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James Field What will
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NEW PICTURES OF THE FIELD
The field was purchased by the
Pekin School Board in 1916 from the Cummings family. The board
had already purchased the land for the new High School across
Broadway from them. That school, Pekin High opened in 1916. One
can assume the School Board realized it needed a field for the
High School and struck the deal. It cost Pekin Schools $7,000.00
for the block.
Of interest is a clause in the original contract and deed that states "As provided
in said contract, the said premises above conveyed shall be used
forever
as a playground and athletic field for the public
schools of the Pekin School District or its Successors and all other public
schools maintained within the corporate limits of the City of Pekin, County of
Tazewell and State of Illinois, and no building shall be constructed upon said
real estate other than those pertaining to the use of said grounds as an
athletic field and playground."
Illinois Legislators struck down the
FOREVER clause. This gave School District 108 the ability to sell
the field. At this point the Schools were not using it, even if
children were. A group of citizens stepped forward to keep the field public and enhance it for the Children of
Pekin. Thus " Save James Field " was born.
If you would like more information or to be involved with the field
just contact us:savejamesfield.info