History

Robert de La Salle, with a fleet of canoes and 33 men, is believed to be one of the first explorers to visit the area. In 1680, his crew constructed a winter refuge in what is now the southeast quarter of section one in the Pekin Township.

Although travelers and Native Americans frequented the area, it was not until the summer of 1824 that Jonathon Tharp built a small log cabin on the high east bank of the Illinois River and encouraged his father, friends, and other family members to follow him. The local Native American residents, the Pottawatomi Indians and their Chief Shawubena, were friendly with these settlers.

In 1849, with a population of 1,500, the city incorporated and received their City Charter. Residents adopted a Mayor/Alderman form of government, which was later abandoned in 1911 for the commission form. Since 1995, a council-manager system governs Pekin and helps set the City’s standards. The City Council consists of a mayor and four council members, who are elected to staggered four-year terms. In addition, a professional city manager is hired by the City Council to manage the daily operations of city government.