Tower Hill station (Boston and Maine Railroad)
| Company type | Former railway station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | October 1, 1881 |
| Fate | Closed |
| Headquarters | Wayland, Massachusetts , United States |
Area served | Wayland, Massachusetts |
| Owner | Massachusetts Central Railroad (original), Central Massachusetts Railroad, Boston and Maine Railroad, MBTA Commuter Rail |
Tower Hill station was once a railway stop located near Plain Road in Wayland, Massachusetts.
Background
The station was originally opened on October 1, 1881, by the Massachusetts Central Railroad. By 1885, operations had transitioned to its successor, the Central Massachusetts Railroad, and by 1887, the Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) had leased the rail corridor, designating it as the Central Massachusetts Branch. In 1965, the B&M service became part of the MBTA Commuter Rail network with financial support from the MBTA.
The initial station building was destroyed by fire in the 1890s and subsequently replaced with a similar design that remained in use until December 31, 1920. This second structure shared architectural similarities with nearby Weston and Wayland stations but was distinct in lacking roof eaves. During the early 1950s, B&M erected a modest wooden open shelter positioned between the now-closed station and the tracks. Approximately ten years later, the station building was torn down; however, passengers still utilized the shelter for boarding.
Operations on the Central Mass Branch ceased on November 26, 1971, largely due to deteriorating track conditions and a drop in passenger numbers. The shelter, left unattended and subjected to vandalism over many years, was finally removed in 1996.
In 2019, a paved segment of the Mass Central Rail Trail—Wayside was developed along the former railway right-of-way that Tower Hill station once served.