In 1680 a legendary explorer stood on a high bluff and looked out over the Illinois River. His eyes beheld an abundant land rich in natural resources, a place where a family could live and prosper. He was Sieur LaSalle. Almost 150 years later, Jonathan Tharp and his family, recently arrived from Ohio, planted, endured and laid the foundation of a dynamic community. Far-sighted entrepreneurs like Teis Smith, George Herget, and George Ehrlicher helped make Pekin a thriving city of small businesses and major industry. At the turn of the century, with an abundance of grain, an excellent water supply and rail facilities, Pekin was awash with "rivers of beer and oceans of whiskey." The making of Pekin was not only defined in smokestacks and industry, but also in the diversity of its people; blue-shirted workmen like some in the German community that occupied "Bean Town" and the Italians that worked the mines. Today, Pekin residents now take pride in their churches, schools, social services, exciting sports' programs, music and entertainment. They also take pride in their independent, creative leaders: like political great Everett Dirksen; nationally recognized Richard Stolley and John McNaughton; and Pekin's own "top gun" Scott Altman. There is much to be proud of in Pekin. And the original pioneers would be surprised and proud of the city's annual Marigold Festival with its 100,000 visitors. Within the pages of this book, the 175 years of Pekin's rich history comes alive through photographs which serve as windows on the past. These time capsules help us to share in the excitement and vitality of a city on the grow.--Book jacket.