Minneapolis and Cedar Valley Railroad Company

The railroad was incorporated in 1856 to build and operate a rail line from Minneapolis to the southern boundary of the territory. It succeeded in locating and grading 69 miles of roadbed from Minneapolis to Owatonna, via Mendota and Faribault, before forfeiting its charter rights and franchises to the state of Minnesota in 1860. Its remaining assets became the Minnesota Central Railway in 1864. The line to Owatonna was completed (1866) and leased out. In 1867 the firm became part of the McGregor Western Railway, eventually ending up as part of the Milwaukee Road.