Erected for the opening of the Peel Line in 1873 the original station building was a far simpler affair than the imposing red brick edifice associated with the terminus today.  It was a simple timber construction with corrugated iron roof and was similar to the buildings along the Peel Line, especially that at Peel itself.  The smaller versions at Crosby and St. John's (both of which lasted until the line's closure in 1968 and beyond) were similar but smaller affairs.  As the railway expanded to the south and later amalgamated with the Manx Northern and Foxdale Railway the building was deemed to be too small and removed.