In February 1885, the Delaware Legislature authorized the Queen Anne's Railroad, a Maryland corporation formed the previous year, to extend its lines across the state to Lewes and establish a direct link between Baltimore and the coast. On August 29, 1897, the first passenger train arrived here and was greeted by residents of the town and surrounding countryside. A station was erected on this site in October of that year. Regular passenger and mail service was provided, and a wide variety of freight was shipped and received. Passenger service was discontinued in October 1931. This was the last major railroad built on the Delmarva peninsula.