The Long Island Railroad was completed in 1842. This first railroad line ran through the Pine Barrens that is now Brentwood and ended in Greenport. The LIRR started out as a freight line. Thompson Station was built in 1842. It was a post office, a general store and a railroad whistle-stop. The first railroad depot, built in 1870, was a freight station and was located one half mile west of Thompson Station. This depot burned down in 1903.

In 1904 the first passenger depot in Brentwood was completed. The station was located on First Avenue, west of Brentwood Road. This railroad station was a handsome brick building with fine detailing on its bracketed eves and stick style overhanging supports. The Brentwood Railroad Station was bordered on the south by the station plaza which was utilized for parking. Here stood some of the famous pine trees for which Brentwood is noted. The railway station on First Avenue stayed in use on the Ronkonkoma line until 1987. At this time the Long Island Railroad officially closed the doors of the brick station and opened a newly constructed high level platform and station house east of Brentwood Road next to Ross Park. The new platform is part of the LIRR mainline electrification project. The brick railway station was vacant until 2006 when it was transformed into a beautiful restaurant surrounded by lovely gardens. There is a plaque beside the front door marking this well known Brentwood landmark.

-A. Bennett, Local History Newsletter, February 2007