“Ruins” might be too harsh a word. But Tower Hill station stands. It is a testament to a bygone era. Today we explore this relic. Tower Hill is a former Staten Island Railway station. It is on the abandoned North Shore Branch.
Tower Hill is nestled between Port Richmond and Elm Park neighborhoods. This station is located between Treadwell and Sharpe Avenues. Tower Hill is about 3.4 miles from the Saint George Terminal. Once, two tracks served passengers here. They met at an island platform. Tower Hill is one of the best-preserved stations on the line. Port Richmond and Arlington stations share this honor.
Let’s step back in time. The station first opened February 23 1886. It was a surface station then. In 1935, a grade crossing elimination project began. Tower Hill and Port Richmond stations were elevated. The new elevated station opened February 25 1937. West of Tower Hill the line descends into an open cut. This starts past Nicholas Avenue.
Sadly, Tower Hill station closed March 31 1953. The South Beach Branch and North Shore Branch also closed then.
Now let’s talk layout. Tower Hill has a concrete island platform. A metal canopy still provides some shelter. Street staircases are at both ends of the platform. The westernmost exit is at Treadwell Avenue. The easternmost exit lies east of Sharpe Avenue. It’s on private property. This exit leads to an empty lot on Grove Avenue.
Imagine the hustle and bustle. Passengers once hurried to catch their trains at Tower Hill. The sounds of the train and voices filled the air. Now, silence prevails. Nature slowly reclaims this space.
Think about the possibilities. Some dream of restoring the North Shore Branch. They imagine trains running through Tower Hill again. For now, it remains a memory. It is a reminder of Staten Island’s railway past.
Tower Hill is a hidden gem. It offers a glimpse into history. The station stands as a reminder. It reminds us of what was and what could be. It is a piece of Staten Island’s story etched in concrete and steel.