The South Dakota Central Railway ran between Sioux Falls and Watertown. The railroad was organized and operated by local businessmen. Sioux Falls lawyer Joe Kirby

Joe Kirby

Joe Kirby was a self-educated son of Irish immigrants who became an important figure in South Dakota history...

 served as the railroad's vice president and attorney.

Construction of the line began in 1904. Nine new towns were created along the line, including Crooks

Crooks, South Dakota

Crooks is a city in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, United States and is a suburb of Sioux Falls. The population was 1,269 at the 2010 census. Crooks was named New Hope until 1904.-Geography:Crooks is located at ....

, Lyons

Lyons, South Dakota

Lyons is an unincorporated community in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, United States. Although not tracked by the Census Bureau, Lyons has been assigned the ZIP code of 57041....

, Lake Norden and Hayti

Hayti, South Dakota

Hayti is a town in Hamlin County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 381 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Watertown, South Dakota Micropolitan Statistical Area...

. Frederick Maytag invested in the railroad in 1904. At about the same time he established the Maytag

Maytag

Maytag Corporation is an American home and commercial appliance company, headquartered in Newton, Iowa, that is a division of the Whirlpool Corporation.-Company history:...

 Company which made washing machines.

The railroad suffered chronic financial difficulties. It went into receivership in 1908 and was sold in 1916 in accordance with a bankruptcy court order. It eventually came under the control of the Great Northern Railway.

Maytag lost money on his railroad investment, and even reimbursed friends who invested in the venture on his advice.