The City of Peru
The first known white settler in the current city limits of Peru was John Hays who moved here from Tennessee in the 1830s. By 1838, more people had arrived, and in December of that year, they voted to organize as a borough.
On April 2, 1850, the area was re-organized as the Township of Salisbury, later renamed to Peru. Then a short time later on March 15, 1851, the town incorporated as the city of Peru.
Today Peru has a population of almost 10,000 people and covers about 10 square miles. Its city limits extend from just south of the Illinois River to a mile north of Interstate 80 and from the city limits of LaSalle on the east to just west of Dalzell Road (3575 E street) on the west.
The Peru Historical Society
The Peru Historical Society was organized on April 1, 2025, as a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit charity in the state of Illinois. We are dedicated to the preservation, research, dissemination, and celebration of the rich history of Peru, Illinois.
Bylaws for the Society were approved on February 24, 2026, establishing the following Board of Directors to serve an initial term of two years after which elections will be held.
- Mike Sapienza, President
- Mike Nieslawski, Vice-President
- Pam Broviak, Secretary/Treasurer
- Bill Johnson, Board Director
- Scott Schweickert, Board Director