Author

Local History Program Coordinator at the Pekin Public Library. I oversee the library’s local history room collection, write a weekly local history column/weblog for the library, and present local history programs at the library and in the community.

Author's Articles

In the last few weeks we have recalled how Tazewell County was...

Jared L. Olar

April 2, 2026

Last week’s placement of a new, permanent sign at Freedom & Remembrance...

Jared L. Olar

March 26, 2026

After our recalling the story of the creation of Tazewell County last...

Jared L. Olar

March 19, 2026

With our country now celebrating its Semiquincentennial (250 years), this is an...

Jared L. Olar

March 12, 2026

It was less than a decade from the creation of the Illinois...

Jared L. Olar

March 5, 2026

Here at “From the History Room,” we have often cited and discussed...

Jared L. Olar

February 26, 2026

During this year of the U.S. Semiquincentennial, it is an opportune time...

Jared L. Olar

February 19, 2026

Continuing our “America 250”-themed recollections of the early history of Tazewell County...

Jared L. Olar

February 12, 2026

With the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln coming up this...

Jared L. Olar

February 3, 2026

Looking back over America’s 250-year history with a more local focus, last...

Jared L. Olar

January 29, 2026

With the United States of America preparing to celebrate its 250th birthday...

Jared L. Olar

January 22, 2026

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