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 325

Camden Courier-Post clipping, June 19, 1926: Isaac Shreve Dies, Veteran Policeman
News Articles

Isaac Shreve Dies, Veteran Policeman

Isaac M. Shreve, a Camden policeman for nearly forty years, was fatally stricken with apoplexy while answering a false-alarm call at Thirty-sixth and Federal streets in June 1926. He had served in the fire department, been shot by a robber twelve years earlier, and spent his last eighteen years on duty in East Camden.

·2 min read
Yearbook advertisement for E. G. Britton, Groceries and Provisions, 701 North 9th Street
News Articles

E. G. Britton

Camden High School Yearbook advertisement, 1926, for E. G. Britton, Groceries and Provisions, 701 North 9th Street.

·1 min read
William James (death notice)
News Articles

William James (death notice)

A 1926 Camden Evening Courier death notice for William James, a retired operator who died at the home of his son-in-law James H. Sweeney at 903 North Fourth Street.

·1 min read
Newspaper clipping "When Gleason Wore Curls": Sergeant Wright Cox recalls Kid Gleason as a boy in curls.
News Articles

When Gleason Wore Curls

Police stable sergeant Wright Cox recalls "Kid" Gleason as a curly-haired boy and later the scrappiest kid in the Third Ward, including an incident at a tavern at Second and Taylor Avenue.

·1 min read
General Gas Mantle Co. advertisement for the Superay gas heater, 1926, showing the factory building at Jefferson near Fourth, Camden
News Articles

Put a Superay Gas Heater in that Cold Room

1926 General Gas Mantle Co. advertisement for the Superay gas heater, inviting readers to a demonstration at Booth F-7 of the South Jersey Exposition. The company was at Jefferson near Fourth, Camden.

·1 min read
Cupid Conquers Entire First Ward Cage Team - Camden Courier-Post, 1926
News Articles

Cupid Conquers Entire First Ward Cage Team

A humorous 1926 Camden Courier-Post story reporting that Ott Laxton, the last bachelor of the First Ward Republican cage team, eloped to Elkton with Helen Kocher — leaving Cupid "batting 1,000."

·2 min read
535 Arch Street - William H. Shearman - Peppery Pot column - Camden Daily Courier August 4 1925
News Articles

Shaw—Shearman

A Camden Daily Courier column item of August 4, 1925 on the Shaw family of the Fifth Ward and Civil War veteran William H. Shearman, who lived at 535 Arch Street in 1876.

·1 min read
Grainy news photograph of piles of baled paper and old automobile tires beside a damaged brick wall after the Division Street warehouse fire, Camden, July 27, 1925
News Articles

Four Firemen Are Trapped in Collapse of Brick Wall

A Camden Evening Courier report of July 27, 1925 on a spectacular fire at the Bantivoglio & Son junk warehouse at 252 Division Street, in which a collapsing brick wall buried four firemen of Engine Company No. 7, including Captain Watkin.

·6 min read