A weekly investigation of the history of Pekin and Tazewell County, including an archive of all blogs going back to 2015.
Earlier this year, in preparing the Pekin Public Library’s U.S. Semiquincentennial “Portrait...
Jared L. Olar
May 14, 2026
This week we’ll continue with our review of the names of the...
Jared L. Olar
April 9, 2026
Even after control of the Illinois Country passed from France to Britain...
Jared L. Olar
February 5, 2026
With the United States of America preparing to celebrate its 250th birthday...
Jared L. Olar
January 22, 2026
While Pekin traces its origin to the 1824 arrival of Jonathan Tharp...
Jared L. Olar
November 13, 2024
The first 19 years of Pekin’s history cover the period when our...
Jared L. Olar
March 14, 2024
As we continue our Bicentennial series on Pekin’s history, this week we...
Jared L. Olar
March 7, 2024
For this third in our series of Pekin Bicentennial Black History Month...
Jared L. Olar
February 22, 2024
One of the most prominent of Pekin’s community leaders in the earliest...
Jared L. Olar
July 28, 2022
This is a reprint of a “From the Local History Room” column...
Jared L. Olar
February 17, 2022
We have previously recalled the life of Pottawatomi leader Shabbona (c.1775-1859), who...
Jared L. Olar
September 30, 2021
This is a revised version of a “From the Local History Room”...
Jared L. Olar
August 17, 2018
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.
From the Archives
Discover your Family's History
Read stories about the people, places, events, landmarks, businesses, and everyday moments that helped shape Pekin’s history.
