 The RLD&M was chartered on February 9, 1893, and built a  connection from Rice Lake to Cameron; construction began on October 16, and the line began operations on February 22, 1894.In the Summer of 1899, surveyors began work to extend the line from Cameron to Menomonie, with the first surveys taking place on August 23.Construction continued through Barron in 1900 such that by the end of the year, a second line connecting Barron and Ridgeland was completed.