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!

Intersection of Dauphin Street and Division Street — July 10, 2004
Streets

Dauphin Street

Dauphin Street runs south from Line Street across Pine Street to Division Street, between South 4th and South 5th Streets in South Camden. Originally called Kaighn Street, it was renamed in January 1882.

·2 min read
1906-Sanborn-Map-Vol2-Sheet12
Streets

Wagner Court

Wagner Court, also called Wagner's Court, was a small dead-end alley running west from 713 South 4th Street in Camden, New Jersey, gone by the 1940s.

·1 min read
Carter's Place — 1906 Sanborn Map
Streets

Carter's Place

Carter's Place, also known as Carter's Alley and Carter Alley, runs west from North 4th Street to what at one time had been Newkirk Place. The alley likely received its name from the Carter family, prominent Camden landowners.

·2 min read
John Martin Schreiber
People

John Martin Schreiber

John Martin Schreiber, better known as Martin Schrieber, moved to New Jersey in 1903 to work for the Public Service Corporation, the state's largest public transit company and an early predecessor of today's Transport of New Jersey.

·1 min read
Streets

Carbine Street

Carbon Street, also known as Carbon Court and Carbine Street, ran south from 1010 Spruce Street in Camden, New Jersey; its homes were gone by 1947.

·2 min read
Cohn Alley, October 2005
Streets

Cohn Alley

Cohn Alley is named after Edward N. Cohn, a prominent figure in Camden's real estate and construction circles during the 1880s and 1890s. The alley runs east from Haddon Avenue, between Kaighn and Liberty Streets, and never had any formal addresses.

·1 min read
Clover Street map, Camden NJ
Streets

Clover Street

Clover Street is a one-block street running from Sycamore Street to Kaighn Avenue, parallel to South 8th Street.

·2 min read
Kaigns Point Ferry Terminal
Streets

Kaighn Avenue

One of Camden's major east-west streets, running from Kaighn's Point at the Delaware River east to Admiral Wilson Boulevard and the Airport Circle in Pennsauken, with block-by-block address histories from the 1860s through the early 2000s.

·28 min read
Historical Accounts

Ali: The Cherry Hill Years Part II

Originally printed in South Jersey Magazine in 2002 As Muhammad Ali turns 60, and Will Smith turns into Muhammad Ali, we visit a simpler time, a time of truth and consequences, a time when the once and future champ of the world lived on Barbara Drive, just off the park in Cherry Hill.

·14 min read
Major Coxson Pours Sonny a Drink
People

Major Benjamin Coxson

Major Benjamin Coxson, an African-American, was a well-known and flamboyant figure in the criminal underworld. He was involved in various illegal activities, including car theft and acting as a fixer in gangland circles.

·2 min read