Technically I live in Maple Glen,
but my post office is Ambler.
Ambler is a town,
Maple Glen is suburban developments.
Ambler was originally called
The Village of Wissahickon.
The original name is still prevalent locally
Wissahickon School District
Wissahickon Library
Wissahickon Fire Co
Wissahickon Creek
and so on...
The name change is credited to a brave young woman named
Mary Johnson Ambler,
who in 1856 assisted with
A tragic story of picnickers from the city
en route to enjoy some fresh country air
and hitting another train head on.
But the train station is at the other end of town.
We are on the east end of town now,
by my favorite street called Lindenwald Avenue.
I wrote about Lindenwald Avenue
here.
Let's stroll west past the Ambler Savings Bank on the right
Past Borough Hall on the left.
And we arrive at one of the architectural highlights of Ambler,
the Ambler Theater. I wrote about the theater
here.
As we continue our walk we pass by some small shops.
And I love the ones with quaint signs.
The shoe repair man
was decorating his window for Christmas and waved to me.
Charming.
Ambler also offers Arts and Beauty...
As we make our way West
be sure to notice the recently restored Grand Ambler Hotel,
now an Irish Pub.
As we get closer to the train station
we arrive at Main Street,
but Main Street isn't main street anymore,
Butler Pike is main street now.
But located around the corner on Main Street is one of my favorite places,
so we will just have to take a little detour.
You might be surprised that one of my favorite places is a Hardware Store!
But this Hardware Store is 100 years old.
And when you go inside the floors creek
and the place screams history!
Decks still offers personalized service.
You can go in with an idea of what you want to do,
take a number if it is busy,
and the staff will gladly help you figure out what you need and how to accomplish it.
Now THAT is service!
No wonder they have been in business for 100 years.
Here's to another 100 years!
Around the corner,
and now we have come to the train station.
This is 2 miles from my home
and where my husband comes every morning
to commute to Center City Philly.
Which is exactly
why we live
where we live...
So my sweetheart can get to work easily
without us having to live in the city.
A 20 minute express gets him where he needs to be.
Much of Ambler's history is related to the railway.
This old asbestos factory located along the RR
is the reason for so many homes of the Victorian style.
And also why Ambler was named a Superfund Site.
I wrote about that in
Ambler's Dirty Little Secret.
But the Superfund clean up continues...
And if you are so inclined you can buy a home on
what was previously a Superfund Site.
And finally, just beyond this bridge on the West Side of town
is
Ambler's Best Kept Secret.
Our tour of Main Street Ambler - Butler Pike, is over,
and it is Thanksgiving
and it is snowing!
It is just magical.
Happy Thanksgiving.
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