The original alignment of the Fairmount Avenue station dates back to the chartering of the Hackensack and New York Railroad in 1856 by David P. Patterson of Hillsdale and other local investors.

Construction on the new 21-mile (34 km) long line began in 1866, with trains heading from New York City to the Passaic Street station in Hackensack.

The service was extended northward to the community of Haverstraw, New York, and in 1896, the rail line was leased by the private company to the Erie Railroad.

By 1966,[1] the station building had been sold off by the Erie Railroad for private usage as Barbara's General Store and Gifts.

By 1980, during partial ownership between Conrail and New Jersey Transit, the Fairmount Avenue station remained as a part of the line,[7] but by the 1982 timetables, was removed from service.

The building was centered in the middle of Fairmount Park and had access from Temple Avenue, where crossing gates were visible.