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!

St. Joseph's Parish WWII War Memorial bronze plaque, Camden NJ
Monuments

St. Joseph's Parish WWII War Memorial

A bronze plaque in the vestibule of St. Joseph Church at 10th and Liberty Streets in Camden, presented by the Catholic War Veterans, St. Joseph's Post 418, and dedicated April 3, 1949, honoring the parish's heroic war dead of World War II.

·4 min read
Casimir Pulaski Monument, Pennsauken
Monuments

Casimir Pulaski Monument

The Casimir Pulaski Monument was dedicated in Camden, N.J. on October 11, 1936 at Pulaski Park (Benson Street and Haddon Avenue), the former City Hall site. In 1984 it was moved to Cooper River Park in Pennsauken, where it stands as part of the Polish Heroes War Memorial.

·2 min read
Bruno S. Ulak
People

Bruno S. Ulak

Bruno S. Ulak of Camden, NJ served as a First Lieutenant in the 698th Ordnance Company, Aviation. He survived the Bataan Death March and over two years as a Japanese prisoner of war before being killed on September 7, 1944, when the hell ship Shinyo Maru was torpedoed and sunk.

·12 min read
John Lozowski, high school yearbook photo
People

John Lozowski

John Lozowski, Private, VMSB-341, U.S. Marine Corps, was killed on April 8, 1943, when his plane crashed at Atlantic Field, North Carolina. He is buried at St. Joseph Cemetery in Gloucester Township, NJ. He had lived at 1143 Sheridan Street in Camden, NJ.

·2 min read
Portrait of Machinist's Mate First Class Joseph J. Piotrowski
People

Joseph J. Piotrowski

Machinist's Mate First Class Joseph J. Piotrowski of 1167 Chase Street, Camden, served aboard the cruiser USS Helena (CL-50), survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, and was killed in action on July 6, 1943 when the Helena was sunk at the Battle of Kula Gulf. He is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery.

·3 min read
Benjamin Wallace Bonk, U.S. Navy
People

Benjamin W. Bonk

Seaman First Class Benjamin Wallace Bonk of Camden, NJ served aboard the submarine USS Escolar (SS-294), lost with all hands in the Yellow Sea in late 1944. He is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery.

·3 min read
Walter Trynski
People

Walter Trynski

Walter Trynski of Camden, NJ served as a Technician 5th Class in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II. He died on July 6, 1947, while still serving, and is buried at St. Joseph Cemetery in Gloucester Township, NJ.

·1 min read
Harold H. Pike in Camden Fire Department uniform, 1964
People

Harold H. Pike

Harold Hadley Pike Jr. (1926–1998) served the Camden Fire Department for over 30 years, rising from ladderman to Fire Marshal and Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention.

·2 min read
Personnel Card — George W. Meriwether, Camden Fire Bureau
People

George W. Meriwether

George W. Meriwether (1925–1992) was a Camden firefighter appointed to the Camden Fire Department on June 27, 1960; he served with Engine Company 8 and Ladder Company 3 in East Camden before retiring on pension August 1, 1985.

·1 min read
George and Mary Ann McKenna Engel wedding day
Historical Accounts

The Engel Family of Camden, NJ

History of the Engel family of Camden — Julius and Mary Engel, immigrants from Slovakia and Hungary who settled in South Camden, and their son Frank Engel, who shot and wounded Howard Unruh during the 1949 Cramer Hill "Walk of Death."

·15 min read
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 10th & Mechanic Streets, Camden, NJ. Postcard.
Religion

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church (Polish)

St. Joseph's Parish, the Polish Roman Catholic church of Camden's Whitman Park, began in 1891; its Baroque-style church at 10th and Mechanic Streets, designed by George I. Lovatt and consecrated in May 1914, is on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Sites.

·4 min read
Hook and Ladder Company 3, Hose and Chemical Company 1, and Engine Company 9 group photo, 1924
Fire Department

Engine Company 9

Engine Company 9 was organized as Hose Company 1 on March 1, 1900 at the new firehouse at North 27th and Federal Street in East Camden, reorganized as Hose and Chemical Company 1 in 1914 and as Engine Company 9 in 1922, and has remained continuously at 27th and Federal Street, sharing quarters with Ladder Company 3.

·5 min read