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 181

Page 38 of the St. Joseph's Golden Jubilee Year Book, 1943: ads for Shroeder funeral directors, Paint Corner, U-Need-A-Cafe and Lang's Bakery around parish history.
News Articles

B. C. Shroeder & Sons

Page 38 of the 1943 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Golden Jubilee Year Book: advertisements for B. C. Shroeder & Sons funeral directors at 715 Cooper Street, The Paint Corner at 2600 Federal St., Dominic Guglielmi's U-Need-A-Cafe at 2224 Federal Street and Lang's Bakery, around an installment of the parish history telling of Father Anthony C. Shuvlin's pastorate and the 1915 fire at the old church at 25th and Howell Streets.

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Page 33 of the St. Joseph's Golden Jubilee Year Book, 1943: four ads around a band of parish history text.
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Members of Fire Dept.

Page 33 of the 1943 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Golden Jubilee Year Book: compliments of the Members of Fire Dept. at 27th and Federal Streets, G. C. H., Greenetz and Greenetz and the East End Republican League at 300 North 27th Street, around an installment of the parish history telling how the church was mortgaged in 1893 and 1894 to pay for the ground and building.

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Year book page with ads for Leon T. Elwell, watchmaker, Chubby's Cafe and Shorty's Newsstand, and a parish history column.
News Articles

Leon T. Elwell

Page 31 of the 1943 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Golden Jubilee Year Book: advertisements for Leon T. Elwell, watchmaker and jeweler at 2770 Federal St., Chubby's Cafe and Cocktail Bar and Shorty's Newsstand, around an installment of the parish history telling how the St. Joseph's Catholic Church Corporation resolved in 1893 to build a church on lots purchased of Alfred Cramer.

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Page 27 of the St. Joseph's Golden Jubilee Year Book, 1943: a Camden Draught Beer ad, parish history, and two ads.
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Camden Draught Beer

Page 27 of the 1943 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Golden Jubilee Year Book: a Camden Draught Beer advertisement, advertisements for Vincent's Super Service at 936-8 Newton Avenue and Nardello at 2311 Federal St., around an installment of the parish history telling how Alfred Cramer developed East Camden after 1874 and how early Catholics there went to Mass.

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Page 24 of the 1943 St. Joseph's Golden Jubilee Year Book: two photographs of Antrim's hardware buildings with captions.
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ANTRIM'S in 1889 at 15th and Federal

Page 24 of the 1943 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Golden Jubilee Year Book: Elwood Antrim started a modest hardware business at 15th and Federal in 1889, and under his family's management Antrim's grew into the largest Mill Supply House in South Jersey, supplying shipyards with materials essential to the war effort.

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Page 23 of the St. Joseph's Golden Jubilee Year Book: a Federal Cleaners & Dyers advertisement above the parish history column, with the start of a Thomas C. Schneider compliments advertisement below
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Federal Cleaners & Dyers

Page 23 of the 1943 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Golden Jubilee Year Book: an advertisement for G. Vignola's Federal Cleaners & Dyers at 2800 Federal Street, around an installment of the parish history telling how Father Byrne bought the plot at Westfield Avenue and Federal Street that became St. Patrick's cemetery, and how the Saints Peter and Paul, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Sacred Heart parishes began.

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Advertisement for Harry Leonard, funeral director and embalmer, 2850 Federal Street, Camden, N.J.
News Articles

Harry Leonard

Page 12 of the 1943 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Golden Jubilee Year Book: an advertisement for Harry Leonard, funeral director and embalmer, at his funeral home at 2850 Federal Street, Camden, opposite the parish rectory.

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Golden Jubilee Year Book page 78
News Articles

C. Miller

Page 78 of the 1943 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Golden Jubilee Year Book: advertisements for C. Miller fine furs, John F. Gorman, Finkelstein's shoe bargains at 1114 Broadway, Lester's at 2637 Westfield Avenue, Local No. 880 of the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees, Budget Food Market, Savitz, Wm. Pepeta, Jr.'s cafe at 1101 N. 27th Street, the Bismarck Tavern, Shapiro's Shoe Store at 219 Broadway, Kogan's Drug Store, Dannenhower Sports, Anne Doris Beauty Shop and Danny's Floral Shop.

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Page 77 of the St. Joseph's Golden Jubilee Year Book, 1943: a directory of twenty Camden business advertisements.
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Joe's Barber Shop

Page 77 of the 1943 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Golden Jubilee Year Book: advertisements for Joe's Barber Shop at 2748 Federal Street, Vogt's Bakery, Lee's Millinery Shop, Tilo Roofing Co., Standard Markets, R. T. Jermyn, Martin's, Dr. Rosen, the Morris Tomar Department Store, Earles Shoes at 1136 Broadway, the DiJulio-LaSala Co. at 812 Broadway, Lewis Variety Store, C. Roselli, Gray Service, Bill Shoeffling, McCrory's at Broadway and Kaighn Avenue, Mohawk Market, Charles' Credit Jeweler, the Peerless Restaurant and Fliegelman's.

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Golden Jubilee Year Book page 76
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T. L. Bear

Page 76 of the 1943 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Golden Jubilee Year Book: advertisements for T. L. Bear, jeweler, at 204 Market St., M. J. Jubanyik, Inc. at 6th and Penn Sts., John W. Kile's Walt Whitman Flower Shop at 625 Cooper Street, Siris Abbatoirs at Broadway and Jackson St., roofer Max Reihmann, Jr., Y&B roofing and siding, Louis E. Schimpf, florist C. Jackel and the Belfi Insurance Agency, with the compliments of Chief of Police George W. Frost.

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Page 73 of the 1943 St. Joseph's Golden Jubilee Year Book: ten Camden business advertisements in two columns.
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Kernan's

Page 73 of the 1943 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Golden Jubilee Year Book: advertisements for Kernan's at Second and Market Sts., Billie's millinery at 453 Kaighn Avenue, barber Sam Bosco at 1444 Haddon Avenue, Hempel's Meat Market at 2606 Federal Street, Melvin and Sam, the Gold Seal Food Market at 2513 Federal St., Jean's at 1105 Broadway, Mary Naden's Naden Store on Kaighn Ave., Massi's Shoe Repairing at 2716 Federal Street, and Harry Chu.

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Page 71 of the St. Joseph's Golden Jubilee Year Book, 1943, with advertisements for Garden State Amusement Co., Budget Plan Corporation, Quality Drug Company, Small's, Lou's Family Liquor Store, Heller's Pharmacy and Haller's Bakery
News Articles

Garden State Amusement Co.

Page 71 of the 1943 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Golden Jubilee Year Book: advertisements for the Garden State Amusement Co. at 338 N. 7th St., Daly's, the Budget Plan Corporation at Broadway and Carman St., the East Side Italian Democratic Club at 2316 Mickle Street, the Quality Drug Company, Small's at 2750 Federal Street, J. M., Lou's Family Liquor Store at 2301 Federal St., Heller's Pharmacy at 3631 Westfield Avenue, and Haller's Bakery at 2940 Westfield Ave.

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