[6] Stanwood was settled in the 1870s and in 1891 received its first station on the Seattle and Montana Railroad, which later merged into the Great Northern Railway.

[7][8] The station was located in the less flood-prone area one mile (1.6 km) east of the town, which was on the bank of the Stillaguamish River.

A new railway was constructed between the depot and Stanwood in 1904 by local businessman John W.

[1][9] The railway was operated by John W. Hall (1870–1931), his wife Alice and later their son Jesse.

The railroad ceased operations in 1938 because of the low traffic and the completion of new highways between the two towns.