A weekly investigation of the history of Pekin and Tazewell County, including an archive of all blogs going back to 2015.
The story of 408 Court St. begins about 1870, when German immigrant...
Jared L. Olar
May 30, 2024
Rivalling if not surpassing the Hamm’s Building for the title of most...
Jared L. Olar
May 24, 2024
In the Pekin Public Library’s Local History room collection is a copy...
Jared L. Olar
May 23, 2024
Long a pillar of Pekin’s community life, the Pekin YWCA at 315...
Jared L. Olar
May 21, 2024
The customers of First Pekin Savings Bank, 532 Court St., can read...
Jared L. Olar
May 18, 2024
Pekinites of an older generation will remember the building at 525-527 Court...
Jared L. Olar
May 15, 2024
Since 2011, the Brawner family has been serving up music and drinks...
Jared L. Olar
May 10, 2024
The era of Prohibition during the 1920s is remembered as a time...
Jared L. Olar
May 9, 2024
The city of Pekin currently has four Illinois State Historical Society markers...
Jared L. Olar
May 1, 2024
Since the spring of 2022, the historic 407 Court St. building has...
Jared L. Olar
May 1, 2024
The historic structure at the southeast corner of Court and Fourth streets...
Jared L. Olar
April 25, 2024
As we continue our Pekin Bicentennial series, this week and the next...
Jared L. Olar
April 25, 2024
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.
