in 1878, atchison, topeka and santa fe railway and people from marion county and mcpherson county started the marion and mcpherson railway company. in 1879, a railroad was built from florence to mcpherson. in 1880, it was extended to lyons. in 1881, it was extended to ellinwood. the line was controlled by the atchison, topeka and santa fe railway. the line from florence to marion, was left in 1968. in 1992, the line from marion to mcpherson was sold to central kansas railway. in 1993, because of heavy flood damage, the line from marion to mcpherson was left. the original branch line connected florence, marion, canada, hillsboro, lehigh, canton, galva, mcpherson, conway, windom, little river, mitchell, lyons, chase, and ellinwood.