On December 22, 1869, the construction of the railway from Kozlov to Tambov, spanning 74 versts, and the station building in Tambov, which was laid on July 1 of the previous year, was completed. The main contractor for the construction was a joint-stock company.

Typically, identical stations with tall clock towers on the main and end facades were built along a railway line. The central part of the Tambov station was two stories and included a vestibule and ticket offices, while the one-story side wings housed waiting rooms. Clock towers were located on the northern and southern end facades.

The station served as the first building from which one began to get acquainted with Tambov. In pre-revolutionary photographs, it can be seen that its composition resembled a fortress: the facade facing the railway imitated stone walls and towers, referencing the history of the fortress city. Subsequently, due to additions, this expressive image and many architectural details were lost.