MARENGO, a thriving post-village and railroad station of McHenry county, Illinois, on the railroad between Chicago and Galena, 66 miles W. N. W. from the former. Population in 1853, about 650. (Baldwin's New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States..., 1854)
MARENGO A flourishing post village of McHenry county, on the line of the Galena and Chicago Union railroad, 66 miles west-north-west from the latter place. The place has within the last few years increased very rapidly, and is one of the most prominent points on the line of the road. There is a fine school located here, called the Marengo Collegiate Institute, located under the direction of the Presbytery of Chicago, having a liberal supply of professors and teachers. Richard Bishop, Postmaster. (Hawes' Illinois State Gazetteer..., 1859)