In 1900s, like most areas in the
West Coast Division; vast area of Melalap was once planted with
rubber trees. A railway extension line to Melalap was then constructed by English engineer
Arthur J. West using labourers from
China comprising mostly
Hakka people. The line was completed in 1906 to transport the produce of
North Borneo as well for people to travel to major towns. The line was opened along with other lines on 1 August 1914. The station began to deteriorate and covered with bush since then as nothing been done despite some attempts by certain quarters to save it due to lack in financial funding and support. This was added with the help of funding from bigger companies and other parties who also contribute to the fundraising to save the station. On 9 March 2017, the station was gazetted as part of the historical sites of the modern state of Sabah by the state government. On 23 February 2018, it is one of 24 heritage sites in the state that were gazetted by Sabah's State Heritage Council under new enactment of "State Heritage Enactment 2017".
Collapsed The building suddenly collapsed on 22 April 2018 as no reinforcement work had been undertaken to stabilise the structure despite having been gazetted a month before. == References ==