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 18

Manufacturing and Hardware

Clan Manufacturing Company

The Clan Manufacturing Company, a janitorial supply firm, was founded in Camden in 1921 by brothers John T. Clancy and James Clancy. The business originally operated at 565 Carman Street.

·1 min read
Camden Beer Truck
Auto Repair

Tiedeken Brother's Auto Body

Tiedeken Brother's Auto Body, founded in 1876 as a wagon and blacksmith shop on Van Hook Street, is the oldest business in Camden, New Jersey.

·3 min read
View of Camden Waterfront in 1850
Historical Accounts

Old Ferries - Annals of Camden NJ

Annals of Camden No 3 - Old Ferries - Camden NJ Download In this age of inventions, improvements and ever-changing modes of transportation, the ferry boat is still an important factor in carrying the traveller across that "goodly and noble" river which forms the boundary between the two Quaker Colonies of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

·57 min read
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.

·6 min read
Morse Street - 100 block - 1951-02-14
Streets

Morse Street

Morse Street in East Camden was named for Henry G. Morse, founder and president of the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, whose Camden shipyard led to the creation of Yorkship Village.

·2 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