In 1875, the beginnings of the Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern were created as the Crooked Creek Railroad.
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Charted as an 8 mile route east of Fort Dodge, the route connected coal mines in the area.
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By 1885, it was made a standard gauge, and began consolidated operations with the Webster City and Southwestern Railroad, which operated from the existing route to Webster City.
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In 1892, the CCR purchased the WC&SW.  In 1893, the route would be extended to Fraser by the Boone Valley Coal and Railway Company.
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Another railroad was formed in 1899, the Marshalltown and Dakota Railway, which planned to build from Marshalltown to South Dakota.
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However, this route was never built.  Despite this, the M&D completed a line from Fraser to Gowrie.    
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In 1901, the M&D name changed to the Boone, Rockwell City and Northwestern Railway.  By 1904, routes would be opened to Newton from Fraser.
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At the same time, the route to Rockwell City would also be completed.
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In 1906, the Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern Railroad is incorporated to consolidate the numerous lines in the area.  This route would become the largest interurban route in Iowa.
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The railroad began to falter in 1930, and passenger service was reduced during World War II.  Between 1968 and 1983, the route became part of the Chicago & North Western and several miles were abandoned.
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In 1983, the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad would be started to begin operations on a several mile segment of track from Fraser to Boone, along the Des Moines River.
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Since conception, the B&SV has grown considerably and has become one of the main attractions in Iowa.