The station opened in 1919 as part of an extension of the Pelham Line of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company, and had its platforms extended in the 1960s.

This station opened on January 7, 1919, as part of an extension of the Pelham Line from Third Avenue–138th Street to Hunts Point Avenue by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT).

[2] Both platforms were extended at the east (railroad north) end in the 1960s to accommodate the current standard length of an IRT train (514 feet (157 m)).

The extensions are noticeable as they are narrower than the rest of the platforms, have no columns, and the trim line is blue with "E 143RD ST" in white sans serif font.

Dark blue i-beam columns run along the platforms at regular intervals with every other one having the standard black name plate with white lettering.