Steward is a village in Lee County, Illinois, United States.

John Grimes built the first house in Alto Township in Plum Thicket in 1847, located east on the outskirts of the village as it is today.

Steward built the first elevator at the east end of Main Street run by steam.

The first house in Steward after the town's formation is on John Street, also standing today, built in 1872.

The railroad offices and warehouse were in Wesley Steward's barn until 1871, when the first depot was then built.

The present depot, no longer in use by the Burlington Northern and in the process of being salvaged by a group in interested citizens of the village as a historical landmark, a museum, library, and social meeting place for anyone in the community, was built in 1896.

The Milwaukee depot and switch tower for both railroads were on the northwest edge of town.

The charter for the First National Bank of Steward was signed and issued on December 18, 1902.

The first Post Office was established at Heaton August 31, 1871, and located in the Steward depot.