Carman Street is thought to have been named after William Carman, who owned a home at the southwest corner of Broadway and Federal Street in Camden, New Jersey. His house, which was erected in 1830, was notable for its position on an elevation about 15 to 20 feet above street level. This residence remained a fixture of the area for over 70 years, until it was demolished in 1902 to make way for the construction of the Munger and Long Department Store. In the 1920s, this department store became the Stecker Department Store, and later it was transformed into a J.C. Penney location. However, by 1965, the building was torn down to make space for the Commerce Building, an eight-story office building with stores on its ground floor.
Originally, Carman Street was a modest road located one block south of Federal Street. It stretched from Broadway to South 8th Street, marking a key downtown area. Across the Cooper River, in what was historically known as Stockton Township, Carman Street reemerged and extended from 15th Street all the way to 31st Street, where it terminated at Woodrow Wilson High School. A particularly interesting fact about this portion of Carman Street is that the section east of South 27th Street, which had been laid out before Camden annexed Stockton Township, was originally named Dover Street. This is evidenced by maps of the area from as far back as 1914.
Over the years, urban development in downtown Camden led to the gradual disappearance of Carman Street. The last section of the street in the downtown area vanished with the demolition of the Midway Theater, which was replaced by the Walter Rand Transportation Center. This section of Carman Street had historically been largely residential, though there were a few notable businesses. One of the most well-known establishments was Roy Steele’s Tavern, located at 560 Carman Street. The tavern operated from the 1930s through the 1960s and was a popular local spot during that time.
In East Camden, Carman Street passed through an industrial area that was home to several significant factories and businesses. The Stelwagon Manufacturing Company, located at 1600 Carman Street, specialized in producing roofing materials, while the Bell & Evans Company operated a large poultry processing plant at 1610-1644 Carman Street. Additionally, factories with addresses on Federal Street and the surrounding cross streets had frontage on Carman Street. One prominent example is the Iowa Soap Company, situated between 16th and 17th Streets, which was later known as the Concord Chemical factory after the 1960s.
Beyond 19th Street, Carman Street transitioned from an industrial zone to a residential area, with houses lining the street for the remainder of its length, aside from a few small businesses that dotted the area. The street remains largely residential to this day, except for a handful of small enterprises.
One of the most historically significant buildings along Carman Street is located at the intersection of South 27th Street and Carman Street. The property at 60 South 27th Street served as a funeral home for many years. Originally operated by James R. Sudler, the business was later taken over by Clarence J. Eichel, a local resident who grew up nearby at 3038 Stevens Street. Eichel eventually became a partner in the business and later its owner. Under his leadership, the funeral home was relocated to Pennsauken, New Jersey, where it continued to operate as the Eichel Funeral Home, which was still in business as of 2024.
Carman Street's evolution reflects the broader changes that have taken place in Camden over the decades, with the street transitioning from a vital residential and industrial hub to a site of redevelopment and urban renewal. The various businesses, landmarks, and historical figures associated with Carman Street offer a glimpse into the city’s rich history and the many layers of development that have shaped it over time.
Location
Related Photos
Related Articles
-
George D. Haley
George Denniston Haley was born on June 14, 1848, in New York City, NY. Orphaned at birth, he never knew his parents’ names — a fact confirmed in his Civil War pension records and on his death certificate, where his eldest son, George Jr., left the parental information blank. At just 14 years old, George…
-
Carman Street
Carman Street is thought to have been named after William Carman, who owned a home at the southwest corner of Broadway and Federal Street in Camden, New Jersey. His house, which was erected in 1830, was notable for its position on an elevation about 15 to 20 feet above street level. This residence remained a…
-
A Kelly Family History
by William Roles Kelly My Paternal Grandparents My Maternal Grandparents: Milton A. Kelly and Charlotte R. Kelly I don’t remember a great deal about my grandfather, for he died in ’32 when I was barely 4 years old. But I do recall him as a smiling and gentle man. My memory is of a strong…
-
Milton Kelly Family
Before Camden The Milton Kelly family’s Camden story is similar to many others, in that they came to Camden prior to World War I and left during the Vietnam years. There were a number of Kelly families in Camden, typically of Irish descent, but this particular Kelly family can trace their roots through records all…
-
Boyd Street
Boyd Street, located in East Camden, runs parallel to Marlton Avenue from Carman Street to the city limits in Pennsauken. During the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, Boyd Street gained notoriety as part of the open-air drug market known as “the Alley.” This market centered on an alley, one end of which was located…
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.