William H. Bates

This is a slightly revised version of one of our “From the Local History...

On the last page of the very first Pekin City Directory, published by Omi...

In recent weeks, this column recalled two local historical events that may be called...

Earlier this month, we reviewed “Early Times in Pekin and Tazewell County,” an essay...

This week we return to Pekin’s pioneer historian William H. Bates, from whom we...

During the summer, this column took the opportunity to feature a number of historical...

Here’s a chance to read again one of our old Local History Room columns,...

Quite a lot has happened in Pekin in the 192 years since Jonathan Tharp...

For the past two weeks, we’ve spotlighted some items from the trove of William...

Last week’s column featured the Civil War discharge paper of William H. Bates of...