Chenoa, Illinois

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title: "Chenoa, Illinois" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["cities-in-illinois", "cities-in-mclean-county,-illinois", "1856-establishments-in-illinois"] topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chenoa,_Illinois" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

Field	Value
name	City of Chenoa
settlement_type	City
seal_type	Logo
motto	Crossroads of Opportunity
image_map	File:McLean County Illinois Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Chenoa Highlighted.svg
map_caption	Location of Chenoa in McLean County, Illinois.
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name	United States
subdivision_type1	State
subdivision_name1	Illinois
subdivision_type2	County
subdivision_name2	McLean
subdivision_type3	Township
subdivision_name3	Chenoa
established_title	Founded
established_date	1854
leader_title	Mayor
unit_pref	Imperial
area_footnotes
area_total_km2	6.40
area_total_sq_mi	2.47
area_land_km2	6.29
area_land_sq_mi	2.43
area_water_km2	0.11
area_water_sq_mi	0.04
population_as_of	2020
population_total	1720
population_density_km2	273.27
population_density_sq_mi	707.82
timezone	CST
utc_offset	−6
timezone_DST	CDT
utc_offset_DST	−5
elevation_footnotes
elevation_ft	719
coordinates
coordinates_footnotes
postal_code_type	ZIP Code
postal_code	61726
area_code	815
blank_name	FIPS code
blank_info	17-12931
blank1_name	GNIS ID
blank1_info	2393816
website
::

Chenoa is a city in McLean County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,695 at the 2020 census. The city is located at the intersections of Interstate 55, Historic Route 66, and U.S. Route 24. 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. The Chenoa Centennial was celebrated in 1954. The town is situated in a highly productive agricultural area. The town school system closed at the end of the 2004 school year, consolidating with the nearby Prairie Central school district.

History

Founding of Chenoa

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Chenoa_Il_downtown1.JPG" caption="Downtown Chenoa, Illinois in mid-March 2007. The Historic Mural seen here has since been painted over after the new library was built."] ::

The Town of Chenoa was laid out on May 13, 1856, by Matthew T. Scott. At this time the Chicago and Alton Railroad, had been running trains for almost two years, but the survey for the east-west Toledo, Peoria and Oquawka (soon to be the Toledo, Peoria and Western) had not reached McLean County. Scott anticipated the place where the railroads would cross and platted the town which he called Chenoa. 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. The European settlement history of Chenoa began in 1854 when Matthew T. Scott began buying thousands of acres of land in this area.

The Name Chenoa

There has been much discussion about the meaning of the name Chenoa. Mid-nineteenth century histories explain that it was an Indian word for "Kentucky" and could therefore be rendered as "Dark and Bloody Ground." Callary makes it clear that this is incorrect and that this meaning is unknown in Kentucky. Others explain that Chenoa is a Cherokee word meaning "Dove" or "White Dove." Again this is not the case. Dove in Cherokee is "waya" and white dove "unega waya." 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." This again is not true. The railroad had no say in the naming of Chenoa; the spelling "Chenoa" is exactly how Scott recorded the name when he first laid out the town. However, "Chenoka" or "Chenoa" is one of many Native American names for the Kentucky River and this may explain how Scott got the idea that the word could be translated as Kentucky.

Design of Chenoa

The plan of Chenoa is complex because it is the blending of two rival townsites. Scott's original town, which lies west of the railroad, was built around a central park, is much more like the plan like central Illinois towns of the 1830s than that of other towns laid out in the 1850s. However, Scott only owned Section 2, while his rival, and former business companion, William Marshall had purchased Section 1. Marshall's land included most of the land east of the railroad; on this land, he laid out a competing town, East Chenoa. Scott did control a small strip between the two towns which he refused to plat out into streets and lots, so anyone who tried to pass the short distance from one town to the other would be guilty of trespass. Scott would call this strip his "imaginary wall," although it was never a physical barrier. The dual nature of the platting also explains why Chenoa had two distinct streets named Lincoln. Both Scott's and Marshall's towns were orthogonal grids with north–south and east–west streets, but plan became still more complex when a later addition by Scott included Veto Street, which ran parallel to the railroad and at an odd angle to the earlier streets.

Selling Chenoa

The first advertisement for the town of Chenoa appeared under the bold heading, GREAT SALE OF LOTS IN THE TOWN OF CHENOA, May 15, 1856. The advertisement makes clear the advantages Scott had in mind when he selected the location of the town. 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. Moreover, anyone who sold liquor in the town would forfeit the title to their property.

