Old Ironsides Rolls Into History

Imagine the excitement on November 23, 1832, when the ground literally shook beneath Norristown as "Old Ironsides" – one of America's first steam locomotives – rolled into town! This wasn't just any train; it was Matthias Baldwin's masterpiece that could reach the incredible speed of 28 mph, making the journey from Philadelphia in record time. The locals had never seen anything like it – this iron beast that could pull 30 tons with ease, forever changing how people thought about travel and commerce.

What started as Baldwin's "last locomotive" (he swore he'd never build another after all the headaches!) became the beginning of an empire that would produce over 70,000 locomotives worldwide. That first rumble down the Philadelphia, Germantown, and Norristown Railroad tracks marked the moment our little town became connected to the wider world in ways previous generations could never have imagined.

As we work to capture Norristown's incredible stories in our upcoming film, we're racing against time to document these historic moments before the remaining traces disappear forever. Help us create a lasting time capsule of our town's remarkable heritage – you can learn more about our project and contribute at https://wefunder.com/elmwoodpark.

Every contribution brings us closer to preserving these amazing chapters of American history for future generations to discover and celebrate.