Pekin, Illinois

18 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1905 and the latest in 1996. It stands in Pekin Township. It lies in ZIP code area 61554. It lies near Coopers Island. The Survey maps it on the Pekin quadrangle.

Research this city

Pekin within Tazewell County

On record in Pekin

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 5 records

Carl Herget Mansionlisted 1992
North Eighth Street Plazalisted 2015
Pekin Federal Buildinglisted 1980
St. Louis, Peoria and Northern Railroad Depotlisted 2004
Tazewell County Courthouselisted 1985

Topographic sheets covering this place

10 surveys from 18 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

1905 USGS Peoria quadrangle1:62500, 4 printings
1927 USGS Peoria quadrangle1:62500
1958 USGS Peoria quadrangle1:250000, 4 printings
1960 USGS Pekin quadrangle1:24000, 3 printings
1961 USGS Peoria quadrangle1:250000
1963 USGS Peoria quadrangle1:250000
1985 USGS Peoria quadrangle1:100000
1989 USGS Peoria quadrangle1:100000
1990 USGS Peoria quadrangle1:250000
1996 USGS Pekin quadrangle1:24000

In the county-history sources

28,912 words on this township

History of Tazewell County, Illinois ; Together with Sketches of Its Cities, Villages and Townships, Educational, Religious, Civil, Military, and Political History; Portraits of Prominent Persons and Biographies of Representative Citizens. History of Illinois ... Digest of State Laws, published 1879 names this settlement in its chapter on Pekin Township. These are the passages that mention it, exactly as the scans read.

This city is beautifully situated on the eastern shore of the Illinois river. During its early history it enjoyed the advantages of being a river-town. Since the advent of railroads into the county, it has been bountifully supplied with the " steel rail " and the " iron horse," which has very largely replaced the steam-boat as a means of traffic and travel. The earliest pioneers, the very advance guard of civilization, as they wended their way up the placid Illinois, and plunged into the wilderness, where dwelt the red man and wild beasts of forest and plain, were especially attracted by the beautiful lay of the country upon which Pekin is located. They looked upon it as a most favorable site for a town, and, ere a lot had been laid off or a stake driven, it was christened " Town Site." It was thus known far and wide by those who traversed the river. We have been fortunate enough to secure, from the old journals of the late venerable Jacob Tharp (whose son was the first settler, and who was, himself, the second person to locate here), a very minute and interesting sketch of the settlement of Pekin. These journals are in the possession of Mr. W. F. Coopes, of Cincinnati township, to whom we are indebted for them. We quote in his own language :

Passage source: History of Tazewell County, Illinois ; Together with Sketches of Its Cities, Villages and Townships, Educational, Religious, Civil, Military, and Political History; Portraits of Prominent Persons and Biographies of Representative Citizens. History of Illinois ... Digest of State Laws, published 1879.

Jacob Tharp was a large, robust man, and lived almost long enough to celebrate his centennial birthday. He was born in 1773 and survived till 1872. Much of his life was spent upon the frontier, opening up and developing new country for coming generations. He died at Lancaster, Peoria county, 111., and his remains were brought to his old home and interred at Pekin. A daughter of his, Mrs. Mary D. Taggart, and the mother of W. F. Copes, resides in Cincinnati township. The manuscript, of which the above is an extract, was put in shape by the old gentleman himself, about 1860, and revised about 1872.

The survey of the new town was mode by Wm. H. Hodge, the first County Surveyor, in 1827. He had no surveyor's chain, and, instead, used a string. Now that the town had been laid off it must be christened. Mrs. Cromwell, wife of Major Cromwell, was honored by being called on to perform this important part of founding their new city. Doubtless with a proplietic eye she could sec a brilliant future for their town in the not far distant time, and, therefore, gave to it the name of Pekin, we suppose after the celestial city of that name. We should think the streets were also named by this goodly matron, judging from the feminine names they bear. It is stated that they were named in honor, and perpetuate the names, of the early women of the city, and that the older streets, with few exceptions, bear the given names of the mothers, grandmothers, wives and daughters of the pioneers. For instance, there is Amanda street ; then there are streets that bear such names as these : Ann Eliza, Caroline, Catharine, Charlotte, Cynthiana, Elizabeth, Harriet, Henrietta, Isabella, Jane, Margaret, Matilda, Minerva, Lucinda, Ruth, Susanna, etc.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Pekin Township - it names this place 100 more 100 times.

