A weekly investigation of the history of Pekin and Tazewell County, including an archive of all blogs going back to 2015.
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the creation of the United...
Jared L. Olar
April 30, 2026
After our recalling the story of the creation of Tazewell County last...
Jared L. Olar
March 19, 2026
As we recalled last week, the same year that Pekin voted to...
Jared L. Olar
April 11, 2024
The first 19 years of Pekin’s history cover the period when our...
Jared L. Olar
March 14, 2024
President Abraham Lincoln’s long road to the White House began in his...
Jared L. Olar
March 9, 2023
Last autumn a newly-published diary detailing an Easterner’s 1835 travels in the...
Jared L. Olar
March 4, 2022
This is a reprint of a “From the Local History Room” column...
Jared L. Olar
February 8, 2019
This is a slightly revised version of one of our “From the...
Jared L. Olar
March 9, 2018
This column usually features resources from the Pekin Public Library’s Local History...
Jared L. Olar
February 20, 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.
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.
