Arlington Street in Camden, New Jersey, emerged as a microcosm of the city’s industrial history, reflecting the ebbs and flows of economic prosperity, community resilience, and urban transformation. The street’s origins date back to the late 19th century when Camden experienced rapid industrialization, attracting workers seeking employment in its bustling factories and shipyards.
The neighborhood surrounding Arlington Street thrived as a vibrant working-class community, characterized by rows of modest homes inhabited by families employed in nearby industries. Its close proximity to major employers like the Howland Croft & Sons Company textile works, Camden Brewery, and New York Shipbuilding Corporation provided residents with steady jobs and livelihoods.
One of Arlington Street’s most enduring legacies was its role in fostering a sense of camaraderie and solidarity among its residents. Families formed tight-knit bonds, sharing in both the joys and hardships of daily life. Stories abound of neighbors coming together to celebrate holidays, support one another during tough times, and build a strong sense of community spirit.
The street was also home to individuals who made significant contributions to their community and beyond. Notable figures like Howard Cassady, a Marine who served during World War I, exemplified Arlington Street’s tradition of service and sacrifice. Cassady’s tragic death from the Spanish influenza pandemic underscored the human toll of global conflicts on local communities.
Similarly, Herman G. Rohde Sr., a German immigrant who settled on Arlington Street, epitomized the spirit of hard work and perseverance. His son, Herman Rohde Jr., achieved fame as a professional wrestler, bringing recognition to Arlington Street and its residents.
However, Arlington Street faced challenges as industries declined and economic opportunities dwindled in the mid-20th century. The closure of the Welsbach and General Gas Mantle factory, coupled with environmental concerns related to radiation contamination from thorium use, marked a turning point for the neighborhood. Residents grappled with uncertainty as businesses relocated, and the once-thriving community began to decline.
Efforts to revitalize Arlington Street encountered obstacles, including vacant buildings, urban blight, and social issues like drug use and crime. Despite these challenges, former residents remained deeply connected to their neighborhood, cherishing memories of its heyday while advocating for its renewal.
Shortly before America’s entrance into World War II, the General Gas Mantle factory closed its doors. Writing on the impact of General Gas Mantle’s presence on Arlington Street, Tom Laflin of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wrote the following:
Often what may seem like a “bright” idea at the time, can later prove to be a monumental error with many unforeseen consequences.When Dr. Carl Auer von Welsbach first invented a process for making gas lanterns burn brighter in 1885, it seemed like a wonderful discovery.His process of dipping gas mantles into a thorium mixture, greatly improved gas lanterns by causing them to burn brighter and give off more light. However this use of thorium, by two gas mantle factories in New Jersey, has led to the radioactive contamination of hundreds of properties and has created an enormous challenge (for the EPA) to gather and evaluate a massive amount of data.
Tom Laflin, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The Welsbach Factory in Gloucester City, began producing thorium dipped mantles in the 1890s. It was a large manufacturing plant covering 12 acres and employing over 2,600 workers. They produced up to 220,000 gas mantles per day and 25,000 lamps. The mantles were first sewn by hand and then dipped in the thorium mixture. Each mantle was then inspected by hand and packed for shipping. The General Gas Mantle Company of Camden, New Jersey was a small competitor of Welsbach who also used the thorium process in making gas mantles.
As stated above General Gas Mantle was out business by 1941, as electric lights became more popular. As the other factories that supported the workers and their families who lived on Arlington Street closed or moved away the Eighth Ward, and Arlington Street in particular, fell on hard times. As late as 1947 Arlington Street supported atavern on its south end, known over the years as the Rosemont tavern and the Frosted Mug, and two grocery stores on the north end. Neither enterprise lasted past the early 1980s. Homes fell into disrepair, were abandoned, and became the sanctuary of drug dealers, drug addicts, and prostitutes. Meanwhile, a few homeowners, who lacked the means and resources to leave, desperately tried to maintain a life on a once-vital street.
The final blow came in the early 1990s. In 1992, the building was occupied by Ste-Lar Textiles and used as warehouse. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) examined the site and determined there was a serious environmental threat due to radiation contamination.As a first step they removed approximately 15,000 bolts of textiles contaminated with thorium. Removal of the contaminated textiles significantly reduced the potential health risks to the public in case of a fire. To protect workers and local residents, in the early 1990s, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection relocated Ste-Lar Textiles from the General Gas Mantle building and installed radiation shielding in the sidewalks and the industrial building located to the south of the former General Gas Mantle site.
Ultimately, the decision to all-but-demolish Arlington Street in 2004 marked the end of an era for this historic community. The demolition symbolized the complex interplay between industrial progress, environmental hazards, and urban redevelopment in Camden’s evolving landscape.
Today, Arlington Street’s legacy lives on through the memories of its former residents and the ongoing efforts to preserve its history amid Camden’s ever-changing urban fabric. As the city continues its journey of revitalization, Arlington Street remains a poignant reminder of the resilience and strength of its people in the face of adversity.
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