Pekina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pekina South Australia
Pekina Location in South Australia
Population	70 (2021 census)
Established	20 May 1875 (town) 16 December 1999 (locality)
Postcode(s)	5431
Time zone	ACST (UTC+9:30)
• Summer (DST)	ACST (UTC+10:30)
Location	270 km (168 mi) N of Adelaide 14 km (9 mi) S of Orroroo
LGA(s)	District Council of Orroroo Carrieton
County	Dalhousie
Parish	Yorke and Mid North
State electorate(s)	Stuart
Federal Division(s)	Grey
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 21.9 °C 71 °F 7.4 °C 45 °F 364.8 mm 14.4 in
Localities around Pekina: Willowie Willowie Morchard Coomooroo Orroroo Willowie Booleroo Centre Pekina Orroroo Black Rock Tarcowie Booleroo Centre Tarcowie Tarcowie
Footnotes	Adjoining localities

Pekina is a small town and area in the Mid North region of South Australia. It is located about 270 kilometers (168 miles) north of Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. The town is part of the District Council of Orroroo Carrieton.

What's in a Name?

The name Pekina is believed to come from an Aboriginal word. It means "creek water." This name was first used for a large sheep farm called Pekina Station.

Early Days and Settlement

European people started settling in the Pekina area in 1846. A man named Price Maurice brought 3,000 sheep to the district. The Pekina Station became a very important sheep farm. It was so successful that it was known as one of the most profitable sheep farms in South Australia. It also became a regular stop for coaches traveling between Blinman and Burra.

Growing the Town

In 1871, the large Pekina Station was divided into smaller farms. This was done to encourage more people to settle there. Many German and especially Irish families moved to the area to become farmers.

However, the early years were tough. In the 1880s, the region faced many challenges. There were long periods of drought (not enough rain), plant diseases like rust, and large numbers of locusts (insects that eat crops). Because of these problems, the town grew slowly. By the early 1900s, only about 75 people lived in Pekina.

The area has a strong Irish Catholic background. Because of this, the district is sometimes called "Vatican Valley."

Population Changes

In 2006, the population of Pekina and the surrounding area was 172 people. By 2021, the population had decreased to 70 people.

Historic Places

One important historic building in Pekina is the former Pekina Animal Pound. This building is so important that it is listed on the South Australian Heritage Register. This means it is protected because of its historical value.