Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society

“…increasing and enriching public knowledge of our heritage”

  • Join Us/Renew
  • Events
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • What’s New
  • Our Library
    • Overview
    • Directions
    • Events Schedule
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Library Collections
      • Overview
      • Newspapers on Microfilm
      • Ortssippenbücher (OSB) Collection
    • Photograph Collections
      • Mystery Photos
      • Notable Men Photos
      • World War I Soldier Photos
    • Publications
    • FamilySearch Affiliate
  • Research
    • Family Histories
      • App Family Stories
      • Dully Family History
    • Maps
      • Township Boundaries
      • 1833 Tazewell County Map
      • 1836 Tazewell County Map
      • 1857 Tazewell County Map
      • 1873 Tazewell County Map
      • 1873 Tazewell County Map 2
      • 1896 Tazewell County
      • 1920 Tazewell County
        from Prairie Farmer Magazine
      • 1929 Tazewell County
        from Illinois Highway Map
    • Records & Indexes
      • Deaths 1877-1950
      • Deeds 1830-1929
      • Marriage Applications 2020 On
      • Marriage Divorces Granted 2021 On
      • Marriages 1869-1950
      • Prairie Pioneer Certificates
      • Surname Registry
      • The Monthly Newsletter Surname Index 1978-2020
    • Research Guides
      • Amish Mennonites in Tazewell County
      • Tazewell County Cemeteries
      • Tazewell County Education Records
      • Vital Records: Birth, Marriage & Death
      • Links to Other Resources
    • Research Services
  • Historical Tidbits
  • About
    • History of TCGHS
    • Mission & Purpose
    • Our Officers & Board
    • Our Facebook Page
    • Contact Info
    • Contact Us
    • Website Map
  • Support TCGHS
    • Become a Member
    • Donate Funds
    • Donate Items
    • Affiliate Shopping
    • Surname Tree
    • Business Plaque
  • Members Only
    • Content of Members Only Area
    • Login/Logout
    • Register for Members Only
    • Edit Members Only Profile
    • Members Only Assistance
    • Society Documents
      • Bylaws
      • Deadline Dates
      • General Policies
      • Job Descriptions
Home > Historical Tidbits > Business

Here’s some short historical articles about various Tazewell County businesses.

 

If you have a Tazewell County related article, photo, letter, or document you’d like to share, here’s how to make a submission.

 

If you have questions or comments, please contact us.

1844 – Old Horshor Mill

1844 photo of Old Horshor Mill

In 2015, archivist Rindi Shannon purchased an old postcard with a black & white photograph on it.  It was a rural scene with a dirt road, a fence and an old mill.  It was labeled “Old Horshor Mill 1844, Tazewell Co., Ill.”  She decided to try and find the location of the old mill. Rindi would eventually find the Horshor Mill was actually the Hoshor Mill but was it located in Tazewell County? See how Rindi solved the mystery!

1904 – Kiblinger & Merchenthaler Grocery

Photo of Kiblinger and Merchenthaler Grocery

This photo of Morton’s Kiblinger and Merchenthaler Grocery was taken in the spring of 1904. The store was located on the east side of Main Street.

1909 – Holt & Caterpillar Tractor Companies

1930s Photo of Caterpillar Bulldozers being loaded onto an Illinois River Barge

The Holt Manufacturing Company came to East Peoria (Tazewell County) to build earth moving tractors in 1909. Holt Manufacturing was the first company to successfully manufacture a continuous track tractor. Holt changed the name of the company to Holt Caterpillar Company, although he did not trademark the name Caterpillar until 1910. The company would be renamed to the Caterpillar Tractor Company in 1925.

1929 – Horse Drawn Illinois River Ferry

Photo of 1929 Horse Drawn Illinois River Ferry

Horse drawn ferry across the Illinois River at Kingston Mines

1933 – Pendergast Inn

Mackinaw's Pendergast Inn, View from South

In 1837, James Pendergast bought a lot in the village of Mackinaw, Illinois, and erected the tavern known as the Pendergast Inn on what would become the corner of Market & Monroe Streets. This inn was used as a regular stop for the stage line between Bloomington and Pekin, Illinois. Many noted people used this inn as a stopover including Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, Governor Oglesby, and many generals during the Civil War.

Cart

Search our Website:

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Upcoming Events

Apr 11

April Meeting

April 11 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Pekin IL
United States

April Meeting is cancelled due to installation of new mobile shelving. More…

Jun 02

Carolyn’s Closet Rummage Sale

June 2 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Pekin IL
United States

Annual Carolyn’s Closet Rummage Sale. Donations drop off begins Monday, May 1. More…

Jun 03

Carolyn’s Closet Rummage Sale

June 3 @ 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Pekin IL
United States

Annual Carolyn’s Closet Rummage Sale. Donations drop off begins Monday, May 1. More…

View More…

Visit Us

Ehrlicher Research Center
719 N 11th Street
PO Box 312
Pekin, IL 61555-0312
(309) 477-3044
Contact TCGHS
Map & Directions

Our Hours

Monday 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Wednesday   9:00 am-4:30 pm
Thursday 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Sunday 2:00 pm-4:30 pm

Quick Links

  • Join Us/Renew
  • Library Overview
  • Coming Events
  • Society Publications
  • Research Services
  • Donate to the Society
  • Contact Us

Resources

Website Map

Links to Other Resources

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

© 1999–2023 • Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society • All Rights Reserved

Copyright • Terms of Use • Privacy