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Matthew T. Scott House

Historic building
In Chenoa, Illinois
0.4 mi from Route 66
National Register of Historic Places

The Matthew T. Scott House stands in Chenoa, near Pontiac, IL, less than a mile off the old Route 66 corridor. Matthew T. Scott, who founded Chenoa, lived here with his wife, Julia Green. The house grew in two stages, in 1855 and 1863, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for how well it represents a home of its era. It makes a short, easy detour for history lovers.

What is Matthew T. Scott House?

The older part, from 1855, was built as a true I-house, the tall, one-room-deep form common on the Midwestern landscape; it now serves as the caretaker's living quarters. The front section, added in 1863, follows the Georgian form, and the house is also described as Colonial Revival in style.

Inside are three period rooms, a room for the Daughters of the American Revolution and a Chenoa room, so the house doubles as a small showcase of local history.

History of Matthew T. Scott House

The Scotts made this house their home, and its two building dates, eight years apart, record how it was enlarged. Its importance today lies in how clearly it represents a home of the mid-1800s.

Visiting Matthew T. Scott House: tips

Chenoa sits less than a mile off the old road. Opening arrangements are not recorded here, so check ahead if you hope to see the rooms; otherwise enjoy it from the street. Food and fuel are close by. Nearby historic stops include the John Patton Log Cabin, about 7.2 miles away, and the David Hyatt Van Dolah House, about 8 miles off.