A weekly investigation of the history of Pekin and Tazewell County, including an archive of all blogs going back to 2015.
The seed from which Pekin grew was the log cabin that pioneer...
Jared L. Olar
November 27, 2024
The city of Pekin currently has four Illinois State Historical Society markers...
Jared L. Olar
May 1, 2024
For this third in our series of Pekin Bicentennial Black History Month...
Jared L. Olar
February 22, 2024
Before the formal platting and surveying of the little pioneer settlement that...
Jared L. Olar
January 11, 2024
During Pekin’s Juneteenth celebration last month, a crowd gathered downtown to witness...
Jared L. Olar
July 13, 2023
This week we feature another of the six 19th-century downtown Pekin businesses...
Jared L. Olar
October 20, 2022
Continuing our review of what historical records can tell us of 19th-century...
Jared L. Olar
May 22, 2020
This month in which we have observed President Abraham Lincoln’s 211th birthday...
Jared L. Olar
February 21, 2020
This is a reprint of a “From the Local History Room” column...
Jared L. Olar
March 8, 2019
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.
