Wellesley Hills station
| Company type | MBTA Commuter Rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | 1886 |
| Headquarters | Wellesley, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | Commuter rail services on the Framingham/Worcester Line |
Wellesley Hills station operates as an MBTA Commuter Rail stop located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, serving the Framingham/Worcester Line. Positioned just off Washington Street (MA-16), the station comprises two low-level platforms adjacent to a pair of tracks and lacks accessibility features. The station building, completed in 1886 and designed by renowned architect Henry Hobson Richardson in 1885, represents the final installment among nine stations he created for the Boston and Albany Railroad. This structure succeeded an original station constructed in 1834 concurrent with the development of the Boston and Worcester Railroad.
History
The expansion of the Boston & Worcester Railroad (B&W) reached the West Parish area of Needham in 1834. At that time, North Needham station—also referred to simply as Needham—temporarily served as the line's terminus while construction progressed toward Worcester. By 1839, the railroad had established double tracks along this route.
In approximately 1844, plans were proposed to relocate the station to West Needham, a community with a larger population base; consequently, a new station was constructed there. Around 1846, enhancements were made to the original Needham station. Over time, this station underwent several name changes: from Grantville to briefly Nehoiden, and ultimately to Wellesley Hills in 1881 when West Parish separated from Needham to form the town of Wellesley.
The Wellesley Hills depot, designed by Richardson in 1885 for the Boston & Albany Railroad, showcased a design characterized by rough-cut light-colored stone accented with dark trim, slate roofing, and ornamental stone carvings. It accommodated both regional commuter services within the Boston Metropolitan Area and long-distance trains heading toward Albany, New York.
By 1962, after ceasing use as a railroad facility, the station building was repurposed into a dry cleaning establishment featuring large plate glass windows. Meanwhile, the earlier station building dating from 1855 was relocated across the street and converted into a private home.
In June 2021, the MBTA awarded a $28 million contract focused on design work for adding a third track between Weston and Framingham. This project includes reconstructing Wellesley Hills along with other stations on the line. The total investment is projected at approximately $400 million, with Wellesley Hills' portion estimated between $43 million and $45 million and anticipated completion around 2030. In early 2024, the MBTA trialed temporary freestanding accessible platforms at Beverly Depot intended to provide interim accessibility solutions without extensive renovations. By May 2024, Wellesley Hills was identified as a candidate location for implementing this platform design.