator

In 1680 Robert De La Salle was the first European explorer to visit the area. He built a winter refuge in what is now the southeast area of Pekin. Travelers and Native American Indians over the years had frequented the area but not settled it. In 1824 Jonathon Tharp built a cabin on the east bank of the Illinois River. He talked family and a few friends into moving to the area with him. The pottawatomie Indians lived near by , and Chief Shawubena became friends with Tharp. In 1829 William Hodge laid out the area of Pekin and called it "town site" meaning it was suitable for settlement. Soon after the town was officially named Pekin after Peking in China (China's City of the Sun). Pekin quickly became commercial as within ten years there was a school, post office, a church, ferry service and the Pekin and Terminate Railroad. Steamboat trade was a large part of Pekin secuss.By 1849 Pekin had 1500 residents and formed a city charter government. With this The city expanded and industry took root. Wagon makers, manufacturing and a distillery came to town. In 1911 Peckin chande government to commission form, and again changing in 1995 to a council manager form, which consists of a Mayor, four council members and a city manager to handle daily operations.