Ambler: The Little Town that Could

Table for Two, Bridgette's, Ambler, PA

There was a time when 

I had no interest in Ambler - 

the suburban town near where I live.  

That was 1991. 

Trax Cafe, Ambler, PA

But somewhere between 1991 and today
Ambler re-invented itself.


Art in the Storefront, The Old Ambler Department Store

Introduce
salons
 music
theater
and food...
lots of food
and wine.

Ambler Theater, Ambler, PA 

And now Ambler is quite a hot little spot 

in the Philly suburban scene. 

Coming Home, Ambler Train Station, Ambler, PA

It's a town that has successfully reinvented itself.
Today, you'll find me there pretty much weekly. 

Let's Get This Party Started

Blue Waters

performing at The Villa

Ambler, PA

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All images by Rebecca Haegele have been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Click on any image to go to its gallery for purchasing information.

With Purpose

Good: American Diabetes Association 

Random: 3, 12, 35, 63 or 100 mile courses  

Fun: Tour de Cure 

Gallery

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Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Country House 

If you have hung around here any length of time
you likely know:

I love history.
I love architecture.
I love old buildings.
I love photographing abandoned buildings.
And...
it breaks my heart
when old beauties are torn down.


The Painter's Gone Fishing

Fifteen years ago when Temple University bought
this old lady in Ambler it was in excellent condition outside.
But left to the elements
without care
it now shows the signs of its forgotten state.


Echos of History

When I look at this house
I see what it once was
and what it could be again with a little lovin'.


The Homewrecker 

Morning tea on the wrap around porch.
Warm breezes blowing through the windows.
Happy feet running on the hardwood floors.

Dreamy Breakfast Nook 

And holding a hot cup of tea while watching
falling snow through the vintage window panes.

Another One Bites the Dust

I'll fix a hot cup of tea and watch more snow fall today, 

but not through vintage window panes.  

Yep, more snow is on its way. 

Will someone please tell old man winter 

this is his season off?! 

The evening after I took these photos

the home was used as a practice site for the local fire department.  

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A Walk Down Lindenwald Terrace

Winter View
Lindenwald Ave., Ambler, PA

There's a street
I love to walk down;
 I find it dreamy.


#1 Lindenwald Terrace

It is tucked away in a little suburban town,
and when I am there I forget suburbia exists.
Instead, I am captivated with the homes.


#5 Lindenwald Terrace

For me it has to do with the
 architectural detail and history.
I'm such a sucker for those two combined.
They'll get me every time.

The Mattison Castle
Ambler, PA 
Now home of The Villa, previously St. Mary's Villa, 
provider of services for abused and neglected youth.

The place: Lindenwald Terrace, Ambler, PA
The history: Keasbey and Mattison Co.


#3 Lindenwald Terrace

In 1881, Keasbey and Mattison Co. moved to Ambler, PA.
This had a huge impact on the development of Ambler:
they were the main employer;
Mattison built a castle like home he named Lindenwold;
and homes for their executives and employees.
These homes all share a distinctive architectural style
and define the homes in most of Ambler.







#8 Lindenwald Terrace
(Blogger is giving me formatting headaches here.)

What made this company successful
was also an unknown curse in the making.
Mattison discovered how to make asbestos stick to piping
by mixing it with milk of magnesia.
The company became a major asbestos manufacturer
and left Ambler with a Superfund Site in their aftermath.
But Mattison was long gone by the time
the dangers of asbestos became known.


#4 Lindenwald Terrace

Much of the asbestos has been treated,
but you can still find areas in town fenced off with warning signs.
I am much happy dreaming about Lindenwold Ave.,
than thinking about the asbestos issues.


#6 Lindenwald Terrace

I love this place
 and have posted previously:
Behind the Castle Walls,  photos of Lindenwold Castle interior.
Lindenwald Terrace in Winter

I'll be touring the castle again shortly
and will have new photos to share.
The property is for sale
and I want to capture the beauty before it is ruined developed.

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