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 242

Mrs. Heisler Buried at Simple Rites, Camden Evening Courier, September 11, 1934
News Articles

Mrs. Heisler Buried at Simple Rites

Two days after Detective William Feitz was buried, Emma Heisler, whose suicide came as a tragic sequel to his death, was laid to rest in New Camden Cemetery after a funeral from Frank J. Leonard's establishment at Broadway and Lansdowne Avenue.

·1 min read
Randolph W. Rudderow obituary, 1934
News Articles

Randolph W. Rudderow

Obituary for Randolph W. Rudderow, 62, of 461 Carteret Street, a real estate man connected with the office of T. Yorke Smith and an officer of the Broadway M.E. Church.

·1 min read
Newspaper clipping: Feitz First Cop Slain Here; 6 Others Survived Wounds, Camden Evening Courier, Sept. 3, 1934
News Articles

Feitz First Cop Slain Here; 6 Others Survived Wounds

The murder of Detective William Feitz by bandits marked the first slaying of a policeman in the history of the Camden department; police records showed three other members had been shot, two stabbed and a sixth beaten with an iron pipe, but all survived.

·2 min read
Newspaper clipping "12 Questioned, 2 Men Held in Murder Probe," Camden Evening Courier, Sept. 3, 1934.
News Articles

12 Questioned, 2 Men Held in Murder Probe

Camden police under Chief Arthur Colsey opened a city-wide hunt for the bandits who shot Detective William T. Feitz four times in the back when he surprised a holdup of 20 persons in a house at 243 Sycamore Street.

·11 min read
Camden Courier-Post clipping, August 11, 1934: Stool Pigeons Ordered Brought Into Court
News Articles

Stool Pigeons Ordered Brought Into Court

Three women arrested in illicit liquor raids, including Mrs. Sarah Dowling of 7 Wood Street, were given a four-day respite in Camden police court when Judge Garfield Pancoast ordered police to produce the stool pigeons who made the buys.

·1 min read
Uninvited Picket Given Year Term for Having Gun
News Articles

Uninvited Picket Given Year Term for Having Gun

Henry Parks, a Philadelphia strikebreaker who muscled uninvited into the picket line at New York Shipbuilding with a loaded pistol, was sentenced to one to three years in state's prison. Motorcycle Policeman Earl Wright was among the arresting officers.

·3 min read
Dozen Battles Draw 1000 as Victory March Pays Serenade, Camden Courier-Post, May 17, 1934.
News Articles

Dozen Battles Draw 1000 as Victory March Pays Serenade

A victory parade after a bitter Eighth Ward Republican primary set off a street riot at Sixth and Viola Streets in front of William Tansky Jr.'s saloon; a boy was hit by a ricocheting bullet and detectives questioned the rival faction leaders.

·4 min read
Courier-Post clipping "2 Runaway Horses Imperil Children," about bakery wagon horses loose in South Camden, May 17, 1934
News Articles

2 Runaway Horses Imperil Children

Scores of children on their way to school were endangered when two horses hitched to a bakery wagon ran away in South Camden streets, ignoring red traffic lights and shouts of pedestrians and motorists.

·2 min read