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

Tharp cabin painting

The seed from which Pekin grew was the log cabin that pioneer...

Jared L. Olar

November 27, 2024

Among the notables of Pekin’s past is a man whose remarkable career...

Jared L. Olar

November 21, 2024

One of Pekin’s notables from days gone by was a German-born businessman...

Jared L. Olar

October 24, 2024

For about 90 years, St. Joseph Catholic Church has been the sole...

Jared L. Olar

October 17, 2024

Imagine the city of Pekin in 1980: The post-World War II Baby...

Jared L. Olar

October 10, 2024

This week we conclude our series on Pekin’s 1924 Centennial Celebration with...

Jared L. Olar

September 26, 2024