Fires near this place

1 since 2017

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 1 fire within 5 miles of Pekin in 2017, burning about 3 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause	Fires
Debris and open burning	1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

Date	Cause	Size	Reported by	Name on the report
1 October 2017	Debris and open burning	3.0 acres	Illinois Division of Forestry Resources	114-17

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Tazewell County

Mines and quarries near this place

2 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 2 workings within 5 miles of Pekin: 2 producers. All of them still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where	Site	Commodity	Status	Recorded
	Pekin Sand	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Producer
	Pekin South Sand	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Producer

Every working recorded in Tazewell County

Storms near this place

60 of 133 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Pekin in 133 storm reports between 1994 and 2026: 87 thunderstorm wind, 36 hail, 6 tornado, 3 flash flood. The reports record 45 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

When	Event	Place named	Harm	What the report says
May 2003	Tornado (F3)	South Pekin	32 hurt, $10,000,000	This long track tornado first touched down 3 miles southwest of South Pekin and traveled to the northeast. It destroyed several homes before reaching the eastern sections of South Pekin where it intensified to F3 strength. The tornado destroyed 50 homes, caused minor to major damage on an additional 80 homes before exiting the town. As the tornado approached Morton, it weakened briefly but quickly intensified again as it crossed the intersection of I-74 and I-155. When it crossed the highways, 8 vehicles were damaged and one injury was sustained when a car was overturned by the tornado as it crossed I-74. It destroyed several three story apartment buildings and severely damaged several others in the complex. A couple of businesses in the area were destroyed as well. It then moved through several subdivisions, damaging over 100 homes, some severely. The tornado eventually weakened and lifted 2.5 miles north of Morton. In all, 32 people were injured by the tornado, three seriously, but they have since recovered.
November 2013	Tornado (EF2)	Pekin	10 hurt, $45,000,000	This tornado crossed the Illinois River from Peoria County at 10:53 AM CST. It tracked through the northwest side of Pekin before lifting 2 miles northeast of Pekin at 10:54 AM CST. Approximately 179 houses and 6 businesses suffered major damage, while 182 houses experienced minor roof damage. In addition, 3 apartment buildings lost their roofs, a power substation had minor damage, and hundreds of cars were damaged. Ten people were injured.
May 1995	Tornado (F1)	South Pekin	2 hurt, $1,000,000	A tornado touched down 3 SW of South Pekin and moved to the northeast. Several barns were destroyed just south of South Pekin and one house had minor damage. The tornado sent a 2" x 4" through the grill of a pickup truck. As it moved through the northern part of South Pekin, it destroyed a railroad workers' barracks, slightly injuring one worker, and blew over four empty railroad cars. Numerous large trees were blown over. Several cars were smashed by fallen trees (three people were trapped in one car-none were injured). Also, four or five garages were destroyed and part of the roof was missing from a Lutheran church. Damage was estimated around $1 million.
April 1997	Tornado (F0)	Pekin	1 hurt, $115,000	A tornado briefly touched down 7 miles southwest of Pekin in the Country View Estates Subdivision severely damaging a home under construction causing around $90,000 in damage. Also, the tornado damaged a garage across the street and four other homes in the area sustained minor roof damage with shingles missing. A 20 inch diameter tree was blown down blocking Bass Road. There was one minor injury reported when a man had a piece of sheetrock hit him in the head as he headed for cover, sustaining a minor injury, though he did not seek medical assistance. The total dollar amount of damage is estimated around $115,000.
June 2015	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$80,000	Numerous trees and tree branches were blown down.
June 2021	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$55,000	Numerous trees and tree branches were blown down, including a large tree that fell onto a car.
June 2021	Thunderstorm Wind	South Pekin	$30,000	Numerous trees were blown down.
July 2017	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$30,000	Several trees were blown over.
June 2015	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$30,000	A large tree was blown onto a garage and the roof of a house in Pekin.
June 2015	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$30,000	Several trees were snapped and uprooted in Pekin.
May 2014	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$30,000	A few trees and power lines were blown down in Pekin.
July 2014	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$30,000	Two trees were uprooted and several large tree limbs were blown down around Pekin. Numerous power lines were knocked down as well.
August 2009	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$25,000	Numerous tree limbs were blown down in Pekin.
July 2003	Tornado (F0)	Pekin	$25,000	A tornado touched down near the Powerton power plant throwing chunks of coal into the air. It traveled northeast towards a lumber yard. It destroyed the roofs on a couple of sheds, before lifting and dissipating. No injuries were reported.
June 2021	Thunderstorm Wind	South Pekin	$20,000	Tree branches were blown down and shingles were blown off a roof.
