The David Baird Company was founded by Irish immigrant David Baird Sr. in 1878. A protege of William Joyce Sewell, David Baird Sr. found a great success in the lumber business, and after Sewell’s death in 1901, led the Republican party in Camden for many years. David Baird’s business was national in nature, as he had lumber operations in eight states and operated ship’s spar yards in five different cities.
When David Baird Sr. passed in 1927, his son, David Baird Jr. took control of the company.
Much of the business of the David Baird Company was in lumber used in ship and barge construction. When the demand for wooden ships began to fall off after 1935, and the increased use of reinforced steel in construction. business declined. David Baird Jr., who was more heavily involved in the insurance business as president of the Smith-Austermuhl Insurance Agency, closed the yard and sold off its assets in June of 1950.
The site of the Baird lumberyard was the location of the Campbell Field baseball stadium, built in 1999 and torn down by 2018.
Related Photos











Related Articles
-
David Baird Sr.
David Baird Sr. was one of Camden’s leading citizens for well over 50 years. Born in Ireland in on April 7th of 1839, he came to America in 1858 after the death of his father, and settled in Camden the following year.
-
Camden Industries
Various industries in Camden, circa 1929
-
David Baird Company
The David Baird Company was founded by Irish immigrant David Baird Sr. in 1878. A protege of William Joyce Sewell, David Baird Sr. found a great success in the lumber business, and after Sewell’s death in 1901, led the Republican party in Camden for many years.
-
David Baird, Jr.
David Baird Jr. was born in Camden NJ on October 18, 1881. His father, David Baird Sr., was one of Camden’s leading citizens for well over 50 years, an important man both in the business and political life of Camden, Camden County, and South Jersey.
-
David Baird Co. Closes Business After 72 Years
The David Baird Co., lumber dealers, a business which was started in Camden 72 years ago, has been discontinued.
Join the discussion!