Benson Street station

Benson Street station

Company type	Former railroad station
Industry	Transportation
Founded	1883
Defunct	2002
Headquarters	Glen Ridge, New Jersey , United States
Products	Passenger rail services (former)

Benson Street is a defunct railroad station situated within a residential neighborhood in Glen Ridge, New Jersey.

History

Constructed in 1883, the station showcases a unique English Tudor architectural design featuring stucco exterior walls and a slate roof. Originally part of the New York and Greenwood Lake Railway network, which was operated by the Erie Railroad, it was first known as Glenwood. The facility comprised two tracks and platforms illuminated by gas lighting. Subsequently renamed Benson Street, the station was included on the New Jersey Transit Rail Operations Boonton Line, providing service between Hoboken Terminal and Hackettstown. Passenger operations ended on September 20, 2002, coinciding with the shutdown of nearby stations at Rowe Street and Arlington following the inauguration of the Montclair Connection. Travelers from Glen Ridge now utilize the centrally located Glen Ridge station.

In May 2009, ownership of the Benson Street station transferred from New Jersey Transit to private individuals who began restoring the fire-damaged and deteriorated building. As a contributing property within the Glen Ridge Historic District, the restoration received authorization from the New Jersey State Historical Preservation Organization in December 2009 to commence work, starting with stabilizing the basement structure. By mid-2010, renovation efforts included installing new gutters, repairing walls, and replacing roofing materials. The original paneling on the first floor was retained, while the upper floor underwent refurbishment for adaptation into a single-family dwelling. Restoration was finalized around May 2012, converting the former station into a residence while preserving one of its platforms.

See also

• Operating Passenger Railroad Stations Thematic Resource (New Jersey)
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Essex County, New Jersey