Original owner: Boston & Maine Railroad

Themes: architectural, community development, transportation

June 23, 1882 Andover Advertiser pg. 3 - The B & M. Railroad Co. are greatly improving the depot at Ballardvale. The long station is to be cut in two parts. One half is to be placed on a new cellar in the northwest corner of the premises of the company and fitted up as a residence for the station agent. The other half will be moved back a rod or two from the track and used for a passenger station. A freight depot is to be built on the opposite side of the track.

This home was originally one half of Ballardvale's second railroad station. When the old Andover & Wilmington railroad was absorbed by Boston & Maine Railroad the tracks and line was relocated to the current route in 1847 to accommodate both Ballardvale and the new city of Lawrence. The first train station was the Andover Wilmington RR depot located at Andover St.

The Hall over passenger station was used by Methodists and later the Catholic services until other venues of church buildings were made available. The hall also served as a gathering place for meetings of various organizations, lectures, Punch & Judy shows, stereopticon lectures etc. Meetings of the Good Templars and other activities were also held in the hall.

In 1882 the depot building was cut in half and this section was moved across the tracks and sited here. It became the home of the station attendant.