Originally called Rockport and located on the Ouachita ("WASH-i-tah") River, the town moved lock, stock and barrel to trackside and changed its name to Malvern Station when it became clear that railroads were replacing riverboats. In the 1870s, Malvern was the connecting point for passengers boarding the famous "Diamond Jo" narrow-gauge railway to the resort city of Hot Springs. Careful observers may catch a glimpse of the former steam locomotive "roundhouse" on the north side of the tracks, the last such structure in Arkansas.

Amtrak's station is located in the south end of the former Missouri Pacific depot at Malvern. This is an unstaffed station; the waiting area is a lighted, three-sided shelter (no heat, air conditioning or restrooms). A public pay telephone is available outside the shelter.