Karl E. Kaebel Realtor - Doing Business Since 1968
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Karl E. Kaebel Realtor - Doing Business Since 1968
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Click
here for a video on Pekin
Located along the rolling banks of the Illinois River, Pekin offers easy access to fishing, canoeing, boating at out new riverfront park, birding and observing bald eagles. As of the census of 2000, Pekin's current population is approximately 33,857 including 13,380 households, and 8,804 families. The median income for a household in the city was $37,972, and the median income for a family was $46,346. Males had a median income of $35,906 versus $21,705 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,616.
The annual mean temperature is 50.3° F; winter 25.4° and summer 73°. Pekin is only a few minutes away from Interstates 474 and I55. State routes 9, 29, 98 and U.S. 24 connect us to Peoria and other nearby communities. Ideally situated, we have ready access to all forms of transportation including rail, air and water. Our local airport offers charter flights and maintenance facilities for privately owned aircraft while The Greater Peoria Airport now offers jet service to major airports such as Los Angeles and New York. Passenger and freight service is provided. Barge service along the Illinois River serves the business community along with five major railroads. The Pekin Municipal Bus Service offers intercity transportation as well as a unique collaboration with the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District to bring Central Illinois bus service between Peoria and Pekin!
The City of Pekin is administered by a Council-Manager form of government, with a seven-person city council. The council consists of a mayor, elected at large to a four-year term, and six council members elected at large to four-year terms. An appointed professional city manager oversees the day to day operations of city government. Government is headquartered in City Hall located in the heart of downtown Pekin.
Two major newspapers serve the community. The Pekin Daily Times is delivered Monday through Saturday and the Peoria Journal Star is delivered seven days a week.
Pekin Public School District #108 is a visionary, innovative elementary district committed to preparing responsible, productive, life-long learners by fostering active partnerships among schools, students, families and community. A K-8 district, student enrollment is approximately 4,000 and the teaching staff is over 300. There are 10 schools, 6 primary (K-3), 2 intermediate (4-6) and 2 junior high (7-8). The district was recently selected as the "Elementary Technology School District of the Year" by the National School Board Association.
Pekin Community High School District 303 students choose from about 125 different academic courses, plus more than 45 career oriented courses. A Tech Ed center offers students wanting to pursue a career path a variety of trades and professions equipping them to enter the job market upon graduation.
All Pekin schools are noted for quality teaching, innovative programs, and excellent facilities that also provide abundant extracurricular opportunities. Beginning as early as the elementary level, young students participate in award winning band and orchestra groups and benefit from various programs, like the latchkey and Even Start Family Literacy program. Pekin Memorial Stadium hosts a large number of athletic and civic events throughout the year. In addition to the many sporting programs the Notables Swing Choir has earned the national championship title, while speech and debate teams hold national titles. For those who love theater, the drama department frequently produces plays and other performances.
Top quality higher education is within commuting distance for Pekin students, Nearby Peoria is home of Bradley University, the University of IL College of Medicine, Midstate College, and two nursing colleges. In nearby East Peoria is Illinois Central College (ICC), is a community college with two campuses -- East Peoria and Peoria. Five out of 10 graduating seniors in the area who wish to continue their education elect to attend ICC. However the average age of ICC students is 32.
Anyone living in Pekin or owning property within city limits is eligible for a free library card and may apply for one at the circulation desk of the Pekin Public Library. The library offers Art prints on loan, best seller rentals, books reserve, a children's department, InfoTrac, SIRS Researcher, Phone Disc, American Business Disc, interlibrary loan, microfilm, films and CDs, periodicals and newspapers, phonebooks, computers for internet access and word-processing, typewriters and copy machines, video and audio cassettes and voter registration.
The Dirksen
Congressional Center is named for Everett McKinley Dirksen (1896-1969). Dirksen served in the U.S. House from 1933-1948, the U.S. Senate from
1951-69, and as Minority Leader of the Senate from 1959 until 1969. The
center is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization in Pekin, Illinois,
that seeks to improve civic engagement by promoting a better understanding
of Congress and its leaders through archival, research, and educational
programs.
Click
here for a video on Pekin's schools
The Pekin area is blessed with over 50 churches practicing many different faiths and beautiful yet diverse architecture. Pekin Area Ministerial Alliance gathers the local religious leaders together to strengthen the ties in the religious community.
