A weekly investigation of the history of Pekin and Tazewell County, including an archive of all blogs going back to 2015.
This is a revised and updated version of one of our “From...
Jared L. Olar
August 6, 2026
As the United States of America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday...
Jared L. Olar
July 2, 2026
As we have mentioned here more than once, William H. Bates (1840-1930)...
Jared L. Olar
May 7, 2026
With the United States of America preparing to celebrate its 250th birthday...
Jared L. Olar
January 22, 2026
Among the special events of Pekin’s Bicentennial last year was the first-ever German...
Jared L. Olar
January 16, 2025
With the end of Pekin’s Bicentennial year fast approaching, this is an...
Jared L. Olar
December 19, 2024
Only 11 months after the founding of Pekin, the survival of the...
Jared L. Olar
December 12, 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
As we recalled last week, the same year that Pekin voted to...
Jared L. Olar
April 11, 2024
Our Bicentennial series on the history of Pekin continues this week with...
Jared L. Olar
March 28, 2024
In previous installments of our ongoing Pekin Bicentennial series, we have recalled...
Jared L. Olar
February 28, 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.
