A weekly investigation of the history of Pekin and Tazewell County, including an archive of all blogs going back to 2015.
During his lifetime, Charles Leonard Wilson (1863-1928) was notable in both his...
Jared L. Olar
December 18, 2025
The landscape of Pekin, Illinois, is filled with the enduring historical evidence...
Jared L. Olar
June 26, 2025
Among the special events of Pekin’s Bicentennial last year was the first-ever German...
Jared L. Olar
January 16, 2025
The historic structure at the southeast corner of Court and Fourth streets...
Jared L. Olar
April 25, 2024
Since the mid-1990s, the building at 363 Court St. – the northwest...
Jared L. Olar
April 19, 2024
The buildings in Pekin’s historic downtown range in age from about a...
Jared L. Olar
March 6, 2024
The 1974 Pekin Sesquicentennial volume devotes four paragraphs to the story of...
Jared L. Olar
October 19, 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.
