Huntington Station (LIRR station)

Huntington Station (LIRR station) is a major station and transportation hub on the Long Island Rail Road's Port Jefferson Branch. Located in the Huntington hamlet within the Town of Huntington on Long Island, it serves as a critical commuter rail stop for Suffolk County. The station features a historic depot building and is a primary transfer point for numerous local bus routes operated by Suffolk County Transit.

History

The station's history is deeply intertwined with the expansion of the Long Island Rail Road north from Hicksville. Service to Huntington began in 1867 when the New York and Flushing Railroad extended its line, which was soon acquired by the LIRR. The original wooden station was replaced by the current substantial brick and stone Richardsonian Romanesque structure, designed by architect Stanford White of the renowned firm McKim, Mead & White, and completed in 1889. For decades, Huntington was also the terminus of the defunct Whitestone Branch, which provided service to Whitestone, Queens until its abandonment in 1932. The station and its surrounding commercial district were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009 as part of the Huntington Village Historic District.

Station layout

The station complex is centered around the historic two-story depot building situated between the tracks. The building houses a waiting area, ticket office, and commercial spaces. The station has two low-level side platforms, each approximately 10 cars long, serving the branch's two main tracks. Platform A is adjacent to the north track for westbound service toward New York City via Jamaica, while Platform B serves the south track for eastbound trains to Port Jefferson and Cold Spring Harbor. The station is fully accessible, with ramps leading to both platforms from the station building and parking areas. Parking is provided in several Town of Huntington-operated lots surrounding the station.

Services

Huntington is a key stop on the Port Jefferson Branch, with frequent service, especially during peak commuting hours. Most westbound trains travel to Penn Station or Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, with some requiring a transfer at Jamaica. Eastbound service terminates at either Port Jefferson or Cold Spring Harbor. The station is located in Zone 9, and it is a major origin point for commuters. Service patterns are modified during special events, track work, and on weekends, often involving busing or shuttle trains for portions of the branch east of Huntington.

Connections

Huntington Station functions as a primary multimodal hub for central Suffolk County. It is a major transfer point for Suffolk County Transit bus routes, including the S1, S20, S23, S29, S31, and S40, which provide connections to locations such as Babylon, Smith Haven Mall, Walt Whitman Shops, South Huntington, and Northport. Several private bus carriers and paratransit services also utilize the station's bus plaza. The station is adjacent to New York State Route 110, a major commercial corridor, and is within walking distance of Huntington Village's business district.

In popular culture

The station and its iconic Stanford White-designed building have appeared as a backdrop in several films and television shows set on Long Island. Its classic railroad architecture has made it a recognizable location for scenes depicting suburban New York City commuter life. The station is also frequently referenced in local Long Island media, including Newsday, in coverage of transportation and development issues in Suffolk County.

Category:Railway stations in Suffolk County, New York Category:Railway stations on the National Register of Historic Places in New York (state)