It was built in 1889 and ran 13.6 miles (21.9 km) from Kentville to Kingsport serving the Cornwallis Township area of Kings County.

[1] The Cornwallis Valley Railway was formed in 1887 by merchants in Canning, Nova Scotia, and Kentville including the Member of Parliament Frederick William Borden.

[3] Built with local labour under professional supervision, the line opened on December 22, 1890, leasing rolling stock and terminal facilities from the Windsor and Annapolis Railway (W&A) in Kentville.

[6] The CVR's traffic thrived on apple exports as well as freight and passengers from the connection to steamers and schooners at the Kingsport wharf.

It also served as a suburban railway for the central part of Kings County, bringing school children, shoppers and workers to town in the morning and back home at night.