[1] The main track through Suttons Bay was laid down in 1903 by the Traverse City, Leelanau, and Manistique Railroad, to access a Northport-Manistique car ferry.

[3] A siding was built a few years later;[2] however, the railway was immediately unsuccessful and the ferry was discontinued by 1908.

[3] The track section between Suttons Bay and Traverse City were used by the Leelanau Scenic Railroad between 1989 and 1995.

The Suttons Bay Railroad Depot is a single-story Arts-and-Crafts-inspired structure with a hip roof, built of rounded cobblestones.

[2] The roof overhangs widely on all sides of the building, sheltering the walls and the trackside platform.