The station was originally the northern terminus of what was to be the Southport-Preston Line, running from Hesketh Park on the northern outskirts of Southport; the line through to Preston was opened in September 1888 after the opening of a swing bridge over the Douglas in May of that year.
The station was initially the northern endpoint of what would become the Southport-Preston Line, extending from Hesketh Park on the north side of Southport; this line to Preston opened in September 1888 following the completion of a swing bridge over Douglas in May that year.