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 313

Ghost Sniper - AI Stock Photo
News Articles

Sniper Hits Auto of Atco Farmer

Camden Courier-Post - February 23, 1928 Gloucester Home Also Fired On by Mysterious Gunman Reports of three more shootings credited to the phantom sniper bought the mysterious gunman's score close to the 50-mark today.

·2 min read
Newspaper article 'Street is Ordered Closed by City to Save Woman's Life', Camden Courier-Post, February 23, 1928
News Articles

Street is Ordered Closed by City to Save Woman's Life

At the request of Dr. Clement T. Branch, the City of Camden roped off Ninth Street between Walnut and Cherry Streets so that traffic noise on the cobblestones would not endanger his critically ill patient, Mrs. Hattie Jones of 954 South Ninth Street.

·1 min read
Sniper's Shot Hits Market Street Window, Camden Courier-Post, February 22, 1928
News Articles

Sniper’s Shot Hits Market Street Window

Barber Paul W. Draper reported that a missile pierced the front window of his shop at 210 Market Street, leaving a pencil-point hole but no bullet. Philadelphia police had arrested an 18-year-old youth they thought might be the "phantom sniper."

·2 min read
How flames gutted the big industrial building on Erie Street, February 22, 1928
News Articles

$225,000 Fire Ruins 5 Uptown Plants

Camden Courier-Post, February 22, 1928: a fire in the Varoma Building on Erie Street wrecked five industrial concerns with damage estimated at $225,000, while the adjoining Evans Leather Company factory was saved.

·1 min read
Newspaper column headed Along Memory Lane by Ben Courter, Camden Courier-Post, February 22, 1928
News Articles

Along Memory Lane

Ben Courter recalls the old one-horse dinkey of the Camden Horse Railroad Company on South Second street, and the night in the '90s when driver "Joe" Hackney and his horse carried a posse of armed Kaighn Point citizens up and down Second street chasing a runaway steer.

·3 min read
Courier-Post clipping, Camden Hadassah Will Stage Dance, February 21, 1928
News Articles

Camden Hadassah Will Stage Dance

The Camden Chapter of the Hadassah planned an elaborate dance at the Talmud-Torah Building on Kaighn Avenue, with more than three hundred guests expected and music by the Black Cat Orchestra.

·1 min read
Bertman Criticizes Raid Minus Warrant — Camden Courier-Post, February 21, 1928
News Articles

Bertman Criticizes Raid Minus Warrant

Police Court Judge Bernard Bertman freed Conrad and Elizabeth Bristol of 126 North 30th Street after sharply criticizing police for twice searching their home without a warrant. Invoking the Constitution's protection against unreasonable searches, Bertman suspended sentence.

·1 min read
Ships Battling - AI Stock Photo
News Articles

Monitor Survivor Relates Historic Merrimac Fight

Captain James H. Carey , retired employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad and one of the last survivors of the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac will celebrate on March 9th the sixty-sixth anniversary of the event.

·3 min read
Historical Accounts

Tucker Stevedoring Co. v. Southwark Mfg. Co.

Tucker Stevedoring Co. v. Southwark Mfg. Co., 24 F.2d 410, a February 20, 1928 Third Circuit opinion on the loss of the Southwark Manufacturing Company's imported chalk when the scow Katie sank at its Camden wharf in November 1923.

·3 min read
Camden Courier-Post, February 20, 1928, Thomas J. Daley, Sr. obituary
News Articles

Thomas J. Daley, Sr.

The funeral of Thomas J. Daley, Sr., father of Thomas J. Daley, city engineer of Camden, will be held from his late residence, 1471 Baird avenue, on Wednesday. Daley was known as one of the oldest blacksmiths and wheelwrights in the city.

·1 min read