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Brentwood Railroad Station

Page history last edited by Mary Ann Koferl 13 years, 1 month ago

 

You’re probably familiar with the Brentwood train station.  Maybe you’ve taken the train to New York City from Brentwood many times, perhaps even every day.  But did you know there’s an interesting history about it?  Well, you’re about to find out.

 

The station was originally at Thompson’s Station, located on Suffolk Avenue and Fifth Street.  This was a combination of Post Office, railroad depot, general store, and inn.  It was the centerpiece of Modern Times, the famous “experimental community” that was later renamed “Brentwood” after the town became too infamous for its unusual way of life. 

 

The railroad moved out of this building in 1869, and it was then relocated in the center of Brentwood.  Local residents donated the land and money for a new frame depot.  George E. Gilquist was the first Station Agent.  The station remained in that spot until April 1903, when it burned down.  Mr. Bureta, who was the Station Agent at that time, lit a fire in the old stove and left the building one day.  The stove grow too hot, and the building caught fire.  The L.I. Railroad then constructed a new brick building, which opened in November 1904 and remained on the same spot for many years.

 

The next major event in the station’s history happened in 1988, when electrification of all tracks on the Ronkonkoma branch (which the Brentwood station is on) was completed.  

 

The LIRR opened a new, modern station with high level platforms on Suffolk Avenue, just east of Brentwood road, where it is still located.  At the present time, the old building still stands.  There has been talk of its being converted to a café or restaurant.  

 

-N. Ziino, Local History Room Newsletter, April 2006

 

 

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