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!

Looking north on Coates Street from Spruce Street, March 19, 2014
Streets

Coates Street

Coates Street is a one-block street in Camden's Bergen Square neighborhood, running from Spruce Street to Division Street.

·2 min read
Coates Avenue (present-day Coates Alley) and Welsh Street — 1885 Sanborn Map
Streets

Coates Alley

Coates Alley is a short street in Camden that originally ran parallel to Broadway and South 5th Street from Cherry Street north across Spruce Street to Division Street. Today it is one block long, running from Spruce Street to Division Street.

·4 min read
Looking east on the 200 block of Burns Street the day after the Poet's Row fire
Historical Accounts

The Death of Milton Street — The Poet’s Row Fire

On the night of August 23, 1972, a fire in the abandoned John R. Evans factory at North 2nd and Erie Streets spread through Poet's Row, destroying Burns Street, Milton Street, and the north side of Byron Street in a ten-alarm catastrophe that displaced hundreds of families.

·4 min read
Looking east on the 200 block of Burns Street the day after the Poet's Row fire
Streets

Burns Street

Burns Street was in Camden's Poet's Row neighborhood, named for Robert Burns. Three blocks of row homes built in the 1890s, all destroyed in the catastrophic Poet's Row fire of August 1972.

·3 min read
People

Bernard Bertman

Bernard Bertman lived at 941 Broadway as late as 1936 and had his law offices in the Wilson Building at Broadway and Cooper Street .

·1 min read
Augustus Werner - 1930s
People

Augustus F. Werner

Augustus F. Werner was born around 1870. According to the 1920 Census, he was born in Texas to German-speaking parents who had emigrated from the Lorraine region, which was then part of France. He met and married his wife, Annie, around 1891.

·3 min read
People

James J. Daly

James J. Daly was born in Camden around 1881 and spent nearly his entire life there. He was the son of James P. Daly and his wife. His father entered the bar business as early as 1906, operating Daly's Café at 800 Linden Street .

·1 min read
James F Campbell
People

James F. "Soup" Campbell

James Francis "Soup" Campbell was born on December 24, 1897, in Homestead, Pennsylvania. He likely learned to play basketball at the Homestead YMCA under the guidance of Sandy Shields, a star of the 23rd Street Wanderers.

·3 min read
Gus Gondolf - Temple Bar
People

Augustus E. Gondolf Sr.

Augustus Edwin "Gus" Gondolf Sr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 8, 1892. His father, Edward Gondolff, was the son of Peter Gondolff Sr. , who immigrated to the United States from the Alsace-Lorraine region of France.

·2 min read
People

George Frost

George Frost was the son of Andrew and Christiana Frost, both of whom were born in what is now Germany.

·3 min read