Chenoa in McLean County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Matthew T. Scott

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 29, 2020

1. Matthew T. Scott Marker

Inscription.
Matthew T. Scott made his fortune on the Grand Prairie in the 19th century by developing thousands of acres of farmland. He founded the town of Chenoa in 1855 as a center for his business activities. Although Scott bought and sold over 45,000 acres of Illinois farm land. The development of his personal holdings of 5,000 acres in Livingston and McLean counties was his main interest. To produce maximum yields, Scott had his land drained with pipe tile and 250 miles of ditching. The productivity of this land was a tribute to Scott's planning and ingenuity. Scott's home, constructed in 1855 and enlarged in 1863, was restored in 1983 by his great niece, Elizabeth Stevenson Ives.

Erected 1991 by Illinois History Club of Lexington High School and the Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 40° 44.839′ N, 88° 43.081′ W. Marker is in Chenoa, Illinois, in McLean County.

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It is on North 1st Avenue south of Hamilton Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 227 N 1st Ave, Chenoa IL 61726, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: In Memory of Maude Henline (approx. 0.3 miles away); Route 66 Fetch & Stretch Dog Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Historic Route 66 • Chenoa (approx. half a mile away); "Memory Lane" (approx. 7.4 miles away); The John Patton Cabin (approx. 7.6 miles away); The Motor Police (approx. 7.9 miles away); Protecting Travelers (approx. 7.9 miles away); David Hyatt Van Dolah House (approx. 8.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chenoa.

Also see . . . Matthew T. Scott House on Wikipedia.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 29, 2020

2. Matthew T. Scott Marker

Marker is in front of the Matthew T. Scott historic home.

The house, where Scott and his wife, Julia, lived was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (#83000331). Adlai Stevenson I (U.S. Vice President during Grover Cleveland's second term) often visited the place. Julia once served as President of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the group had a room inside the house during the time she lived there. (Submitted on November 14, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 377 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 14, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.