Photo above is from the 400 block of Federal Street in approximately 1890.
Welcome to Camden History, unsurprisingly about Camden, New Jersey, a city steeped in history and brimming with stories that have left an indelible mark on the tapestry of America’s past. Situated on the banks of the Delaware River, Camden has a rich and complex history that spans centuries. From its indigenous Lenape inhabitants to the bustling industrial hub of the 19th and 20th centuries, and from its pivotal role in the Underground Railroad to its contributions to the birth of the recording industry, Camden has played a significant part in shaping the nation’s narrative.
Camden’s origins can be traced back to the early 17th century when European settlers first arrived in the region. Over time, it evolved from a quaint village into a thriving industrial center, earning it the nickname “The City Invincible” in the late 19th century. The city’s industries, including shipbuilding, manufacturing, and commerce, contributed to its growth and prosperity.
But Camden’s history is not just one of industry and commerce; it’s also a story of resilience, community, and cultural diversity. Throughout its past, the city has been home to waves of immigrants, each adding their unique traditions and flavors to the city’s vibrant cultural mosaic.
Join us on a journey through time as we explore the people, places, and events that have shaped Camden’s captivating history. From the waterfront to the neighborhoods, from famous figures to everyday citizens, we invite you to discover the hidden gems and untold tales that make Camden a city worth exploring and celebrating.
Whatever your interest, we invite you to join us, have a virtual coffee, subscribe to our email updates, and contribute your own insights.
Remnants of Camden’s history are all around you if you know where to look!
Latest Posts
- August J. Hiller
August Joseph Hiller Sr. was a prominent figure in Camden, New Jersey's German-American community during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was actively involved in organizations such as the Camden Liedertafel, the Turn Verein, and Ss. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church. Born in… Read more: August J. Hiller - Sitley and Son
Sitley & Son was established by Arthur M. Sitley and his son, Frank Budd Sitley. Originally farmers, the Sitleys recognized a business opportunity in Camden and began selling grain, feed, and farm equipment. In 1886, they acquired the business of Elias Kaighn, located at 128 Kaighn… Read more: Sitley and Son - Soroptimist ClubIn the years before television, Camden's social life was shaped significantly by its many active social, service, and fraternal organizations. While many of these groups have since disappeared, one notable example was the Soroptimist Club — later known as the Soroptimist Club of Camden County —… Read more: Soroptimist Club
- Josiah SageJosiah Sage was born in New Jersey in May 1862, according to the 1900 U.S. Census. His older sister, Hannah, married Charles Henry Peters in the late 1860s. By 1880, Sage was single and working as an oil cloth painter. Around 1882, he married Rose, and… Read more: Josiah Sage
- Clan Manufacturing CompanyThe Clan Manufacturing Company, a janitorial supply firm, was founded in Camden in 1921 by brothers John T. Clancy and James Clancy. The business originally operated at 565 Carman Street. By the late 1940s, the company had relocated to 310 Market Street, where it remained well… Read more: Clan Manufacturing Company
- Tiedeken Brother’s Auto Body
420 Carl Miller Blvd, Camden, NJ By 1876, the Tiedeken family had already put down roots in the Philadelphia area. Just across the Delaware River, in Camden, New Jersey, Theodore A. Tiedeken opened a small wagon-repair and blacksmith shop at 425 Van Hook Street. The shop's… Read more: Tiedeken Brother’s Auto Body - Old Ferries – Annals of Camden NJ
In this age of inventions, improvements and ever-changing modes of transportation, the ferry boat is still an important factor in carrying the traveller across that “goodly and noble” river which forms the boundary between the two Quaker Colonies of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, although founded… Read more: Old Ferries – Annals of Camden NJ - Coates StreetCoates Street was once a two-block street in Camden. It ran parallel to Broadway and South 5th Street, starting at Cherry Street and going north across Spruce Street to Division Street. Today, Coates Street is only one block long, from Spruce Street to Division Street. Many… Read more: Coates Street
- Coates AlleyCoates Alley, originally known as Daubman Alley, was a short one-block street in Camden that ran parallel to Broadway and South 5th Street, stretching from 510 Cherry Street south to 512 Walnut Street. It is often confused with Coates Street, which also runs parallel to those… Read more: Coates Alley
- Burns StreetBurns Street was part of Camden's historic “Poet's Row” neighborhood, a small cluster of streets named after famous English literary figures. This charming section, located north of Erie Street and running east-west from North 2nd Street, included Byron Street, Burns Street, and Milton Street. These streets… Read more: Burns Street
- Morse Street
Morse Street in East Camden was named after Henry G. Morse, founder and president of the New York Shipbuilding Corporation. This company played a major role in Camden's industrial development, and its shipyard at Broadway and Morgan Boulevard led to the creation of Yorkship Village in… Read more: Morse Street - Bernard BertmanBernard Bertman lived at 941 Broadway as late as 1936 and had his law offices in the Wilson Building at Broadway and Cooper Street. In the mid-1920s, he played an active role in the fundraising campaign that led to the construction of the Walt Whitman Hotel… Read more: Bernard Bertman