Mary Ambler: Heroine of the Great Train Wreck

On July 17, 1856, a horrific train wreck occurred near Ambler. Three cars piled up on the engine of the outbound train. The crash claimed 59 lived and injured almost 100 people, most of whom were among the 1000 passengers on the excursion train. Mary Ambler's home was located on the corner of Tennis Avenue and Main Street, where she allowed her home to be used a temporary hospital. Her heroic efforts to bring relief to the victims are still remembered today. She died in 1868, the following year the name of the train station was changed from Wissahickon to Ambler. When the town was incorporated in 1888, Ambler Borough was born. Today her homestead is privately owned. 

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