Carle Health Pekin Hospital
In 1913 the Pekin community of approximately 14,000 residents wanted a high quality, modern hospital to serve their health needs. This led to the formation of the non-profit Pekin Memorial corporation.
The hospital’s board, headed by Presidents G. A. Kuhl and J. M. Rahn, commenced fundraising campaigns to raise $25,000 for the construction of the hospital. Built by Ed F. Lampitt & Sons building contractors, the 1918, not for profit healthcare institution was erected on 14th Street between Court Street and Park Avenue. The land was donated by three Ehrlicher brothers and their wives, George Jr. and Mary, Henry and Amelia, and Otto D. and Minnie. The new edifice was formally dedicated Sunday afternoon, June 2, 1918, in ceremonies that were attended by a crowd of about 5,000. Pekin Memorial Hospital’s 20-bed facility officially opened its doors June 4, 1918.
The hospital’s board, headed by Presidents G. A. Kuhl and J. M. Rahn, commenced fundraising campaigns to raise $25,000 for the construction of the hospital. Built by Ed F. Lampitt & Sons building contractors, the 1918, not for profit healthcare institution was erected on 14th Street between Court Street and Park Avenue. The land was donated by three Ehrlicher brothers and their wives, George Jr. and Mary, Henry and Amelia, and Otto D. and Minnie. The new edifice was formally dedicated Sunday afternoon, June 2, 1918, in ceremonies that were attended by a crowd of about 5,000. Pekin Memorial Hospital’s 20-bed facility officially opened its doors June 4, 1918.
The original Pekin Memorial Hospital, built in 1918.
Photographed in 1928 from a path in the sunken Gardens. Eventually this structure was torn down, but the main entrance was salvaged and is now attached to the north side of the 1931 addition, beneath a large clock. Within a few years the need was evident for a larger hospital. In 1931, a $150,000 fundraising drive resulted in additional construction and remodeling which boosted the capacity to 75 beds and additional room for new services to be offered.
May 1944, the Pekin Registered Nurses (P.R.N.) Club was founded by several Pekin Public Hospital School of Nursing alumnae and other nurses. The name PRN was chosen for Pekin Registered Nurses and because the letter in medical terminology means “as necessary” or “as needed”. Their purpose was for mutual help and improvement in professional work, for the promotion of good fellowship and sociability among registered nurses in Pekin and the surrounding area and to aid in the present war emergency and assist in post-war issues.
First Class of Pekin Hospital’s School of Nursing
As Pekin continued to grow, Pekin Memorial Hospital again had to be expanded. In the early 1950s, $750,000 was raised locally and was matched by a federal grant, enabling the construction of a six-story $1.5 million addition on Park Avenue that increased the hospital’s capacity to 150 beds. The expansion was formally dedicated on June 19, 1955.
Pekin Memorial Hospital League was formed in 1958. Their mission was to generate profits through activities which were entirely donated to Pekin Community Hospital. Today they continue to host an Annual Gift Show, operate the Nearly-Nu Shop (opened in 1971) and the Gift Shop located within the hospital.
Then - Pekin Hospital League members planning the 20th Annual Gift Show 1976.
Now - Volunteers, Becky and Linda working at the Pekin Hospital Gift Shop 2024.
In 1965, another drive was undertaken, raising $1M locally and hospital officials borrowed another $1.5M from a firm in Wisconsin, thus providing the necessary funding for the most recent expansion on Court Street. The main entrance was moved once again, leading into the six-story addition. Total capacity is now over 230.
Pekin Memorial Hospital as photographed in 1966 by Ralph James Goodwin. The original hospital building is still there, though wood paneling covers the north wall indicating construction work under way. The old building was torn down subsequently, but its entrance was salvaged and later installed on the north wall of the Park Avenue addition.
A two-story addition to the Court Street building to house an intensive and coronary care unit, obstetrics and pediatrics was constructed in 1976. New office space and conference rooms were also provided. Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase I was added to the wide range of services offered.
By 1979, portions of the 1932 and 1954 buildings needed renovation. During a two-year period, renovations made room for: pharmacy, medical records, library, electrocardiography, respiratory therapy and radiology. Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase II was introduced to patients. The hospital now has over 60 available physicians.
During this time, the original main entrance was saved and built into the north side of the 1931 addition and a large clock was installed above it. Later the hospital received the Thomas Marigold Award for preserving the entryway and incorporating it into its remodeling.
