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

Tazewell County’s westernmost township, Spring Lake Township, is the largest township in...

Jared L. Olar

July 12, 2019

Among Tazewell County’s older unincorporated communities is the tiny and quiet farming...

Jared L. Olar

July 5, 2019

“To rescue a name worthy to be remembered and honoured To recall...

Jared L. Olar

June 28, 2019

One of the oldest unincorporated communities in Tazewell County is the village...

Jared L. Olar

June 21, 2019

Four years ago, “From the History Room” shone the spotlight on William...

Jared L. Olar

June 15, 2019

One of Tazewell County’s older unincorporated communities has a history that reaches...

Jared L. Olar

June 7, 2019

This is a reprint (with corrections and updates) of a “From the...

Jared L. Olar

June 3, 2019

Picking up once more on our series of profiles of Tazewell County’s...

Jared L. Olar

May 31, 2019

The metropolitan areas and larger cities of the U.S. naturally serve as...

Jared L. Olar

May 24, 2019

It has now been more than eight years since the Pekin Public...

Jared L. Olar

May 17, 2019