Canby is a city in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,795 at the 2010 census.

John Swenson, who secured a homestead on section 4 of Norman Township where now stands the City of Canby, was one of the early European settlers in the area. After erecting a affirmation shanty, for the openness of his neighbors, he opened a Tiny store in his cabin. In November 1874, he secured the launch of a say office in that store. At Swenson’s suggestion, the reveal office was named Canby, in award of Civil War and career officer General Edward Canby of the United States Army. (General Canby had been assassinated the prior year during friendship negotiations next the Modoc Tribe of Northern California.)

However, in 1876 the surrounding country was receiving extra settlers and the railway company deemed it mature to begin the operation of train service exceeding the western part of the line. Canby Station was acknowledged and upon August 24, 1876, and the city platted by the Winona & St. Peter Railroad Company soon after the railroad was extended to that point. Because of its location upon the rail line, Canby grew speedily and was incorporated as a village in 1879 and as a city in 1905.

Lots were sold by the railroad once the provision that they must be built upon within six months. Swenson was the first to buy, and he prearranged the corner of Front and Main for his first buildup building.