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!

1235 North 22nd Street, Camden NJ, built 1950, photographed 2011
Streets

22nd Street

22nd Street spans the former Pavonia section — now Cramer Hill — and extends south to Federal Street in East Camden, already laid out by the time the 1887–1888 Camden City Directory was published.

·12 min read
Looking North on 21st Street from Federal - 2009-02-25
Streets

21st Street

Twenty-First Street runs through Cramer Hill and into East Camden, extending from Harrison Avenue to Federal Street, established by the 1887–1888 Camden City Directory.

·9 min read
1239 and 1241 North 20th Street, March 15, 2012
Streets

20th Street

Twentieth Street runs through Cramer Hill and East Camden, from Harrison Avenue to Bank Street, established by the 1887–1888 Camden City Directory. In 1954, fourteen homes with South 20th Street addresses were added when McGuire Gardens public housing was built; they were demolished and redeveloped in the 1990s.

·9 min read
Map of Cramer Hill and East Camden, 1914
Streets

19th Street

Nineteenth Street runs from the Pavonia railroad switching yards across River Avenue north to Harrison Avenue in the Cramer Hill section of Camden, New Jersey.

·4 min read
Map of Cramer Hill and East Camden, 1914
Streets

18th Street

Eighteenth Street runs from River Avenue north to just beyond Harrison Avenue in the Cramer Hill section of Camden, New Jersey. Originally called Dayton Avenue, it was renamed shortly after the 1900 Census.

·6 min read
Poet's Row fire, August 23, 1972 — view looking east on Byron Street, fire started in John R. Evans Co. factory
Historical Accounts

The Death of Poet's Row — The 1972 Fire

On the night of August 23, 1972, a fire that started in the former John R. Evans Co. leather factory at North 2nd and Erie Streets destroyed Milton Street, Burns Street, and the north side of the 200 block of Byron Street — the complete obliteration of Camden's Poet's Row neighborhood.

·2 min read
Poets-Row-Fire-1-1972-08-23
Streets

Byron Street

Byron Street was part of North Camden's Poet's Row neighborhood, a working-class district whose streets were named for English literary figures. The 200, 300, and 500 blocks developed in the 1890s; the 200 block's north side was destroyed in the catastrophic Poet's Row fire of August 1972.

·5 min read
Looking east on Butcher's Alley from South 4th Street, June 2004
Streets

Butcher's Alley

A short alley between Liberty and Mechanic Streets in South Camden, named for shoemaker William A. Butcher who built a shoe factory on it in the 1890s.

·2 min read
Bailey Street - East from 4th Street - 2011-10-24
Streets

Bailey Street

Bailey Street runs through North Camden from the 200 block near Cooper Street north to the 800 block. It appears to be named for real estate developer William T. Bailey, who built rows of homes along State, Grant, Bailey, and York Streets in the late 19th century.

·1 min read
Map of Cramer Hill and East Camden, 1914
Streets

17th Street

Seventeenth Street runs through two separate sections of Camden: North 17th Street extends from Harrison Avenue to River Avenue through the Cramer Hill neighborhood, while South 17th Street runs from Federal Street southward across Carman Street to Admiral Wilson Boulevard in East Camden.

·4 min read
1906-Sanborn-Map-11th-and-12th-streets
Streets

12th Street

Camden has two separate 12th Streets: North Twelfth, which once ran from Federal Street to the Cooper River before being largely erased by highway construction, and South Twelfth, which runs from Fairview Street to Lakeshore Drive and is lined with post-World War II rowhouses.

·5 min read
Henry S. Harrop
Historical Accounts

1890 Review of Camden, New Jersey - Part 10

FRANK MESTER, IMPORTER AND WHOLESALE LIQUOR DEALER 4th AND ARCH STREETS . This is one of the most widely known houses in the town, it having had an established reputation for the sale of unadulterated wines and liquors.

·57 min read