This line was first built between Moorhead to the south and Halstad by the Minnesota & Dakota Northern Railroad in 1883, soon after acquired by the Saint Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railroad; the remainder of the line north to Crookston was completed in 1896 under Great Northern. Construction of this line was an answer to rival Northern Pacific Railroad's increasing presence in the Red River Valley area.

The portion of the line between Georgetown and Nielsville was abandoned under BNSF Railway in 2006. This abandonment severed the line into two active segments: the northern segment is operated by the Minnesota Northern Railroad while the southern segment is operated by BNSF Railway.