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

As we continue our series on Pekin’s celebration of its Centennial in...

Jared L. Olar

July 18, 2024

Great crowds gathered last week for three days of memorable Pekin Bicentennial...

Jared L. Olar

July 11, 2024

A large crowd of Pekinites took time this morning to recall and...

Jared L. Olar

July 4, 2024

Pekin’s yearlong celebration of its bicentennial really ramps up tomorrow and this...

Jared L. Olar

July 3, 2024

This year’s celebration of Pekin’s Bicentennial coincides with the 60th anniversary of...

Jared L. Olar

June 27, 2024

Tazewell County’s and Pekin’s newest military memorial was dedicated during the county’s...

Jared L. Olar

June 20, 2024

As Pekin continues its Bicentennial events throughout this year, the Pekin Public...

Jared L. Olar

June 15, 2024

By Linda Mace, Library assistant (retired),and Jared L. Olar, Local History Program...

Jared L. Olar

June 13, 2024

In the past century and a half, several bridges have spanned the...

Jared L. Olar

June 6, 2024