In 1881, surveyors from the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad sought to establish an eastern route from New Orleans across Lake Pontchartrain. They worked through the wetlands of East New Orleans, crossed the lake, and traversed the marshes, swamps, and woods of the North Shore, finally arriving at the “first high ground” on the lake’s north side. The railroad company secured 70 acres near what was then called Robert’s Landing, turning it into construction headquarters with offices, industrial plants, a depot, and a work camp.

In 1882, the N.O.N.E. Railroad erected the original wooden station at this site. It housed the first post office, telegraph line, and telephone line in the area. By 1883, state civil engineers had surveyed the land east of the rail line and laid out the streets that would become the Town of Slidell.

On October 15, 1883, the inaugural passenger train departed New Orleans, headed northeast across Lake Pontchartrain via a newly built railroad bridge. On board were Baron Frédéric Émile von d’Erlanger—a prominent German banker and major N.O.N.E. financier—and his wife, Baroness Marguerite Slidell d’Erlanger. After crossing the lake, the train’s first stop was at this station, which the Baron named “Slidell Depot” in honor of his late father-in-law, John Slidell. When residents incorporated in 1888, they adopted the depot’s name for their new town.

In 1913, a sturdier brick station replaced the original wooden building. By 1916, the Norfolk Southern Railroad had acquired the N.O.N.E. line, later merging it into the Southern Railway System. In October 1996, Norfolk Southern donated the station to the City of Slidell; following renovations, it was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places for its pivotal role in transportation history.