Clay Street

February 3, 2024 · Updated June 16, 2026 · 3 min read · Streets

Clay Street, in Camden's 5th Ward, ran west from the 900 block of South 2nd Street to South Front Street. The street does not appear in the 1891 Sanborn Map, and has no listings in the 1887–1888, 1888–1889, or 1890–1891 City Directories. Its origins appear tied to the construction of the Public Service Corporation of New Jersey's gas plant on the east side of South 2nd Street between Cherry and Walnut Streets in the 1890s. A twin home of brick construction had been put up at 122 and 124 Clay Street by 1896. By 1906 Public Service had built a large storehouse and stables for its horses on the north side of Clay Street, and the S. Canning Childs grocery firm had a warehouse whose rear entrance was on the south side, at 116 Clay Street. Contractor William H. Doherty had a large building at the rear of his property at 133 Walnut Street that had access to Clay Street.

It is quite probable that the houses on Clay Street were built at the same time as 121, 123, 125 and 127 Walnut Street, and that it was William H. Doherty who had them erected. William H. Doherty owned land in the 100 block of Walnut Street as early as 1890, and made his home in that block of Walnut Street until he passed away in 1901.

Late in 1908 Clay Street became front page news when a resident was thought to have leprosy. No residences were recorded on Clay Street in City Directories after 1908, although newspaper articles indicate that there were residents there as late as 1912.

No homes or businesses had addresses on Clay Street in the 1923 or later Camden City Directories.

Clay Street was officially extinguished by the City of Camden in October of 1974. All physical traces of Clay Street are gone.

1906 Sanborn Map showing Clay Street between South 2nd Street and Front Street — 1906 Sanborn Map showing Clay Street running between South 2nd Street and South Front Street.

1906 Sanborn Map detail of Clay Street — 1906 Sanborn Map — detail of Clay Street.

1914 map showing Clay Street, Camden NJ — Clay Street — "inside the box." Map published in 1914.

Clay Street 100 Block

116 Clay Street

1906: Public Service Corporation storehouse and stables (north side); S. Canning Childs grocery warehouse — rear entrance (south side).

122 Clay Street

1895: Real Estate Investment Co. (W. A. Davis, Harry W. Boureau, George Zollers). 1898–1900: George Brady and Family; George and Henrietta Brady. 1899: Jacob Harris; Josephine Harris. 1900: William Harding. 1900–1901: George Rocker. 1902: John Harris. 1903: John E. Harris; Evelina Harris. 1906: Charles Johnson. 1907–1908: Prince Clark and Family; Charles Clark.

124 Clay Street

1896–1897: Real Estate Investment Co. (W. A. Davis, Harry W. Boureau, George Zollers). 1896: Allan Newman; Kate Newman. 1898: Joseph Cornish; Sarah Cornish. 1900: William Black and Family; William and Ella Black; Virginia R. Cannon (stepdaughter); Andrew Rawles (boarder). 1901: William Hatchett and Family; William and Daisy Hatchett; Marie, Leroy and Florence Hatchett. 1902: William Chase; Peter Keets. 1904–1907: James R. Daniels. 1909–1910: Russell Davis and Family; Russell and Essie Davis. 1910: Lewis Ford (bootblack). 1912: Arminto Degrello.

Arch Street

Arch Street ran from Delaware Avenue to North 5th Street between Federal and Market Streets in downtown Camden. Formerly known as Plum Street, it was home to Oetzel's Saloon, the Genova Cafe, the Collings Carriage Company, and the Camden Fire Department headquarters at 5th and Arch.

August 4, 2021

An Ordinance Releasing and Extinguishing the Public Rights in Clay Street — Camden Courier-Post, October 12, 1974

Clay Street Extinguished

The City of Camden ordinance releasing and extinguishing the public rights in Clay Street between South Second Street and Front Street, as part of the City Centre urban renewal project. Camden Courier-Post, October 12, 1974.

October 12, 1974

Four Youngsters Are Victims of Injuries

Four children in Camden are treated at hospitals after separate accidents in a single day: William Goll of Carman Street (motorcycle), Dorothy Sheeley of Berkley Street (go-cart), Arminto Degrello of 124 Clay Street (fall from chair), and Charles Travene of Spruce Street (wagon). Camden Daily Courier, June 11, 1912.

June 11, 1912