A weekly investigation of the history of Pekin and Tazewell County, including an archive of all blogs going back to 2015.
Just last week, the Everett McKinley Dirksen Congressional Center in Pekin celebrated...
Jared L. Olar
August 28, 2025
Continuing our series on the 1924 Pekin Centennial Celebration, this week we...
Jared L. Olar
August 22, 2024
Pekin’s yearlong celebration of its bicentennial really ramps up tomorrow and this...
Jared L. Olar
July 3, 2024
Long a pillar of Pekin’s community life, the Pekin YWCA at 315...
Jared L. Olar
May 21, 2024
Last week we recalled the visit of U.S. President Gerald R. Ford...
Jared L. Olar
July 15, 2021
This week we reach the point in the history of the Pekin...
Jared L. Olar
July 8, 2021
As construction proceeded in 1973 on the new Pekin Public Library and...
Jared L. Olar
June 17, 2021
This is a reprint of a “From the Local History Room” column...
Jared L. Olar
February 14, 2020
By Jared Olar Library assistant An accomplished and talented artist’s framed watercolor...
Jared L. Olar
September 9, 2016
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.
