Ambridge, like other neighborhoods in the Pittsburgh region, is no stranger to the touch of history. With its 19th century Harmony Society roots showing in Old Economy Village and a groundbreaking brownfield development on the horizon, this Ohio Valley community continues to blur the lines between past and present. New businesses, landmark architecture, and mill town character make Ambridge a diverse place emblematic of regional life.

The Borough of Ambridge sits in Beaver County, northwest of the City of Pittsburgh, and is the first community outside of Allegheny County on the eastern bank of the Ohio River. In 1824, the Harmony Society, a utopian community founded by George Rapp, formed the first settlement "Oekonomie" on the present site of Ambridge. By the early 20th century, the settlement had declined, and the Society sold off much of its land to the American Bridge Company for its company town "Ambridge". American Bridge's mills manufactured steel for buildings and bridges worldwide until 1983, when they closed in the regional steel collapse. Today, Ambridge's economic landscape, including its main commercial corridor along Merchant Street, is in a state of transition, adapting to new arrivals in professional services and light industry.

Part of this transformation is a massive mixed-use brownfield redevelopment in the community's core. Australian developer Rob Moltoni is pioneering this effort with the creation of The Bridges Village and New Economy Business Park. This development will combine new residential, commercial, and light industrial space over 60 acres. Ambridge Borough Manager Kristen Denne says this new development has the potential to transform Ambridge into a retail and entertainment destination. Future spaces are being designed in the shell of former industrial buildings to recall the buzzing markets of Pittsburgh's Strip District neighborhood.

Old Economy Village, a grouping of 17 original Harmonist buildings, is already a major destination in Ambridge. The Village sits within Ambridge's National Historic Landmark District, one of only a few such districts in Pennsylvania and the country, according to Site Director Mary Ann Landis. Many residents of the region may remember Old Economy from their grade school days for its memorable school tour programs. Throughout the year, visitors and their families travel from all over the world to visit this site, which contains examples of architecture found nowhere else in the United States. Old Economy Village is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

A newer business, the Silk House Cafe represents the growing interest of new enterprises in Ambridge. Owner Cindy Bologna-Ridge grew up in Ambridge, and she recognized an opportunity for a community gathering place near Old Economy. She seized the opportunity to renovate the former silk manufacturing building, receiving facade rehabilitation support from the Beaver County Main Street Initiative. Since the cafe's opening in 2005, Bologna-Ridge has seen renewed interest in the area's real estate, and a stronger sense of community and support as townspeople gather in the newly renovated space. When you stop by for coffee and lunch, check out photos of the cafe before its transformation.

Ambridge residents are proud of their home, and celebrate with many community events, including its annual Church Tour, a car cruise, music in the park, and the Nationality Days festival held every May. Homemade pierogies are available at several churches on Fridays. The most popular fillings of this regionally iconic cuisine can sell by 10 a.m., unless you know someone working in the kitchen. Local lore also claims that religious services are given in up to 15 dialects every weekend. In Ambridge, pride is even wearable - Borough Manager Kristen Denne proved it with a Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry t-shirt reading "Love Ambridge."

Featured Organizations

Ambridge Area Chamber of Commerce's "Agenda for the Future" is to work as a team with the business, professional, community, and government leaders to effect positive economic growth in Ambridge and its surrounding communities.

Ambridge Historic District Economic Development Board promotes education and opportunity for economic growth and business incubation in the historic district.

Ambridge Regional Distribution & Manufacturing Center, owned by Value Properties, Inc., is one of Beaver County's largest industrial business parks, which offers warehouse, distribution, office, lab, and storage space for lease.

Old Economy Village interprets the history of the Harmony Society, a highly successful 19th century religious communal society, and preserves and interprets the unique material culture of the Society during its period of residence in Beaver County, Pennsylvania for citizens of and visitors to the Commonwealth.

Links

Ambridge Area Chamber of Commerce

Ambridge Regional Distribution & Manufacturing Center

Borough of Ambridge

Old Economy Village

Silk House Cafe

Town Center Associates: Downtown Ambridge

Thanks to Cindy Bologna-Ridge, Mike Bort, Kristen Denne, Brian Hayden, Connie Kovolenko, Mary Ann Landis, Debi Leopardi, Gene Pash, Bea Patterson, Mary Ellen Petro, and Joe Zemba for their assistance with this article.

Nationality Days festival
on Merchant Street
(courtesy of Town Center Associates)

Church at Old Economy Village

Preserved structures at Old Economy Village on Church Street

Former American Bridge headquarters
on Park Road

Architect's rendering of New Economy Business Park

Possible site plan for the Bridges Village

Silk House Cafe on 14th Street

Laughlin Memorial Library on 11th Street

Ambridge Area High School on Duss Avenue in Jan. 2007 - slated to be demolished after 2006-2007 school year