The earliest, Benjamin Bear, initially came in 1853 to choose a prime site with an ever-flowing spring, then returned the following year with his family.

(Today Chester Woods Lake is formed around a portion of Bear Creek that was held back behind a dam built to protect nearby Rochester from flooding.)

In the early years Eyota was an important destination for business travelers and mail, and shipping point for locally raised grain and cattle.

It was located only a mile from a wye with rail extensions going north to Plainview and south to Chatfield, making Eyota a stopping point for travelers on their way to other places.

[9] Eyota streets were laid out on the farmland of Milo Matteson by investor Samuel E. Everett, a speculator from New York State.

A downtown district, built only on the south side of the street, faced the busy railroad yard.

Charles P. Russell, another early investor, built a store on the corner of South Front Street and Center Avenue in 1865.

He built a fine two-story home and bought grain from local farmers with his business partner O.H.

A whole line of stores flanked on the ends by the C.P Russell building and the Everett House faced the railroad depot and yard to the north.

Establishments included hardware, lumber, wagon and harness makers, livery, drug store, general mercantile, hotels and several saloons.

Dr. Stinchfield built up an extensive practice, having another office in nearby St. Charles and using part of his home as a hospital.

He arrived in 1873 and left in 1892 when the Mayos from Rochester convinced him to become the first non-family member to partner in their practice.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.69 square miles (4.38 km2), all land.