Mountain Lakes station
| Company type | Commuter railroad station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | November 10, 1912 |
| Headquarters | Mountain Lakes , United States |
Area served | Montclair–Boonton Line, New Jersey Transit |
Mountain Lakes functions as a commuter railroad stop located in the borough of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, within Morris County, New Jersey. It serves passengers on the Montclair–Boonton Line operated by New Jersey Transit, marking the last station before the route converges with the Morristown Line at Denville station. The facility consists of a single low-level side platform adjacent to one track. Positioned on the platform is the historic William Hull Botsford depot, constructed in 1912, accompanied by an intricately designed shelter. Traveling eastbound, the following station is Boonton.
The station commenced operations on November 10, 1912, succeeding the former Fox Hill station situated on Newark Turnpike (currently U.S. Route 46). Fox Hill was part of the original Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad's Boonton Branch, which dates back to September 5, 1867. The establishment of Mountain Lakes station was championed by developer Herbert Hapgood and local community leaders to support the growing Mountain Lakes area. Today, this station is incorporated within the Mountain Lakes Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
History
Rail service through Boonton Township, New Jersey originated with the development of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (DL&W) Boonton Branch. The railroad secured a right-of-way passing through Parsippany Woods, including territory formerly owned by Hero Bull—a former slave and landowner in Rockaway Township. In 1866, Bull’s nephew, John Crowell, sold this land to the railroad company. On September 5, 1867, freight service began between the main line at Denville and Boonton, serving as a bypass across Morris, Passaic, and Bergen counties. Passenger trains started operating on December 14, 1870, with full service to Hoboken and along the Hudson River commencing earlier that year.
The initial stop east of Denville was Fox Hill in Hanover Township (now within Parsippany–Troy Hills), located near a grade crossing on Newark Turnpike (now part of U.S. Route 46). Fox Hill acted as a junction for a spur line servicing ice houses run by Howell Brothers for the Pocono Ice Company and included facilities such as a coal yard and siding. In 1897, to eliminate a reverse curve west of Boonton station, the Boonton Branch was realigned with Fox Hill serving as its western endpoint; this new route opened on November 28, 1897.
Herbert Hapgood—an entrepreneur known for developing Shoreham in Brookhaven, New York—established the Mountain Lakes Inn near the Boonton Branch tracks along Newark Turnpike close to what is now Crane Road. He founded Mountain Lakes, Incorporated with plans to build a new community within Boonton Township; construction of residences and infrastructure began in 1912 under Oak Ridge Company.
In May 1912, construction commenced on a new railroad station in Boonton Township valued at $40,000 (approximately $1.2 million today). At that time, Mountain Lakes had completed around 130 homes with another 20 underway. The one-story stone building was designed by architect William Hull Botsford under the supervision of railroad architect Frank J. Nies. Belle de Rivera—a local suffragist—had the honor of laying the cornerstone. This station replaced Fox Hill and was built on land formerly owned by Hero Bull.
To authorize closing Fox Hill station, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities required its upkeep until Mountain Lakes station was fully operational. Freight operations at Fox Hill were to continue thereafter. Additionally, new roads running parallel to the railroad were mandated to provide access from Newark Turnpike and connect Parsippany with Boonton. Mountain Lakes station officially opened its doors on November 10, 1912.
In October 1973, a state grant totaling $950,000 was approved for the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, aimed at extending platforms and enhancing facilities—including waiting shelters and pedestrian crossings—at Mountain Lakes along with other stations in Morris and Essex counties.
The New Jersey State Historical Preservation Office designated Mountain Lakes station as part of its Historic District in July 2005. Subsequently, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior on September 7, 2005.
Station layout and services
Mountain Lakes station consists of a single low-level side platform positioned next to the station building, accessible via a driveway connecting to Midvale Road. Parking options include a 13-space lot requiring permits, with a three-hour limit for non-permit holders, a 59-space lot located north of the tracks between Midvale and Elm Roads, and an additional 15-space lot situated on the west side of Midvale Road. The station is equipped with bicycle racks on the platform and houses a ticket vending machine inside the historic shelter.
Train service operates exclusively on weekdays, with no routine weekend runs except for holiday periods.