The New York and Harlem Railroad built their main line through Martindale between 1848 and 1852, after community founder John Martin persuaded the railroad to run their line through the community.

The train station was originally opened in 1854,[3] when the line operated to Chatham, New York, and catered to a local community that had a substantial industry during the era of the NYCRR.

Some spectacular accidents in the early 20th century, led to a grade elimination project in 1929, the first within Columbia County.

In 1946, the station was demoted to a flag stop, and was bought by an employee of the Harlem Division in 1949, who dismantled the wooden depot and used the wood to build his house in Philmont.

Martindale provided commercial freight services until 1976, when the tracks north of Wassaic were dismantled.