Pekin, Illinois is a beautiful city located in the counties of Tazewell and Peoria that currently has an estimated population of just over 32,000 people. This makes it the largest suburb of the city of Peoria. Pekin is known for its beautiful natural setting near the Illinois River and friendly residents. This helps make it feel like a small town without having to forgo all of the attractions and other benefits of a populous city.
The first settlers arrived in the area in 1824. Pekin officially became a recognized town in the state of Illinois five years later. The founders came up with the name to honor the Chinese city of Peking. The city quickly started to grow after its founding. The population went from 1,600 people in 1850 to nearly 10,000 at the turn of the century 50 years later. Residents continued to flock to Pekin until the population eventually leveled off in the 1980s. The city has stayed relatively the same size over the last 40 years.
This is the site of Abraham Lincoln’s first important political move. Lincoln got elected to the US Congress in 1846 by helping and working with all of the Whig party politicians in the area. The future president knew that they would all have a better chance of getting elected if they created a united front. This cooperation was unprecedented at the time, so it really helped propel Lincoln’s political career.
One of the great things about living in this wonderful city is the fact that it is filled with interesting landmarks and attractions. You will never have to go very far from your house to find something fun and interesting to do with your friends or family. Two of the most popular local attractions are Avanti’s Dome and the Tazewell County Museum.
Avanti’s Dome is a giant sports complex and event center. This unique building regularly hosts youth sporting events, wedding receptions, concerts, car shows and other fun events. It is not often that you will find an interesting museum in a relatively small city, but that is exactly what makes the Tazewell County Museum so special. The museum is dedicated to preserving and honoring the history of the area. Some of the most interesting items on display are the prehistoric artifacts and Civil War memorabilia.
It is simply hard to top the local charm of Pekin. It may not be close to one of the largest cities in Illinois, but it certainly one of the most special. Life-long residents and visitors are treated exactly the same, which helps everyone feel like home when they are in the wonderful city.