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 205

News Articles

Polish Club Holds Amateur Matches

A February 1938 Camden Courier-Post notice of the Polish American Citizens Club resuming its amateur boxing shows with nine bouts at the Bonsall School auditorium.

·1 min read
Courier-Post clipping, K. of C. to Hold Ball on Washington Day, February 21, 1938
News Articles

K. of C. to Hold Ball on Washington Day

Camden Courier-Post, February 21, 1938: the Knights of Columbus planned a pre-Lenten Washington's Birthday ball at the Walt Whitman Hotel, opening with a military pageant escorting Miss Alice Dolly to lay flowers at the Washington statue at Broadway and Federal Street.

·1 min read
Newspaper clipping: Eighth Ward Society To Hold Ball Friday
News Articles

Eighth Ward Society To Hold Ball Friday

The Eighth Ward Beneficial Association announced a ball, variety show and "Big Apple" contest at Eagles Hall, 415 Broadway, with music by Jimmy De Muro and a 12-piece orchestra. Camden Courier-Post, February 21, 1938.

·1 min read
Newspaper clipping: 4 Men Arrested in Race Bet Raid
News Articles

4 Men Arrested in Race Bet Raid

Police raided a room in the rear of a cigar store at 433 Broadway and arrested four men, confiscating a telephone and horse-racing sheets as evidence of bookmaking on races. Camden Courier-Post, February 21, 1938.

·1 min read
Mother Ill in Indiana, Man Sought in Camden newspaper clipping
News Articles

Mother Ill in Indiana, Man Sought in Camden

In February 1938 a sister in Madison, Indiana, asked Camden's Missing Persons Bureau to find her brother Earl Van Horn, last known to be working in a shipyard at or near Camden, because their mother was ill.

·1 min read
Illegal Operation Charged to Doctor, Camden Courier-Post, February 21, 1938
News Articles

Illegal Operation Charged to Doctor

Dr. Claude B. Phillips, a Collingswood physician, was arrested on a charge of performing an illegal operation on Nora Williamson, 18, of 625 North Front Street, whom Patrolman John V. Wilkie had found during a routine check of rooming houses.

·1 min read
Burglar Visits Home of John W. Yates — Camden Courier-Post, February 21, 1938
News Articles

John W. Yates, Burglary Report

John W. Yates returned home to find a small tin box in an upstairs bureau had been forced open; the $20 inside was untouched, but a revolver was missing.

·1 min read
Phila Nazi Bund Wrecked by Blast - 1938-02-21 - 01
News Articles

Phila. Nazi Bund Wrecked by Blast

The explosion of a 16-pound shrapnel shell at 3.27 a.m., yesterday, in the Leidertafel Saengerbund, drill hall and beer cellar of Nazi "storm troops," 3647 North Sixth street, Philadelphia, hurled sleeping occupants from their beds.

·3 min read
Camden Courier-Post, February 21, 1938 — Funeral notice for Mrs. Dorothea Schilder
News Articles

Mrs. Dorothea Schilder

Funeral notice for Mrs. Dorothea Schilder, 58, of 938 North Second Street, who died from burns after an oil stove exploded in her home; services were to be held at her son's home at 212 Byron Street.

·1 min read