The construction of the Boonton Branch began on February 22, 1866 at a groundbreaking on the Denville section of Rockaway Township. This would be a new branch of tracks between Ketchams Switch and Boonton. The very first passenger train to Boonton came on September 5, 1867, going to New York City at 6:45 a.m. The first freight train was two weeks later, a coal train to a local mill.[10] Boonton was the location of several iron mills and freight trains often brought supplies to the mills.[11] The new branch was a creation of J.C. Lord, a partial owner of the Boonton Works and a director for the Morris and Essex Railroad.[12]
In 1869, the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad began construction of the Boonton, Paterson and New York Branch, which would extend the Boonton Branch to the Hudson River via Paterson, providing a new branch shorter than the nearby Erie Railroad. The extension would also add a second track to the branch and offer more freight service. By August 1869, the construction in Boonton had been completed, including the tough section of the tidewaters, along with 1 mile (1.6 km) south of that section.[13] Extension of coal train service in September 1870 and passenger service began on December 14, 1870.[14]
Station layout and services
Boonton station contains a single low-level side platform, located under the bridge of Main Street (County Route 511). The station contains a single brick shelter, which contains the single ticket vending machine. Bicycle racks are located on the platform behind the brick shelter. Boonton station contains a single parking lot, which contains 58 spaces, three of which are accessible for handicapped persons. The town of Boonton maintains the lot, which is paid parking until 7:00 p.m. Monday–Saturday.[15]
The station does not have service on weekends except during holidays. Bus connections are available to NJ Transit's 871 service and Lakeland Bus Lines's 46 service.[16]
Commons Italics denote closed stations, stations under construction, and unused line segments. Stations north of Montvale are operated by Metro-North Railroad
