The line between Garforth and Castleford was opened by the North Eastern Railway (NER) on 12 August 1878.
The two intermediate stations on the line (Kippax and Ledstone) opened to passenger traffic at the same time (though goods had started in April 1878).
[1] The station was equipped with only one platform on the eastern side of the line (Kippax having the same arrangement).
[3] So it is believed that the station took its name from nearby Ledstone Hall, an estate a 1-mile (1.6 km) to the north-east.
[4] The station was laid out with a single track at the one platform; the entire line was without a passing loop.