Founded in 1854 by Mathew T. Scott, Chenoa was created to provide a retail and trade center for his farm tenants as well as a grain shipping facility.

[4] Situated in McLean County, the area surrounding Chenoa boasts some of the richest soil[5] in the world.

Only patches of farmland in Argentina, southern Ukraine and along the Yellow River in China match the fertile ground that covers much of the northern half of Illinois, particularly a high-yielding band through the state's midsection.

Matthew T. Scott (February 24, 1828 - May 21, 1891) was the son of a Kentucky banker and by the time he reached Illinois, was an experienced land developer who led a group of well financed investors.

Mid-nineteenth century histories explain that it was an Indian word for "Kentucky" and could therefore be rendered as "Dark and Bloody Ground."

"[12] There is also the often-repeated story that Scott had originally wanted the name to read "Chenowa" but the railroad had mistakenly dropped the letter "w."[13] This again is not true.

The dual nature of the platting also explains why Chenoa had two distinct streets named Lincoln.

It was, he wrote, "The only crossing of railroads likely to be made within McLean County within four or five years, and persons can easily ascertain that the connection of the two roads will be effected by the first of November or December."

He went on to explain that, while there was no large body of timber nearby, coal will be furnished at twelve cents a bushel and cheep lumber, poplar, walnut, and oak will also be brought in by the railroad.

This was a particular advantage because "... persons will come from eight or ten miles for these articles, bringing along their grain, making loads with both ways - carrying back coal, sometimes for themselves, again for their neighbors."

If anyone would build a house worth $400 to $500 within six months of buying a lot, they could have two years of credit on the sale price interest free.

Scott was willing to take a quarter interest in a steam saw mill and would donate sites for churches, schools and burial grounds.

The Indians who had hunted and lived in Illinois country for many years had been moved by the U. S. Government to regions west of the Mississippi River by the time Chenoa was founded.

Scott aided the development of nearby land by plowing and cultivating 16,000 acres (65 km2), building two hundred houses, and planting twenty-seven miles of hedge fences.

B. Lenney came from Pennsylvania to the new town of Chenoa and in 1855 put up the frame building here which was called "The Farmer's Store."

A union station was built so both railroads could share passenger facilities; unfortunately it burned down during Armistice celebrations on November 11, 1918.

[24] After that automobile and truck traffic slowly replaced trains and Chenoa became a stop of the fabled Route 66.

Two currently active businesses here are notable due to their longevity: Schuirman's Drug Store (now Chenoa Pharmacy) and Union Roofing.

The more formal front of the house was added in 1863 and is a true balloon frame structure built around a central hall with an impressive staircase.

It was here that the first Adlai E. Stevenson I (1835–1914), who held many important government positions and would become the 23rd Vice President of the United States from 1893 to 1897, courted Scott's sister-in-law, Letitia Green; their wedding took place in this house in 1866.