A community-wide ecumenical service is held on Thanksgiving and Good Friday, with the host church inviting all to worship together as one to renew their faith. The Pekin area also boasts several faith-based schools covering all grade levels from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
Click here for a list of places of worship
PHOTO COURTESTY OF JOAN NORWOOD |
An active community, there's always something on the calendar. Pekin is home to one of the largest park districts throughout the State of Illinois. Consisting of over 2,600 acres of land, there is something for everyone! The park district can easily be called one of Pekin's best features. The district consists of 13 parks, an ice skating arena, an indoor tennis, racquetball and health facility, and many other features. The centerpiece of Pekin is the beautiful park lagoon at Mineral Springs Park. This provides joggers with a scenic view, fishermen with a good catch and water lovers with bicycle boats built for two! Other features include the World's Greatest Sundial located within the sunken gardens at the Mineral Springs Park. DragonLand Water Park, our water park, is a great place to cool off during the summer. Perhaps you'd like to visit John T. McNaughton Park for fishing, horseback riding or hiking. |
Golfers enjoy a pleasant afternoon on one of the four courses found within the city. There are two 18-hole public courses, Parkview and Lick Creek, a five star championship golf course. Golf Digest has rated Lick Creek as one of the top 75 municipal golf courses in the country! Sunset Hills Golf Club is now open to the public. Country Club Estates offers a private 18-hole course. These clubs offer many recreational activities including tennis, swimming and gracious dining.
Winter Wonderland began in 1987 with a group of persons with wonderful ideas for promoting the Christmas Spirit within our community. All events are free to the public and funding comes from the generous corporate and individual sponsorships, donations and sales of Pekin Winter Wonderland products. Activities include a Snowbird Golf Tournament and a Gingerbread Workshop.
Since Pekin is located on the banks of the Illinois River, the outdoor enthusiast will find plenty to do. Visitors and residents alike have an opportunity to fish, boat, observe bald eagles, or view an egret rookery. Many people just relax and enjoy the view from the riverfront pier, watching the tugboats that work the river. Whether you enjoy dining out, music, theater, sports or outdoor activities, Pekin has something to surprise you!
Organizations like the YWCA, Union Mission, Boys and Girls Club, Pekin Youth Hockey League, Inc. and many others make valuable contributions to the city as well.
Click
here for a video on Pekin's parks
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The Marigold Festival began in 1972 as a way to honor one of Pekin's favorite native sons, Senator Everett Dirksen. While in Congress, Senator Dirksen tried to make the marigold the national flower. In support of Dirksen, the community began growing marigolds. While Dirksen was unsuccessful in his efforts to make the marigold the national flower, his hometown of Pekin soon became known as the Marigold Capital of the World. Since then, the Festival has grown from a small event to a community-wide festival that attracts thousands of people. A group of dedicated volunteers coordinate the events for the annual Festival, held the weekend after Labor Day. This group sees that there is something for everyone. The most unique feature is that all financial proceeds of the events are used for charitable contributions; with a small percentage retained to subsidize administrative costs. Many service organizations sponsor a concession or an event and help make the festival a delightful way to raise money for "Meals on Wheels" or the Dream Factory, an organization that grants last wishes to terminally ill children. |
Pre-festival activities include a medallion hunt, queen pageant, Marigold princess contest, garden contest and Cub Scout baseball tournament. The Parade kicks off at 10:00 AM on Saturday and runs down Broadway, then down Court Street, past the reviewing stand in front of the Courthouse, and then south on Capitol. The parade features high school & middle school bands, Miss Marigold and her court, antique and classic cars & trucks, floats created by local businesses and civic organizations, politicians, radio & television personalities, and much more.
At the Marigold Festival, you will find enthusiastic people strolling through a flower filled park enjoying an art show, musicians and paddle boat riders on a sunny lagoon. You'll hear laughter as young people visit the carnival. Satisfy your hunger with a mouth watering butterfly pork chop sandwich. Perhaps mud volleyball, three-on-three basketball tournament, or go-cart races will spark your interest! The Marigold Golf Tournament is held at Lick Creek Golf Course.
The annual Marigold Festival has made the weekend after Labor Day the brightest weekend in September.
Let no one say that we're all work and no play! Pekin is an all-season sports destination. The Dragon's Dome Sports Complex has unlimited possibilities for year-round events and tournaments. Organized sports and other extra-curricular activities are an important part of every childhood. Dance, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, football...You'll find them all in Pekin. Organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, Pekin Youth Hockey League, Inc., Union Mission, Pekin Little League and Pony League Associations, and JFL offer these any many more to our residents.
The Pekin High School Dragons offer a variety of varsity sports. They have hosted The Holiday Basketball Tournament for many years.
The Intercollegiate Athletic Program at Bradley University provides opportunities for its student-athletes and other members of the University community through programs which are consistent with the purposes and policy of NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics. Bradley offers basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, swimming and golf. On the court, the Braves have gone 161-50 in Carver Arena for a 76 percent success rate. Bradley has won nearly 80 percent of its games against non-conference competition while owning a splendid 9-1 mark in postseason play in this building. There have been two perfect seasons in this arena, with the latest one (1993-94) coming during the building's record-setting mark of 26 set between February 6, 1993, and January 19, 1995. That streak is one of two winning streaks of 25 or more that the Braves have enjoyed in Carver Arena.
