Albert Court

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Two of Camden's 'Places' Tucked Away from City's Bustle Do you know these streets? At the left is Judson place and at the right, Girard place. Both are near, and yet far, from the activities of the central part of the city. Although those who planned these streets never thought of such a thing, they now serve as sequestered play-places for many children. Left: Judson Place Right: Girard Place

Two of Camden's 'Places' Tucked Away from City's Bustle

Do you know these streets? At the left is Judson place and at the right, Girard place. Both are near, and yet far, from the activities of the central part of the city. Although those who planned these streets never thought of such a thing, they now serve as sequestered play-places for many children.

Ten Obscure "Hideaways" Tucked in Midst of Civic Activity and Bearing Title of "Place" Unknown to Most of Citizens

[Editor's Note: This is one of a series of articles appearing in the Courier-Post revealing the location, description and history of little-known streets in Camden.]

By E. ALLEN HUGHES

City streets of Camden little known except to those whose homes are near them have been unofficially transformed into havens for children who have no neighborhood playgrounds. A tour through the city reveals no less than 10 such hideaways in the older sections of the city bearing the dignified title of "place."

Included in the list of these court-like byways whose names may sound entirely strange to residents are Albert place, Bella place, Barton place, Girard place, Fulton place, Rex place, Carter place, Narkley [sic] place, Judson place and Newkirk place.

With the exception of Markley place and Rex place, all the designated "places" have dead ends and go nowhere. Most of them have secluded miniature courtlike areas shaded by surrounding buildings that provide relief from traffic and usual street noises.

Entrance to Theatre

Residents during the late 90's and in the first two decades of the present century will remember the long trailing vehicles that transported stage scenery and "props" through Markley place to the rear of the old Templeman theatre and also the use of the Camden bridge at Sixth street, is visible to the millions of motorists crossing the span.

Rex place, resembling in appearance to an English courtyard, is the arched entrance to the Masons temple, in the heart of the oldest section of the city, north of the new postoffice building east from Third street. Here the entrance offers shade and cooling air that passers-by often are seen halted under the archway in warm weather. The rear of the arch opens into a court in which are located several unpretentious homes.

The smallest and most attractive of these miniature plazas is Judson place, the entrance of which is on the north side of Stevens street, between West and Fifth. More secluded from the bustle of traffic are two small homes shielded from the main thoroughfare by larger houses. No vehicles violate the quietude of this haven which, save for a meager glimpse from Stevens street, is entirely hidden from view of passers-by.

Enjoyed by Children

Chief among the spots chosen by neighborhood children for play is Girard place, located in the congested section of South Camden. Entrance to the place is made from St. John street between Spruce street and Newton avenue. Children daily make merry in this secluded spot, unthreatened by automobile or commercial vehicles.

Bella place, between Seventh and Eighth streets, north of Spruce, boasts a wide section of paved street ample for various children's games. Here are located six homes built in an ell-shaped court offering seclusion and quietude.

Three of the "places" where homes formerly stood are now abandoned for that purpose and are now occupied by garages and automobile repair shops. These include Carter place, adjacent to the Masonic Temple, and Newkirk place on Haddon street, which has its entrance on Haddon avenue near Kaighn, and Division street, with an entrance on Division street east of Eighth.

City planners who directed the layout of these out-of-the-way courts may have seen the necessity for "dead end" streets as a means of keeping children from traffic strewn thoroughfares. It is possible, however, the buildings on the sites were merely to occupy as much of the building sites as possible. Whatever the reason, children of today are benefited most in that they can run and play in these remote hide-outs.

The next article in this series will concern little known "Alleys" in various sections of Camden.

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Note: When published, the photos were on the wrong sides. How they are pictured above is correct.

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Little Known City Streets Revealed as Safety Havens For Myriads of Children Ten Obscure "Hideaways" Tucked in Midst of Civic Activity and Bearing Title of "Place" Unknown to Most of Citizens [Editor's Note: This is one of a series of articles appearing in the Courier-Post revealing the location, description and history of little-known streets in Camden.] By E. ALLEN HUGHES City streets of Camden little known except to those whose homes are near them have been unofficially transformed into havens for children who have no neighborhood playgrounds. A tour through the city reveals no less than 10 such hideaways in the older sections of the city bearing the dignified title of "place." Included in the list of these court-like byways whose names may sound entirely strange to residents are Albert place, Bella place, Barton place, Girard place, Fulton place, Rex place, Carter place, Narkley place, Judson place and Newkirk place. With the exception of Markley place and Rex place, all the designated "places" have dead ends and go nowhere. Most of them have secluded miniature courtlike areas shaded by surrounding buildings that provide relief from traffic and usual street noises. Entrance to Theatre Residents during the late 90's and in the first two decades of the present century will remember the long trailing vehicles that transported stage scenery and "props" through Markley place to the rear of the old Templeman theatre and also the use of the Camden bridge at Sixth street, is visible to the millions of motorists crossing the span. Rex place, resembling in appearance to an English courtyard, is the arched entrance to the Masons temple, in the heart of the oldest section of the city, north of the new postoffice building east from Third street. Here the entrance offers shade and cooling air that passers-by often are seen halted under the archway in warm weather. The rear of the arch opens into a court in which are located several unpretentious homes. The smallest and most attractive of these miniature plazas is Judson place, the entrance of which is on the north side of Stevens street, between West and Fifth. More secluded from the bustle of traffic are two small homes shielded from the main thoroughfare by larger houses. No vehicles violate the quietude of this haven which, save for a meager glimpse from Stevens street, is entirely hidden from view of passers-by. Enjoyed by Children Chief among the spots chosen by neighborhood children for play is Girard place, located in the congested section of South Camden. Entrance to the place is made from St. John street between Spruce street and Newton avenue. Children daily make merry in this secluded spot, unthreatened by automobile or commercial vehicles. Bella place, between Seventh and Eighth streets, north of Spruce, boasts a wide section of paved street ample for various children's games. Here are located six homes built in an ell-shaped court offering seclusion and quietude. Three of the "places" where homes formerly stood are now abandoned for that purpose and are now occupied by garages and automobile repair shops. These include Carter place, adjacent to the Masonic Temple, and Newkirk place on Haddon street, which has its entrance on Haddon avenue near Kaighn, and Division street, with an entrance on Division street east of Eighth. City planners who directed the layout of these out-of-the-way courts may have seen the necessity for "dead end" streets as a means of keeping children from traffic strewn thoroughfares. It is possible, however, the buildings on the sites were merely to occupy as much of the building sites as possible. Whatever the reason, children of today are benefited most in that they can run and play in these remote hide-outs. The next article in this series will concern little known "Alleys" in various sections of Camden.