The station catered to a local community that had a substantial industry during the era of the NYCRR, and, earlier, the New York and Harlem Railroad.

The line was eventually taken over by the New York Central Railroad (NYCRR), and provided both passenger and freight train service.

Ghent was the station that served both the Harlem Division and the former Boston and Albany Railroad Hudson Branch.

[4] It also included a hotel named The Bartlett House, which was built in 1870 and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since May 8, 2012.

[2] Ghent provided commercial freight-only service, and even became a terminus for freight when Conrail acquired the line in 1976 and eliminated it between here and Millerton station in Dutchess County.