Location Of The Month

Along The Right Of Way

July 2004

M.P. 293.4 - 5th Subdivision - P

Pekin was the first town in Washington County to be reached by the New Albany & Salem Rail Road as it built north from New Albany. Construction trains were passing through Pekin by 1850. The town’s last depot was built about 1915 and served the community until closing in 1970. It was torn down in 1977.

In the early part of the 20th Century, Pekin gained fame for its annual July 4th celebration. For years, the Monon ran special trains to Pekin, bringing in literally thousands who lined the streets of the small town to witness a patriotic parade; walked to the town park to hear speeches and entertainment, enjoyed games and plenty of good food. Today, the Pekin Fourth of July celebration is recognized as the oldest, continuous celebration of its kind in the United States. Some communities have challenged that claim, but none have ever unseated Pekin from that position of honor.

The platform at the Pekin depot is crowded as folks welcome the arrival of the Monon Special delivering passengers for the Fourth Of July festivities.

Pekin was also one of the loading points for carloads of berries shipped by the Borden-Pekin Berry Growers Association. For years the president of the association was H.C. "Happy" Littell who served as the Monon's station agent at Pekin for 32 years, from 1909 to 1941.

-Thanks To Cecil Smith for the background information.-

Pekin depot, early 1900. 4-4-0 104 makes a stop at the Pekin depot. Classic small town scene.

Left: The Monon’s small depot at Pekin was torn down in the late 1970s. This trackside view was taken after it was abandoned and about a year before it was demolished. Photo courtesy of The Depot Museum, Salem, Indiana. Right: Another picture of the depot after it was closed.

Left: Another depot photo, circa 1967. Right:Running southbound, extra #22 arrives in Pekin, September 1966. The four businesses along the route generated 600-900 carloads each year.

Left: 1964, Monon passenger, with F3 #210 in the lead southbound at Pekin. Right: Pekin 2004. May 15, 2004. Looking south along the former Monon mainline on a cold rainy morning.

Left: May 2004 Industry once thrived in Pekin. Right: Looking north along the mainline.

Left: 2004. Looking along the mainline to the south. Elevator and feed company to the left of picture. Right: Tracks from industrial spur still visible. These tracks are south of the mainline in Pekin.

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