The history of Hollis Township is one of agriculture, mining and the Illinois River.

Just how important the mining was is reflected in this note from "The Atlas Map of Peoria County, 1873": Along the bluff on the line of the Toledo, Peoria and Warsaw Railroad is some the most valuable coal mines in the state. (emphasis added) (The railroad later replaced Warsaw with Western in its name and was commonly referred to as the TP&W.)

(To see the 1873 plat of Hollis Township, click here.)