The Amtrak station in St. Joseph station was constructed for the Pere Marquette Railroad (succeeded by CSXT) in 1913 on the shore of Lake Michigan and stands opposite the Silver Beach County Park. Its large covered platform, extending to either side of the main building, was likely built to handle heavy summer traffic to and from lakeside resorts. This stucco and wooden structure features a gabled roof and central clerestory windows. The small waiting room occupies a part of one side of the station today, while the rest is occupied by Silver Beach Pizza.

The city of St. Joseph purchased the station from the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad in 1986 for $10,000. Between 1971, when Amtrak began, and 1984, when Amtrak’s Pere Marquette service began, the station stood unused. The city undertook general building renovations including plumbing, heating, and air conditioning, electrical repairs and upgrades, surface repair and painting, the installation of new windows, a new roof system and a parking expansion. The renovation was undertaken to make the property functional again with the aim of bringing in a commercial tenant. It was not a historical renovation.

In consideration for the city committing to operate the renovated facility as a terminal for 20 years following the project completion, a dedicated waiting area was constructed as part of the renovation. The entire project began in 1988 and was completed in mid-1989.

The renovation cost approximately $352,000 and was funded in part by the Michigan Department of Transportation. The state contribution was $140, 000, and the remaining costs were funded by the city’s Lakefront Tax Increment Finance Authority.

Since the renovation, several restaurants have operated in the station and its current occupant has been in the station since 2005. This restaurant conducted significant renovation and redecoration of the facility; most of the visible work, except for the windows, has been theirs.