On June 1, 1853, the Charles River Branch Railroad was extended from Newton Upper Falls into Needham as the first stage of a line to Dover and beyond.

[1] The railroad was not able to follow its original plan to go through the East Village, Needham's historical center, because one landowner refused to sell; instead, it was routed to Great Plain station in Great Plain Village further to the east.

[1] The MBTA bought Penn Central's southside commuter rail assets, including the Needham Line, on January 27, 1973.

A mini-high platform was added during the closure, making Needham Center fully accessible.

[6] The MBTA acquired a brick structure next to the remaining part of the station building in 1991 for use as a waiting room.