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 434

He Was a Busy Burglar - Philadelphia Inquirer, February 11, 1894
News Articles

He Was a Busy Burglar

Theodore Lambert, indicted for the murder of William G. Kairer, was again taken before Prosecutor Jenkins to be identified by a Philadelphia pawnbroker, and prepared a list of forty Camden robberies.

·1 min read
Samuel Collins item — Philadelphia Inquirer, February 11, 1894
News Articles

Samuel Collins

Ex-policeman Samuel Collins was held in $300 bail for throwing a brick through the window of Peter Murphy's hotel at Seventeenth and Federal Streets in Camden.

·1 min read
William E. Eastlack
News Articles

William E. Eastlack

Death notices for William E. Eastlack, 74, of 1141 Baring Street, Camden; funeral held Tuesday, February 6, 1894, with interment at New Camden Cemetery.

·1 min read
Philadelphia Inquirer column Over in Camden, January 16, 1894, with seven short local news items
News Articles

Over in Camden

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Camden roundup of January 16, 1894: monthly vital statistics and contagious-disease reports, a perjury case, the death of Charles E. Fish, the Democratic City Committee's new officers, and a saloon robbery at 1143 Broadway.

·1 min read
Lambert moved to county prison, Philadelphia Inquirer, December 19, 1893
News Articles

Lambert Moved to County Prison

Philadelphia Inquirer, December 19, 1893: burglar Theodore Lambert was moved from City Hall to the county prison and held in solitary confinement; police still expected to connect him with the murder of baker William G. Kairer.

·1 min read
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 25th and Howell Street, East Camden, photographed 1909
Buildings

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church (East Camden)

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, the first Catholic parish in East Camden, was founded in 1893 at 25th and Howell Street and celebrated its Golden Anniversary in 1943. A new church built in 1952 at 2907 Federal Street became St. Joseph's Pro-Cathedral.

·9 min read
Three Suspects Arrested, Philadelphia Inquirer, December 11, 1893
News Articles

Three Suspects Arrested

Three more suspects were arrested in the murder of Camden baker William Kairer: George Harris and a pickpocket by Philadelphia police, and Henry Hansom by Camden police.

·1 min read
Philadelphia Inquirer clipping, December 10, 1893: Lambert Held for Robbery
News Articles

Lambert Held for Robbery

Theodore Lambert, held in the murder of baker William G. Kairer, was charged with two robberies including the theft of a watch and purse from Mrs. Frances Hutt of 908 Jefferson Avenue.

·1 min read
Newspaper clipping, "No Light on the Kairer Murder," Philadelphia Inquirer, December 8, 1893
News Articles

No Light on the Kairer Murder

Philadelphia Inquirer, December 8, 1893: the coroner's jury returns a verdict of death at the hands of a person unknown in the shooting of Camden baker William G. Kairer Sr., who is buried at Evergreen Cemetery as the rewards reach $1000.

·1 min read
Kairer's Slayer Still at Large — Philadelphia Inquirer, December 6, 1893 (full clipping)
News Articles

Kairer's Slayer Still at Large

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Camden police, who had arrested Theodore Lambert for the murder of baker William Kairer, learned the pawnbroker's clerk did not recognize him as the man who pawned the victim's watch.

·1 min read
Over in Camden, Philadelphia Inquirer, September 2, 1893
News Articles

Over in Camden

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Camden roundup of September 2, 1893: the twentieth anniversary of free delivery at the Camden Postoffice, a dog that frightened burglars away from a men's furnishing goods store at Third and Federal streets, and weavers at Priestly's Woolen Mills still refusing reduced wages.

·1 min read