A weekly investigation of the history of Pekin and Tazewell County, including an archive of all blogs going back to 2015.
In the summer of 1834, the small pioneer community of Pekin –...
Jared L. Olar
November 2, 2023
One of Pekin’s more recent downtown businesses is a café and gift...
Jared L. Olar
October 26, 2023
The 1974 Pekin Sesquicentennial volume devotes four paragraphs to the story of...
Jared L. Olar
October 19, 2023
Next Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, the Friends of the Pekin Public Library...
Jared L. Olar
October 12, 2023
In days gone by, well before the Surgeon General’s warnings about the...
Jared L. Olar
October 5, 2023
The building at 437 Court St. – known to longtime Pekin residents...
Jared L. Olar
September 28, 2023
Ongoing research into the family of Nance Legins-Costley (1813-1892) has recently uncovered...
Jared L. Olar
September 21, 2023
With last week’s collapse and emergency demolition of the western section of...
Jared L. Olar
September 14, 2023
Back in May of this year, a collection of 1924 and 1925...
Jared L. Olar
September 7, 2023
Though Pekin has already lost much of the buildings lining its Courthouse...
Jared L. Olar
August 31, 2023
Sunday this week was the 174th anniversary of Pekin’s vote to incorporate...
Jared L. Olar
August 24, 2023
Last Saturday morning, Aug. 12, the Tazewell County Courthouse hosted a celebration...
Jared L. Olar
August 17, 2023
From the Archives
Read stories about the people, places, events, landmarks, businesses, and everyday moments that helped shape Pekin’s history. Each article offers a closer look at the community’s past while preserving the local stories and experiences that connect generations.
Explore Your Roots
Discover your Family's History
Read stories about the people, places, events, landmarks, businesses, and everyday moments that helped shape Pekin’s history.
