The station opened on 30 April 1894, as a northern extension from Alexandra Dock with a total cost of £10,000.

[3] With the LOR's second northern extension to Seaforth & Litherland on 2 July 1905, a 'through' station was built alongside the terminus.

[3] The original terminus platforms remained in use until 1925 when they were demolished and replaced by a large carriage shed.

The weight gauge meant that while LOR trains could operate on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway electrified network, the reverse was not true.

[4] Fifty firemen fought the fire, which consumed two trains and damaged the station buildings, bringing it under control within an hour.