In 1869, the Missouri Valley Railroad was working its way north from Savannah, Missouri toward the Missouri/Iowa state lines north of Hopkins to fulfill their contract with the State of Missouri to connect the two states and provide a shorter route between Kansas City and the markets in Chicago, and eastward. In mid 1869, they entered White Cloud Township in southern Nodaway County and began purchasing right of way for the railroad to cross the private farms along the 102 River. Among the landholders granting right of way was Dr. Perry H. Talbott, a prominent doctor and local politician. Another man, a prosperous rancher, Scott K. Snively also saw the potential for improvement and began buying land along the route in conjunction with Dr. Talbott and other local men. Knowing that prosperity follows the railroad, the two men began to envision a new town along the route. Over the next four years, they would make that dream a reality and the town of Arkoe would be established. By the end of the 1800s and into the early 1900s, Arkoe, Missouri would become one of the busiest freight and passenger stops in Nodaway County.