Camden, New Jersey

Camden History

Historical archives documenting the people, streets, and stories of Camden, New Jersey.

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.

Remnants of Camden's history are all around you if you know where to look!

Recently added — page 11

Personnel Card — George W. Meriwether, Camden Fire Bureau
People

George W. Meriwether

George W. Meriwether (1925–1992) was a Camden firefighter appointed to the Camden Fire Department on June 27, 1960; he served with Engine Company 8 and Ladder Company 3 in East Camden before retiring on pension August 1, 1985.

·1 min read
George and Mary Ann McKenna Engel wedding day
Historical Accounts

The Engel Family of Camden, NJ

History of the Engel family of Camden — Julius and Mary Engel, immigrants from Slovakia and Hungary who settled in South Camden, and their son Frank Engel, who shot and wounded Howard Unruh during the 1949 Cramer Hill "Walk of Death."

·15 min read
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 10th & Mechanic Streets, Camden, NJ. Postcard.
Religion

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church (Polish)

St. Joseph's Parish, the Polish Roman Catholic church of Camden's Whitman Park, began in 1891; its Baroque-style church at 10th and Mechanic Streets, designed by George I. Lovatt and consecrated in May 1914, is on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Sites.

·4 min read
Hook and Ladder Company 3, Hose and Chemical Company 1, and Engine Company 9 group photo, 1924
Fire Department

Engine Company 9

Engine Company 9 was organized as Hose Company 1 on March 1, 1900 at the new firehouse at North 27th and Federal Street in East Camden, reorganized as Hose and Chemical Company 1 in 1914 and as Engine Company 9 in 1922, and has remained continuously at 27th and Federal Street, sharing quarters with Ladder Company 3.

·5 min read
Voter Registrations Challenged at Carroll's Saloon, Philadelphia Inquirer, October 29, 1893
People

John H. Carroll

John H. Carroll (1861–1932) operated Carroll's Hotel and saloon at South 3rd and Cherry streets in Camden, ran a horse-and-wagon stable and an excavating business that graded Yorkship Village, and was a longtime Fifth Ward Republican committeeman.

·6 min read
Monsignor Arthur B. Strenski
People

Monsignor Arthur B. Strenski

Biography of Monsignor Arthur B. Strenski, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Camden who established the parish cemetery, St. Mary's Home for the Aged, and St. Joseph High School.

·10 min read
Notice of Application, Vasco's Cafe, 713 South Third Street, Camden Courier-Post, June 11, 1966
Streets

Braxton Walk

Braxton Walk is in the Crescent Gardens development at the southern end of Camden's Fairview section, built between 1924 and 1942, and named for Carter Braxton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

·1 min read
Mr. and Mrs. Burkhard Buenzle, Camden Courier-Post, February 9, 1928
People

Burkhardt L. Buenzle

Burkhardt Leodegar Buenzle (1857–1931), a Swiss immigrant who settled at 1144 North 24th Street in the Cramer Hill section of Camden, was active in the German-American community of the former Stockton borough in the late 19th century.

·1 min read
Leon J. Johnson
People

Leon J. Johnson

Leon J. Johnson (1935–2017) was a Camden firefighter who served the Camden Fire Department for over 28 years, from 1969 to 1997.

·3 min read
Howard Gick, 1931
People

Howard L. Gick

Howard Lambert Gick (1895–1968) joined the Camden Fire Department in 1923, served until his retirement as District Chief in 1956, and later worked as Fire Inspector at Garden State Racetrack.

·2 min read
Ensign Hilding Iver Wahl, U.S. Navy
People

Hilding Iver Wahl

Ensign Hilding Iver Wahl of the U.S. Navy, USS Abner Read DD-526, was mortally wounded on August 18, 1943 when his destroyer struck a mine off Kiska in the Aleutian Islands and died of his injuries on August 28, 1943. He had lived at 1140 North 24th Street in Camden and is buried at Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, New Jersey.

·2 min read
Newspaper portrait of an older man with a mustache and bow tie, under the headline "P.R.R. Veteran Dies".
People

Charles H. Truitt

Charles H. Truitt (1859-1936) was a Camden native who worked 53 years for the Pennsylvania Railroad as a tugboat fireman and ferry engineer on the Delaware River before retiring in 1929.

·1 min read