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!

Historical Accounts

Neigh, Nay

It's All In The Game , by A. Charles Corotis Venus. Paris was the judge and Helen of Troy the pawn. Result: the Trojan War. Somebody always gets hurt.

·6 min read
Historical Accounts

Get Thee Behind Me

It's All In The Game , by A. Charles Corotis They swooped down on me with the horn of Ray Prideaux's new Cadillac calling enticingly, alluringly, like the siren-song of Homer's sea-nymphs.

·8 min read
Historical Accounts

It's All In The Game - Preface

By A. Charles Corotis Preface It was a long, long time ago under circumstances of exceedingly pleasant remembrance that I once was told, "You make love like you write: sometimes tenderly, sometimes violently.

·3 min read
Bulson-Street-at-8th-Street-1955
Streets

Bulson Street

Bulson Street runs east from Broadway to South 11th Street alongside the railroad tracks, named after 19th-century farmer Gilbert Bulson. At one time the tracks were at street level; in modern times the overpass has been known as "the hump."

·4 min read
1914 map of south Camden showing Brown Street
Streets

Budd Street

Budd Street is in Camden's Centerville neighborhood, first appearing in City Directories in 1878. The construction of the Clement T. Branch Village public housing project in 1940 further shortened the street, which now begins at South 10th Street.

·1 min read
1914 South Camden from Pine Street to Newton Creek
Streets

Brown Street

Brown Street in Camden's Fourteenth Ward was listed in the 1906 and 1924 directories but may never have been fully laid out; satellite images suggest it would have run through the Canterbury Apartments tract.

·1 min read
1914-Southeast-Camden
Streets

Browning Street

Browning Street in Camden was originally Evergreen Avenue. It was renamed in honor of Congressman William J. Browning, who died on March 4, 1920, while performing his duties at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

·4 min read
New Junction Hotel, 595 Bridge Avenue (aka 39 South 6th Street), photographed 1892
Streets

Bridge Avenue

Bridge Avenue was one of Camden's most notable thoroughfares, lying between Federal and Mickle Streets. By 1947 only the block east of South 8th Street remained, and that too has long since vanished.

·1 min read
Looking east on Branch Street from Broadway, August 28, 2011
Streets

Branch Street

Branch Street is a one-block street running from 1460 Broadway east to South 6th Street; formerly known as Commerce Street until sometime between 1888–1889 and 1890–1891.

·1 min read
1495 Bradley Avenue, photographed c. 2006
Streets

Bradley Avenue

Bradley Avenue runs east from 1400 Haddon Avenue to Euclid Avenue in the Parkside section of Camden.

·1 min read
1906 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map showing Boyer Street and Nelson Court, Camden, NJ
Streets

Boyer Street

Boyer Street, also known as Boyer Court, was a half-block dead-end street running east from Nelson Street in South Camden. Eight brick homes on the north side were built in the early 1890s and demolished after World War II for industrial development.

·7 min read
Historical Accounts

Memory of 274 Boyd Street

Adele Freedman Siegal recalls living at 274 Boyd Street from the late 1930s to 1950, attending Cramer School and Woodrow Wilson High School, where she graduated as valedictorian in June 1941.

·1 min read