Illinois Central College is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association for men and women. Students who meet the eligibility requirements established by the College and by the NJCAA are eligible to participate in college athletics. Competition for men includes golf, baseball, and basketball. Women's sports include volleyball, basketball, and softball. Individual athletes and teams have successfully represented ICC in state, regional and national tournaments. A comprehensive intramural program provides students an opportunity to compete in a sport or recreational activity suited to their varied interests and abilities.
Peoria is home to three professional sports teams. Depending upon the season, you can catch a Rivermen hockey game or watch a Peoria Chiefs baseball game. The Chiefs are a Class A Midwest League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Rivermen are a AA affiliate of the St. Louis Blues. Peoria is also home to an Indoor Football League; The Peoria Roughriders call Carver Arena at the Peoria Civic Center home.
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With a commitment to provide personalized, high-quality healthcare, Pekin Hospital is a
modern, 131 bed acute care facility. Their level II Trauma Center is staffed
by Emergency Medicine Specialists 24-hours a day. Special features include a
family-centered Obstetrics Unit, state-of-the-art Laboratory and Radiology
Departments and modern Intensive and Coronary Care Units. Home health care,
hospice and durable medical goods are also available. Special programs
include LIFEWAY Adolescent Chemical Dependency Treatment Unit. Community
health and support educational programs contribute greatly to the residence
of Pekin. Pekin Hospital employs approximately 750 people. |
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For other specialized services and general practice care, Pekin offers area residents easy access to a wide choice of physicians. Pekin has 23 local Primary Care Physicians, 53 specialists, 19 dentists, 2 orthodontists and 1 oral surgeon.
Pekin is a part of a large and growing industrial sector that includes metropolitan Peoria, and about six other communities. The largest area employer, by far, is world famous Caterpillar Inc. with about 8000 employees in facilities throughout the metropolitan area. Other large employers include Pekin Hospital (750), Pekin Insurance (650), Pekin High School District 303 (150), Grade School District 108 (275), and The City of Pekin. Many business and industrial firms call Pekin home. Most of these companies employ less than 100 workers, assuring economic stability for the community.
Pekin Energy Company employs about 230 workers and produces ethanol for use in automobile fuel. The products originating in the Pekin area are wide ranging. The include various concrete products, industrial gases, agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, animal food, seasonings, bronze brushings, hunting accessories, paperboard, aluminum castings and field seed and hybrid corn.
As Court Street winds its way east from downtown, you will find an array of supermarkets, fast food and family dining restaurants, motels, service stations, small convenience stores and major discount stores. Downtown is a potpourri of retail shops, restaurants, antique shops, services and professional offices.
Pekin has everything it takes to satisfy the most die-hard shoppers. Finding what you need is fun and exciting with a wide variety of easily accessible shops and retail stores. Historic downtown has been recently renovated and includes quiet streets and unique shopping. Antique shops, specialty stores, gift shops and more!
Auto Row located at the northern edge of the city on Rt. 29 offers about every make of domestic and foreign cars.
Pekin is a good place to raise a family. Most residential areas are close to schools and parks. Many surround beautiful lakes. You'll find the perfect mix of old and new with older established neighborhoods that boast stately mansions and beautiful new homes of various architecture that can be found throughout the city...
The homes of Pekin reflect its tradition of steady growth and progress. Various designs representing individual homeowner tastes are proudly displayed. Wonderful homes nestled within quiet, friendly neighborhoods of tree-lined streets offer the best in affordable suburban living. Homebuyers can choose from newer single-family residences, elegant condominiums and townhouses, and stately turn-of-the-century dwellings with a wide range of prices.
Many residents who work in Peoria and elsewhere in the area find that they can take advantage of Pekin's small town ambiance while rceiving a great deal more for their real estate dollar.
The neighborhoods surrounding Washington Street, near downtown, are architectural delights. Turn of the century manors stand astride both sides of the street. Styles range from stately Victorians and large American Foursquares to Greek, Gothic and Colonial Revival.
Popular golf communities with homes lining their fairways include Lick Creek Golf Course, Pekin Country Club, Parkview Golf Course, and Sunset Country Club. Elegant townhomes and apartment complexes also enjoy the same lake, park and fairway settings.
Bay Pointe Estates, Gingoteague Estates, Marigold
Estates, Lutticken’s Cove, North Brunswick Estates, Hickory Hills, and
Whitehurst Cliffs where executive-style homes predominate are some of the
other new housing developments.
Families with relaxed lifestyles enjoy Pekin Village, a retirement community with studios and apartments for independent living in Pekin Estates. Other centers are available offering retirement living, and nursing homes for short and long-term care.
Click
here for a video on Pekin's real estate
For more information about Pekin, visit Pekin Community Network, Pekin Visitors Bureau (Calendar of Events), Pekin Online or the City of Pekin websites.
