What is James 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.