One of the most famous landmarks in Ambler is the former First National Bank of Ambler. Even though there was a bank already existed (Ambler Savings Bank), there was a need for a bigger and more convenient bank for Ambler and outside the community.
Benjamin P. Wertsner, Founder and President
Benjamin P. Wertsner (1829-1916) was the son of George Wertsner (1796-1867), who moved to Whitpain in 1833 where he purchased 85 acres of land across from the Dawesfield estate. The land was originally part of the Dawesfield estate until George purchased it in 1845. When he turned 17, Benjamin took over his father's farm, and occupied the family farmstead after his father died. The estate became known as the Evergreen Farm.
Fun Fact # 1: Benjamin married Mary Gross, the daughter of General John E. Gross who fought in the War of 1812.
Establishing a Bank in a Developing Town
It all started in July 15, 1884 at the lot of George K. Knight. Sources say it was Benjamin P. Wertsner and William M. Singerly who "believed in the necessity of such an institution to aid the future growth of Ambler and relieve the vicinity from the inconvenience of traveling several miles to do its banking business."
The bank was first conducted on August 2, 1884 in a large room of the Sunnyside School building. It was that same year, on October 6, 1884, they built their own bank on Butler Avenue and Spring Garden Street where it currently stands. The construction of the building was $5,500.
The first officers and directors of the First National Bank of Ambler were...
Benjamin P. Wertsner, President
George K. Knight, Vice President
John J. Houghton, Cashier
David J. Ambler, Director
Joseph Haywood, Director
William C. Potts, Director
Thomas Atkinson, Director
Adam Hoover, Director
George K. Knight, Director
Benjamin P. Wertsner, Director
Allen Berkhimer, Director
Aaron Styer, Director
T.B. Geatrell, Director
Samuel Van Winkle, Director
Henry C. Biddle, Director
Benjamin K. Johnson, Director
Expanding the Bank
The bank began construction in 1923 at the same site of its original location on Butler Avenue and Spring Garden Street with the dimensions of 58 by 90 feet. The architect and builder responsible of the new bank building were locals of Montgomery County: James Bartleson of Ambler and John T. Brugger of Jenkintown.
"The structure marks a decided advance in the progress of this community as the new home of the bank provides all the needed financial facilities and in addition many conveniences for the patrons and friends of the institution."
- Ambler Gazette, November 8, 1923
The exterior walls were local stone (Lindenwold quarries) and Deer Isle granite from Maine. Over the front entrance displayed a wall clock that was controlled and operated from the Washington D.C. time bureau through the master clock in Ambler. Entering through the revolving door was the lobby where it was flooded with light from the skylight of tinted glass. The walls were made of Caen stone, wainscoted with Alaskan marble and mahogany. Columns were included inside the building that was also made of Alaskan marble. The floor was made of mezzanine.
The main vault was located on the first floor of the bank that can hold 2,000 safe deposit boxes. The walls had extra thickness with reinforced concrete, protected by electrical and burglar proof contrivances and steel lining. The steel door was 12 inches thick, and weighed 10 tons.
The doors opened on November 15, 1923.
Bibliography
"Ambler Bank Family Entertained." Ambler Gazette. November 4, 1926. Page 10. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_13474.
"Ambler Bank To Enlarge." Ambler Gazette. December 29, 1921. Page 3. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_10092.
"Ambler National Bank Is Chartered." Ambler Gazette. March 8, 1934. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_20250.
"Bank Building Is Inspected." Ambler Gazette. November 22, 1923. Page 9. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_13666.
Bean, Theodore Weber. History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Volume 1. (Philadelphia: Everts & Peck, 1884): 484-486.
"Dr. Mattison Is President." Ambler Gazette. January 21, 1904. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_2423.
"First National Bank Of Ambler." Ambler Gazette. November 8, 1923. Page 9. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_14321.
Herman, Andrew Mark. Eastern Montgomery County Revisited. (Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2005): 65.
Historic American Buildings Survey, Creator. First National Bank of Ambler, 30 East Butler Pike, Ambler, Montgomery County, PA. Pennsylvania Montgomery County Ambler, 1933. Documentation Compiled After. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/pa2984/.
Morris, William E, and Smith & Wistar. Map of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania: from original surveys. [Philadelphia: Smith & Wistar, 1849] Map. https://www.loc.gov/item/2012590207/.
Mueller, A. H. Atlas of the North Penn Section of Montgomery County, Pa., Plate 26, 1916.
"National Bank To Be Organized." Ambler Gazette. August 3, 1933. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_18550.
Philadelphia Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide, v. 36, n. 51 (1921): 820.
Philadelphia Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide, v. 37, n. 14 & 18 (1922): 225, 291.
Scott, J. D. Montgomery County 1877, Whitpain, Rahn Sta., Grater's Ford, 1877.
Scott, J.D. North Pennsylvania Railroad 1886 Philadelphia - Bucks - Montgomery Counties, Ambler, 1886.
"Will Plan Fine Structure." Ambler Gazette. January 20, 1910. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_6077.
"Whittock's Whitpain." Wissahickon Valley Historical Society. Accessed February 9, 2024. https://www.wvalleyhs.org/whittocks-whitpain/.
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