A weekly investigation of the history of Pekin and Tazewell County, including an archive of all blogs going back to 2015.
Roots of religion in Illinois Before the arrival of European explorers and...
Jared L. Olar
August 27, 2026
As we have mentioned here more than once, William H. Bates (1840-1930)...
Jared L. Olar
May 7, 2026
Gideon Hawley (1797-1852) and his family were among the earliest pioneer settlers...
Jared L. Olar
July 9, 2025
The seed from which Pekin grew was the log cabin that pioneer...
Jared L. Olar
November 27, 2024
Before the formal platting and surveying of the little pioneer settlement that...
Jared L. Olar
January 11, 2024
This is a reprint of a “From the Local History Room” column...
Jared L. Olar
April 21, 2022
This is a slightly revised version of one of our “From the...
Jared L. Olar
April 27, 2018
The founding of Pekin was due to the influx of settlers of...
Jared L. Olar
April 13, 2018
This week we return to Pekin’s pioneer historian William H. Bates, from...
Jared L. Olar
August 5, 2017
Last month, in an exploration of some of the lost place names...
Jared L. Olar
December 19, 2015
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.
