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!

John A Oetzels Saloon - 1890s
People

John A. Oetzel

John A. Oetzel was born in Philadelphia in 1857 to parents who had emigrated from Eisenach, Germany, which was then part of the Duchy of Hesse and is now in the State of Thuringia.

·2 min read
Phil R. Zimmerman
People

Philip R. Zimmermann

Philip Zimmerman was born in Camden, NJ, on February 12, 1954. His father worked as a cement truck driver. Phil graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 1978 with a degree in Computer Science.

·1 min read
John-T-Garrity-1934-09-11
People

John T. Garrity

John Thomas Garrity was born on January 27, 1884, in Pennsylvania to John J. and Letitia Garrity. The family moved to Camden in the 1890s, where John J. Garrity worked as a blacksmith in one of Camden's many shipyards.

·2 min read
RAC-Baseball
People

Herman F. Niessner

Herman F. Niessner was born on March 8, 1891, in Pennsylvania to German immigrant parents. His father, Frederick Niessner, worked as a machinist for Baldwin Locomotive in Philadelphia and moved the family to the Cramer Hill section of Camden in 1894.

·3 min read
Lincoln-School
Schools

Lincoln School

aka Claudius W. Bradshaw School; aka Challenge Square Academy; aka Met East High School 1151 Kaighn Avenue Camden had become an industrial city by the 1880s, and although the country went into an economic slump in the early 1890s, generally referred to as "the panic of 1893," the city continued to grow and with it the need for new schools.

·7 min read
People

Joseph F. Wood

Joseph F. Wood was born in Pennsylvania around 1884 to German-born parents. He moved to Camden around 1910. By the 1920 census, he was living with his wife Henrietta at 701 South 4th Street and working as a riveter in one of Camden's shipyards.

·1 min read
People

John T. Odorisio

John T. Odorisio was born in Camden around 1926 to Joseph and Nettie Odorisio. After his father passed away, he lived with his older brother Rocco and sister Constance at 425 Beckett Street , as recorded in the 1930 Census.

·1 min read
Bart-A-Sheehan-1936-10-17
People

Bartholomew A. Sheehan

Bartholomew A. Sheehan was born on December 18, 1907, to Jeremiah and Mary (McCarthy) Sheehan.

·2 min read
Historical Accounts

Milton E. Kelly - Anecdote

This post was originally written in 2015. Milton E. and Eva Kelly had moved to a house at 3302 Rosedale Avenue by the time the 1924 Camden City Directory was compiled. On August 4 of that year, their first child, son Milton William Kelly was born.

·3 min read
Milton A. Kelly
Historical Accounts

A Kelly Family History

by William Roles Kelly My Paternal Grandparents My Maternal Grandparents: Milton A. Kelly and Charlotte R. Kelly I don't remember a great deal about my grandfather, for he died in '32 when I was barely 4 years old.

·5 min read
Ruthie-Reeves-Doreen-Kelly-Carol-Kelly-1949
Historical Accounts

Milton Kelly Family

Before Camden The Milton Kelly family's Camden story is similar to many others, in that they came to Camden prior to World War I and left during the Vietnam years.

·8 min read
Perry Street - Sanborn Map - 1906
Streets

Ringold Street

Ringold Street was a one-block Camden street running from Line Street to Pine Street near Haddon Avenue, razed by the 1960s for Campbell Soup parking.

·1 min read