Memories of Auburn Street

I remember joyful days visiting Auburn St. frequently in 1957 and 1958. I was about ten years old. Spent time there other years but 57 and 58 were most memorable. Used to visit my Aunt Edna and Uncle Harry Bryant. Spent many days just hanging out on the front step, played outdoor games and Monopoly in the evening. What a gossip mill! You may think today’s e-mail is fast but the gossip passed from one end of the street to the other seemingly at the speed of light. Every one it seemed sat out-front on the steps or porch, if you were lucky. Tragedy struck about 1958, Uncle Harry passed. It happened at work in the Camden Rail Yards, totally unexpected. Left Aunt Edna and Cousin Evelyn and George on their own. No big life-insurance policies in those days. George left home to marry and stayed in Camden at least 25 to 30 years in Fairview. Aunt Edna and Evelyn moved to the Fairview section and lived there until passing. Bryant family were faithful Camden residents. The kind of people who are the backbone of any city. May they rest in peace.

— Eli Conaghy Jr., October 19, 2009

Auburn Street (1 block between Broadway and South 6th) is now a parking lot on the South side and the back of the houses on Benson Street is on north side.

— Craig Campbell, November 2005