Sciota was laid out in September 1867 by William B. Clarke and was called "Clarkesville" in his honor.

A newspaper, The Sciota Sentinel, was published by H. C. Harl around 1895, but only one issue seems to have survived (October 17, 1895, no.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Sciota has a total area of 0.31 square miles (0.80 km2), all land.

The village of Sciota lies in an area of prime farmland[12] with soil classified as Mollisols.

Sciota is accessible by public roads from the south via McDonough County road East 800th Street (County Highway 13) which intersects with Illinois Route 9 1/2 mile south of the village.

There is one grade crossing protected by a pair of crossbucks with flashing lights and a mechanical warning bell (no gates).