Development of Chenoa

The great problem with the development of Chenoa was that, before the town was laid out, there had been no settlement in the surrounding country. The land around Chenoa was prairie wilderness. 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. Soon the tough prairie sod was broken by the plow which made acres and acres of land available for farming. Scott aided the development of nearby land by plowing and cultivating 16000 acre, building two hundred houses, and planting twenty-seven miles of hedge fences. The first structures within the limits of the new town were two little half-sod and half-board dugouts which served as depot, freight house, and shelter for railroad section hands; this is one of the very few mentions of sod houses in McLean County. J. 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." J. B. Lenney took an active part in the development of the town and is referred to as the "Father of Chenoa." In 1856 the National Hotel was constructed. All of these buildings were on the east side of the tracks. In 1864 Chenoa, East Chenoa, and several additions were united under one town government which was confirmed by a special act of the Illinois General Assembly in 1869.

Development continues

Slowly, additional improvements were made. Rectangular blocks of stone were placed at road intersections. Changes in livestock laws made it possible for residents to tear down the wooden fences that had once surrounded every residence. Many trees were planted. The Chicago and Alton was double tracked in 1890. In 1891 the first electric lights were installed. A union station was built so both railroads could share passenger facilities; unfortunately it burned down during Armistice celebrations on November 11, 1918. This was not the towns only serious July 1894 the entire business district town east of the Railroad burned down; very few of the buildings were insured. Railroad traffic peaked in 1911, when twenty-four trains arrived. 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. Several small manufacturers operate here and a number of antique dealers are Chenoa-based. Chenoa was once home to two competing grain elevators. The last one was demolished in late December 2020. Chenoa is now the headquarters of the Bright Stalk Wind Farm.

Geography

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Chenoa_Crossroads.jpg" caption="Signage upon entering Chenoa."] ::

According to the 2020 census, Chenoa has a total area of 2.475 sqmi, of which 2.43 sqmi (or 98.18%) is land and 0.045 sqmi (or 1.82%) is water.{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1712931 |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1 |access-date=December 26, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213063203/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1712931 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead

Situated in McLean County, the area surrounding Chenoa boasts some of the richest soil 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. McLean County is traditionally the state's leading corn and soybean producer.

Historical landmarks

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/Chenoa_Il_Scott_House1.JPG" caption="The Matthew T. Scott House"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Chenoa_Il_Rail_Sta1.JPG" caption="fix-attempted=yes}}"] ::

The Matthew T. Scott House was built as a home for Matthew T. Scott, who promoted and developed much of the surrounding area. It is closely associated with many events in the history of Chenoa. What appears today to be one building, is in fact, a blending of two structures. The oldest part is, at the rear of the house, was built in 1855, as a post and beam I-cottage. 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. The foundation of both is of Joliet dolomite. In addition to Matthew T. Scott, the home was the scene of many family events. 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.

By 1980 the house was in poor condition and seemed likely to be demolished. It was then bought and restored by Mrs. Elizabeth Stevenson Ives, a great niece of Matthew T. Scott. In 1982 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Climate

Chenoa has a Humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa), with hot, humid summers and cold, slightly drier winters. The frost-free Growing season averages 173 days.

|location = Chenoa, Illinois (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–present) |single line = Y |collapsed = Y | Jan record high F = 67 | Feb record high F = 73 | Mar record high F = 85 | Apr record high F = 91 | May record high F = 96 | Jun record high F = 102 | Jul record high F = 105 | Aug record high F = 103 | Sep record high F = 100 | Oct record high F = 92 | Nov record high F = 79 | Dec record high F = 72 | year record high F = 105 | Jan high F = 31.7 | Feb high F = 36.5 | Mar high F = 49.2 | Apr high F = 62.4 | May high F = 73.4 | Jun high F = 81.7 | Jul high F = 83.9 | Aug high F = 82.3 | Sep high F = 77.1 | Oct high F = 64.4 | Nov high F = 48.9 | Dec high F = 36.7 | year high F = 60.7 | Jan mean F = 23.4 | Feb mean F = 27.7 | Mar mean F = 39.0 | Apr mean F = 50.8 | May mean F = 62.0 | Jun mean F = 70.8 | Jul mean F = 73.4 | Aug mean F = 71.5 | Sep mean F = 65.2 | Oct mean F = 53.4 | Nov mean F = 40.0 | Dec mean F = 29.0 | year mean F = 50.5 | Jan low F = 15.2 | Feb low F = 18.8 | Mar low F = 28.8 | Apr low F = 39.1 | May low F = 50.6 | Jun low F = 59.9 | Jul low F = 63.0 | Aug low F = 60.7 | Sep low F = 53.3 | Oct low F = 42.4 | Nov low F = 31.0 | Dec low F = 21.3 | year low F = 40.3 | Jan record low F = −25 | Feb record low F = −22 | Mar record low F = −6 | Apr record low F = 7 | May record low F = 22 | Jun record low F = 36 | Jul record low F = 45 | Aug record low F = 37 | Sep record low F = 24 | Oct record low F = 17 | Nov record low F = -4 | Dec record low F = −26 | year record low F = -26 | precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation inch = 2.17 | Feb precipitation inch = 1.59 | Mar precipitation inch = 2.68 | Apr precipitation inch = 3.57 | May precipitation inch = 4.52 | Jun precipitation inch = 3.81 | Jul precipitation inch = 3.74 | Aug precipitation inch = 3.17 | Sep precipitation inch = 3.13 | Oct precipitation inch = 3.23 | Nov precipitation inch = 2.63 | Dec precipitation inch = 2.03 | year precipitation inch = 36.27 | Jan snow inch = 5.3 | Feb snow inch = 4.8 | Mar snow inch = 2.3 | Apr snow inch = 0.8 | May snow inch = 0.0 | Jun snow inch = 0.0 | Jul snow inch = 0.0 | Aug snow inch = 0.0 | Sep snow inch = 0.0 | Oct snow inch = 0.0 | Nov snow inch = 1.3 | Dec snow inch = 5.4 | year snow inch = 19.9 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in | Jan precipitation days = 6.5 | Feb precipitation days = 4.8 | Mar precipitation days = 7.8 | Apr precipitation days = 10.5 | May precipitation days = 11.1 | Jun precipitation days = 9.1 | Jul precipitation days = 8.1 | Aug precipitation days = 7.6 | Sep precipitation days = 6.9 | Oct precipitation days = 8.9 | Nov precipitation days = 8.1 | Dec precipitation days = 6.6 | year precipitation days = 96.0 | unit snow days = 0.1 in | Jan snow days = 2.8 | Feb snow days = 2.5 | Mar snow days = 1.5 | Apr snow days = 0.4 | May snow days = 0.0 | Jun snow days = 0.0 | Jul snow days = 0.0 | Aug snow days = 0.0 | Sep snow days = 0.0 | Oct snow days = 0.0 | Nov snow days = 0.8 | Dec snow days = 3.1 | year snow days = 11.1 | source 1 = NOAA | url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=ilx | title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data | publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | access-date = July 14, 2021}} | url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00111475&format=pdf | title = Station: Chenoa, IL | work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) | publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | access-date = July 14, 2021}}