July 2020	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$20,000	A large tree was blown onto a house on the east side of Pekin.
June 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$20,000	A tree was blown down onto a house on Prince Street in Pekin.
August 2014	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$18,000	Several tree branches were blown down in Pekin.
June 2011	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$15,000	Several trees were blown down.
August 2007	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$15,000	Numerous trees were blown down, especially in the city of Pekin.
March 2019	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$12,000	A large tree and several power lines were blown down in Pekin.
July 2019	Thunderstorm Wind	South Pekin	$12,000	A tree was blown onto 2 cars in South Pekin.
July 2017	Thunderstorm Wind	South Pekin	$12,000	A 2-foot diameter tree was blown onto a car.
October 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$12,000	Several 18-inch branches were blown down.
June 2009	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$12,000	A few trees were blown down and scattered power outages were noted in Pekin.
April 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	South Pekin	$10,000	Several large tree limbs were blown down in South Pekin.
June 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$10,000	Numerous large tree limbs were blown down.
November 2015	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$8,000	A large tree branch was blown down onto a house causing minor roof damage.
July 2014	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$5,000	Windows were blown out of the Menards in Pekin.
June 1994	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$5,000	no account filed
July 2014	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$4,000	A large tree was blown onto power lines in Schaeferville.
November 2015	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$3,000	Several large tree branches were blown down and blocked Fenley Avenue in Pekin.
October 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$3,000	A large tree was blown down on Walnut Street on the south side of Pekin.
September 2005	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	$1,500	Large tree limb fell on a house.
July 1994	Thunderstorm Wind	South Pekin	$50	Power lines were blown down. Peoria County Oak Hill,20,1716CST,,,0,0,1,0,Thunderstorm Winds Trees were blown down.
March 2026	Thunderstorm Wind	South Pekin	-	A street light pole was blown down.
March 2026	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	Part of a large tree was blown onto a garage.
March 2025	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	A tree was blown down.
March 2025	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	Roofing material was blown off of a large building.
August 2025	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	A large tree branch was broken off near the intersection of South 8th Street and Prince Street.
December 2025	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	Power lines were blown down.
May 2024	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	A large tree was blown down onto a car.
May 2024	Hail	Pekin	-	The hail lasted for seven minutes.
July 2024	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	Estimated wind gusts of 60 to 65 mph north of Pekin.
June 2024	Thunderstorm Wind	South Pekin	-	Several tree limbs were blown down across a road.
June 2024	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	Numerous large tree branches were blown down and a power pole was snapped.
April 2023	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	Large tree blown down.
April 2023	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	Tree blown down onto house.
May 2023	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	A tree was blown onto powerlines.
May 2023	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	Several trees were blown down in Pekin...including one that fell onto a house.
May 2023	Thunderstorm Wind	North Pekin	-	A tree was blown down on North Main Street.
September 2023	Thunderstorm Wind	South Pekin	-	A tree was blown down near the intersection of Townline Road and Towerline Road.
August 2023	Flood	Pekin	-	Veerman Street was flooded between Willow Street and Sheridan Road.
August 2023	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	A tree was uprooted at the intersection of 14th and Willow in Pekin.
June 2023	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	A large tree and several tree branches were blown down in Pekin Park.
August 2021	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	Numerous tree limbs and power lines were blown down around Pekin.
October 2021	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	Several tree limbs were blown down.
July 2020	Thunderstorm Wind	Pekin	-	A 20-inch diameter tree was blown onto a road.
July 2020	Flash Flood	Pekin	-	Water was flowing across the road near the intersection of Summer Street and Winter Street in Pekin.
July 2020	Tornado (EFU)	South Pekin	-	A tornado touched down in a field 1 mile north of South Pekin at 1:45 PM CDT. The tornado tracked northward and quickly dissipated at 1:46 PM CDT. No damage was reported.

Every storm recorded in Tazewell County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Place	Distance	Sheets
Schaeferville	1.4 miles	18
Crescent	1.9 miles	18
Pekin Heights	2.4 miles	18
Powerton	2.9 miles	18
North Pekin	3.4 miles	18
Midway	3.5 miles	18
Grove	3.7 miles	18
Hawley (historical)	3.7 miles	18

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 415512. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.