the station probably opened as hamilton west on 22 march 1879, though in july 1879 it was said that it should take about a month to complete the extension. it only had 282 passengers in the year 1880/81 and closed on 19 february 1881. probably it was affected by delays in opening claudelands bridge. on 1 october 1884 the station reopened. it was renamed hamilton from 1899. in 1902 it was described as being, ""of wood and iron, and has a ladies' waiting room, a public lobby, stationmaster's room, a long passenger platform, and a large goods shed. four trains pass the station daily, each way"."