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 34

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
Boyd Street - Looking West - 2004
Streets

Boyd Street

Boyd Street runs through East Camden parallel to Marlton Avenue, from Carman Street to the Pennsauken city limits. Originally named Pfeiffer Street before 1924, it gained notoriety in the late 1980s and 1990s as part of the open-air drug market known as "the Alley."

·1 min read
Looking west on Pearl Street from Borton Street, 1993
Streets

Borton Street

Borton Street ran for one block north from Pearl Street to Elm Street in North Camden. Named after Joshua Borton, best man at developer Charles W. Cox's wedding. The last house, 528 Borton Street, was lost to fire on June 1, 2008.

·3 min read
Streets

Border Street

Border Street, renamed Mt. Ephraim Avenue in the 2000s, ran from Line Street and Haddon Avenue north along the railroad tracks to Newton Avenue. It remains a convenient shortcut between South Camden and East Camden.

·1 min read
Vacant grassy lot and a damaged brick row house beside a street, with a bridge girder at left and a blue street sign at right
Streets

Birch Street

Birch Street once ran from Front Street through Ninth Street in North Camden. Over the years, the Delaware River Bridge, the Port Authority, and the Northgate Apartment Buildings took most of the street off the map.

·16 min read
Berwick Street
Streets

Berwick Street

Berwick Street is in East Camden, running through the 2000 and 2100 blocks between Rand Street and Marlton Pike; the street was extended to South 20th Street after the McGuire Gardens housing project was built in 1954.

·7 min read
900-Block-of-Bergen-916-948-2009-09-27
Streets

Bergen Avenue

Bergen Avenue runs through the Cramer Hill section of Camden from Cleveland Avenue north to Farragut Avenue near the Delaware River, likely named for Martin V. Bergen or Christopher A. Bergen, prominent Camden legal figures in the late 1800s.

·1 min read
1445-1447 Belleview Avenue, 1920s
Streets

Belleview Avenue

Belleview Avenue runs east from Baird Boulevard to Park Boulevard in Camden's Parkside neighborhood.

·1 min read