Demographics

|1880= 1063 |1890= 1226 |1900= 1512 |1910= 1314 |1920= 1311 |1930= 1325 |1940= 1401 |1950= 1452 |1960= 1523 |1970= 1860 |1980= 1847 |1990= 1732 |2000= 1845 |2010= 1785 |2020= 1720 |footnote=Decennial US Census As of the census of 2020, there were 1,695 people, 790 households, and 451 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,472.2 PD/sqmi. There were 768 housing units at an average density of 612.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 94.24% White, 1.85% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 1.50% from other races, and 1.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.60% of the population.

There were 790 households, out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,420, and the median income for a family was $50,948. Males had a median income of $35,821 versus $21,361 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,559. About 4.6% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

Stan Albeck, basketball head coach for various teams, was born in Chenoa.
Lewis Stevenson, Illinois secretary of state was born in Chenoa.
Marty Roberts, disc jockey (DJ), songwriter, TV personality and actor
Chenoa, Spanish artist named after the town

References

"2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
{{GNIS. 2393816
"McLean County Biographies".
''History of McLean County, Illinois'' (Chicago: Le Baron, 1879) p. 498.
Callary, Edward, ''The Place Names of Illinois'' (Champaign: University of Illinois Press, 2009)p.67.
""American Indian" Names That Don't Have The Meaning They're Supposed To".
Henry E. Coonley, ''Reminiscences of Chenoa and its Inhabitants Prior to 1887'' (Chicago 1933) pp. 304 and several other sources.
Verhoeff, Mary, ''The Kentucky River Navigation'' (Filson Club Publications Number 29; Louisville: John P. Morton, 1917) p. 1, footnote.
''McLean County Combined Atlases, 1853- - 1914'' (Bloomington: McLean County Historical Society and McLean County Genealogical Society, 2006) p. 110.
''Chenoa'' (Chenoa Centennial Committee, 1859) p.9.
''Pantagraph'' (Bloomington, Illinois) April 30, 1856, p.4.
''Chenoa'', 1959, p. 10.
''Chenoa'', 1959, p.13.
''Chenoa,'' 1957, pp. 13-14.
''Chenoa'' 1859 p.15.
''Chenoa'', 1959, p. 18-21.
''New York Times'', July 25, 1894, p.4.
''Chenoa'' 1959, p. 22.
. ["Bright Stalk"](https://www.edpr.com/north-america/bright-stalk-wind-farm). *EDP Renewables*.
"Glaciers have the dirt on Illinois Fertile Farmland". U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[https://www.pontiacdailyleader.com/news/x1520365684/Council-resident-happy-to-see-depot-demolished]{{dead link. (November 2016)
Walters, William D. Jr. "The History, Design and Restoration of the Matthew T. Scott House, Chenoa", P.A.S.T. (Pioneer America Society Transactions) 7 (1984) 89-93.
{{NRISref
"U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
'Illinois Blue Book 1915-1916, Biographical Sketch of Lewis G. Stevenson, pg. 12

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