Harbor station opened in December 1977 to serve a new apartment complex (now The Heights at Cape Ann) located on a bluff above the tracks.

[2][1] Several short turn trains (which had formerly terminated at Manchester but ran to an interlocking just west of Gloucester to switch tracks for the inbound journey) were extended to Harbor at that time.

[2] On January 30, 1981, service to nearby West Gloucester was discontinued during a round of budget cuts, leaving Harbor as the only station serving the area.

A shuttle train continued to operate from Rockport to Beverly until January 7, 1985, when it was replaced by bus service.

[1] Harbor station consisted of a small shelter with no platforms; passengers boarded from a clearing next to the tracks.