Northern Central Railroad
North of the Hollins Station in the “Area” of what is now Lake Roland Park. The Mta Light Rail goes by the General Area. The actual station is long gone. The next station North was the Lake Station. There is a great book entitled ” Green Spring Accommodation” regarding many of the old stations in the Greenspring Valley area. A 1950 article listed Brightside as a flag stop which served three families and had not been used for years.
In 1875, the name “Brightside was mentioned in an article in the newspaper.
In 1876, there was an article about a musical festival at Brightside, where people could sail out on the lake and enjoy the environment.
Real Estate ads began to pop up by 1877, and Brightside was mentioned as along the Northern Central Railroad at ” Roland ” Station. Brightside was also listed as a Summer Resort.
In 1896 , an article talks about the development of Brightside Avenue, which would lead from Joppa Road to the station along the banks of Lake Roland. 1898 found an article telling of the slow construction of the road. Brightside Avenue is still there but the station it was built to serve is long gone.
By 1897, articles complaining about ” Tramps” overtaking the area were found, but said “Tramps” sleeping at night at the Brightside Station. There was also a train accident near the Brightside station that year.
in 1901, three men were arrested at Brightside Station for breaking out lights at the station.
1907 saw another wreck of a freight train near the station.
By 1921, the station was closed due to a lack of revenue being made by the stop.
1924, another train wreck near the station, which by now had closed it’s doors.
1930, an article talks about how residents of the Brightside area were going by the reference of “near Ruxton Station”, as the area was losing it’s identity.