Ogdensburg, Clayton and Rome Railroad was founded to compete with the Black River and Utica on April 7, 1853. Both railroads were to head from their respective cities north to Boonville. From there, the BR&U took the low route and the OC&R took the high route. Everyone was agreed that the region could support only one railroad, and before either railroad could be completed, the Civil War intervened. No portion of the OC&R was completed, but grading was commenced at various points. By 1856, work was suspended, and the company lost its charter in 1859.