On June 23, 1985, ground was broken on a $10.1M addition that would include Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase III, surgery and radiology as well as a lobby, pharmacy, gift shop, restaurant and Park Court Medical Center. The building program moved the main entrance from Court Street to 13th Street.
Pekin Memorial Hospital Foundation was formed in 1986 for the purpose of receiving charitable gifts to be used for purchasing needed equipment and renovations at the hospital. Audiology services were added, as well as Park Court Pharmacy. Park Court Medical Center, a multispecialty group practice was opened on the southwest corner of the campus. In 1988 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), was added to assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries. Also added were new services including cardiovascular lab, pulmonary stress lab and non-invasive vascular lab.
During this time, the original main entrance was saved and built into the north side of the 1931 addition and a large clock was installed above it. Later the hospital received the Thomas Marigold Award for preserving the entryway and incorporating it into its remodeling.
On June 23, 1985, ground was broken on a $10.1M addition that would include Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase III, surgery and radiology as well as a lobby, pharmacy, gift shop, restaurant and Park Court Medical Center. The building program moved the main entrance from Court Street to 13th Street.
Pekin Memorial Hospital Foundation was formed in 1986 for the purpose of receiving charitable gifts to be used for purchasing needed equipment and renovations at the hospital. Audiology services were added, as well as Park Court Pharmacy. Park Court Medical Center, a multispecialty group practice was opened on the southwest corner of the campus. In 1988 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), was added to assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries. Also added were new services including cardiovascular lab, pulmonary stress lab and non-invasive vascular lab.
In the year 2000, construction began on the $2M 11,500sf addition to the Emergency Department, doubling its size. The new facility included two separate and private triage areas; separate specialty exam room for ENT exams; private exam rooms; three cardiac exam rooms; a corridor link to the hospital’s main lobby; holding area for patients waiting admission; separate ambulatory entrance and a centrally locate nurses station allowing direct line of sight to trauma, cardiac and acute care wound areas. It is located off 13th and Court, which is the former location of Pekin MRI. The MRI opened in March of 2000, at its new location, 13th Street and Park Avenue.
In 2013 the board of trustees of Pekin Hospital approved a $2M plan to renovate the vacant sixth floor of the hospital’s patient tower to include 16 new private patient rooms. With this addition, the hospital will have a total of 81 private patient rooms. Other improvements include the addition of energy efficient windows, increasing computer access and expanding physician work areas. At this time, Pekin Hospital was currently completing construction of new air handling units and modernization of patient elevators to improve energy efficiency and to comply with ADA requirements.
In Jan. 2018, Pekin Hospital (UPH) completed the process of affiliation with Des Moines, Iowa-based UnityPoint Health, joining a system that included Methodist Medical Center and Proctor Hospital in Peoria. A year later a state-of-the-art Pekin physicians center, known as Pekin East, opened at Griffin and Veterans Drive on Pekin’s east end.
From 2018 to date, over $39M were allocated for multiple upgrades in the Pekin Hospital, including renovation of the Emergency Department, front lobby, electronic medical records, new MRI and nuclear scanner. In 2023, a beautification project for Pekin hospital brought in an investment of $1.6M. It included facade repair and painting. In addition, this project included an exterior lighting project that illuminated the north tower. In a separate project, additional dollars were allocated to replace the signage on the building and installed a new digital emergency sign at the entrance of the hospital off Court Street.
April 2023, Central Illinois Methodist, Proctor and Pekin hospitals, Trillium Place, Methodist College and 76 related clinics and facilities integrated into the Carle Health system. This consolidation strengthens and expands our community care by providing a broader continuum of services in medical, behavior health and addiction recovery services adding specialty care and services with experts in our community. This partnership gives greater access to preventive care, level and delivery of care and improves health outcomes for the people in our community.
Carle Health Pekin is accredited by The Joint Commission and is a past recipient of the Lincoln Foundation for Excellence Silver Award. Pekin Hospital was awarded 2023 Business of the year from the Pekin Chamber of Commerce. Once a 20-bed hospital in 1918, to what we are known as today, Carle Health Pekin Hospital has grown with our community. With state-of-the-art equipment, a Women’s Diagnostic Center, Emergency Department, Cardiology, Laboratory, physicians and staff, we continue to support our community with the delivery of excellent healthcare.
