Lyman Dayton

Lyman Dayton (August 25, 1810 – October 20, 1865) was an American land developer, investor, and railroad promoter associated with the early development of Saint Paul, Minnesota. He is best known for platting land that became the neighborhood of Dayton's Bluff and for his involvement in early railroad projects connecting the Twin Cities to Lake Superior. The city of Dayton, Minnesota is named in his honor.

Early life Dayton was born on August 25, 1810, in Southington, Connecticut. In January 1831, he married Maria Bates in Rhode Island. That year he acquired a one-third interest in land from Henry Mower Rice, an influential territorial politician and businessman.

Real estate development Dayton became one of the most prominent land investors in early Saint Paul. By the mid-1850s he had acquired large tracts of land east of the city's downtown area.

In 1857 he platted an extensive residential subdivision known as Dayton's Addition on the bluffs east of the city. The area later became known as Dayton's Bluff, a historic neighborhood overlooking the Mississippi River.

Dayton reportedly owned approximately 5,000 acres of land in the region during this period.

Dayton invested personal funds—reported to be about $10,000—to support the surveying and early development of the line. He served as president of the railroad during its early organizational period.

The project later evolved into the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad, which ultimately created the first rail connection between the Twin Cities and Duluth, Minnesota. The line was completed after Dayton's death.

Legacy Dayton died on October 20, 1865, in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

He is remembered primarily for his influence on the development of Saint Paul's east side and for his role in early railroad promotion in Minnesota.

The following places are named after him:

Dayton's Bluff Dayton Avenue in Saint Paul Dayton, Minnesota

He is buried at Oakland Cemetery in Saint Paul.