Our History - Discover Pekin

Find tales of new beginnings, seasons of change and growth, and the evolution of a community that embraced opportunities, overcame challenges, learned from mistakes, and strove to create a better future for generations to come. Our area’s story, like many Midwestern river towns, began long before the first log cabin was built. But at the core of it are stories of people who helped shape our community and nation. Below is a timeline of some of the most notable tales, dating back more than 200 years. Some even include historic sites and markers that you can still visit today. 1680Robert De La Salle, along with a fleet of canoes and 33 men, became one of the first European explorers to visit the area after constructing a winter refuge. The area was also frequently visited by travelers and indigenous people during the early days as they used the river for transportation, water, and fishing. 1824Farmer Jonathan Tharp built a small log cabin in 1824 on the high east bank of the Illinois Rive...