As of October 18, 2023, SEPTA's plan to demolish the Ambler Freight Station, on the outbound side of the train tracks, was temporarily postponed due to public opposition. According to sources, SEPTA planned to demolish the structure due to its deterioration while the agency reviewed plans with the Wissahickon Valley Historical Society to move or relocate the old freight station.
History
The North Pennsylvania Railroad was established in 1855 that opened many stations outside of Philadelphia in places like Ambler, Penllyn, and Gwynedd. There were three stations built on the north side of Butler Avenue: the main station (today La Provence), the outbound secondary station (former location of the Bussinger Trains & Toys! store), and the freight station.
Out of the three, the freight station was the oldest and smallest building to exist. According to Tom Heard of the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), the freight station was considered the original train station for the NPRR. On July 20, 1869, it was removed and placed on the east side of the railroad. The freight station was renovated and improved over the years.
By definition, freight stations were known as "goods stations" where produce and goods were exclusively transported to local stations.
Saving the Ambler Stations
Ever since SEPTA was established, the agency became the owner of the Ambler station buildings surrounding the train tracks. The old train stations are being protected by Bernadette Dougherty, who has been involved in the movement since 1979. With the help from the Wissahickon Valley Historical Society, she saved the old main station that was turned into a French restaurant we know today. The initial plan was to demolish the old main station and turn the lot into a parking lot. At one point the old freight station was used as a balloon shop owned by Bernadette.
Thank you, Bernadette, for your great contributions to saving and preserving Ambler's history!
Bibliography
Cooper, Kenny. "SEPTA’s plan to demolish historic Ambler Freight House delayed — for now." WHYY. Last modified October 19, 2023. https://whyy.org/articles/septa-ambler-freight-house-plan-demolish-delay/.
Frost, Michael. "Op-Ed: Saving the Town that Asbestos Built." Hidden City Philadelphia. Last modified February 2, 2023. https://hiddencityphila.org/2023/02/op-ed-saving-the-town-that-asbestos-built/.
"Google Maps Area Calculator Tool." DaftLogic. Accessed October 24, 2023. https://www.daftlogic.com/projects-google-maps-area-calculator-tool.htm.
Historic American Buildings Survey, Creator. Ambler Railroad Station, Freight Station, North side of Butler Avenue, east & west of Reading Railroad tracks, Ambler, Montgomery County, PA. Pennsylvania Montgomery County Ambler, 1933. Documentation Compiled After. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/pa3263/.
Historic American Buildings Survey, Creator. Ambler Railroad Station, Main Station, North side of Butler Avenue, east & west of Reading Railroad tracks, Ambler, Montgomery County, PA. Pennsylvania Montgomery County Ambler, 1933. Documentation Compiled After. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/pa3008/.
Historic American Buildings Survey, Creator. Ambler Railroad Station, North side of Butler Avenue, east & west of Reading Railroad tracks, Ambler, Montgomery County, PA. Pennsylvania Montgomery County Ambler, 1933. Documentation Compiled After. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/pa3287/.
Historic American Buildings Survey, Creator. Ambler Railroad Station, Outbound Secondary Station, North side of Butler Avenue, east & west of Reading Railroad tracks, Ambler, Montgomery County, PA. Pennsylvania Montgomery County Ambler, 1933. Documentation Compiled After. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/pa3262/.
Mueller, A. H. Atlas of the North Penn Section of Montgomery County, Pa., Plate 26, 1916.
"New Station For Ambler." Ambler Gazette. February 2, 1911. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_10744.
Quattrone, Frank D. Ambler. (Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2004): 19.
Tierney, Kevin. "Effort to save Freight Station in Ambler from wrecking ball." Around Ambler. Last modified October 12, 2023. https://aroundambler.com/effort-to-save-freight-station-in-ambler-from-wrecking-ball/.
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