The name "Knollwood" first became associated with the area in the early 20th century. The Chicago, North Shore and Milwaukee railway stop, located at the intersection of Rockland Road and Telegraph Road (now Waukegan Road), was named "Creamer Corners". To the southwest of the station was a property, consisting of two farms, owned by Mrs. Granger Farwell and Mr. A.C. Accord. This property was known as "Knollwood Farm". In 1923, Knollwood Farm was purchased by a group of wealthy Chicago businessmen (including Samuel Insull, Robert P. Lamont, Nathan William MacChesney and Thomas E. Wilson), who wished to turn the land into a country club. The following year, the Knollwood Country Club was founded, and the purchase was finalized in 1925. The community that sprang up around the club came to be known as Knollwood.