Columbia Avenue

October 2, 2024 · Updated June 16, 2026 · 2 min read · Streets

Columbia Avenue was a short street that ran east from North 5th Street between Arch and Market Streets, terminating at the George Genge School. This school was torn down in the late 1920s to make room for the present City Hall, and what was left of Columbia Avenue, along with all other property between Arch and Market Streets east of North 5th Street was razed in the 1930s to make space for Roosevelt Plaza park. Columbia Avenue appears in the 1867 Camden City Directory, and probably was in existence before the Civil War.

Columbia Avenue, 1885 Sanborn Map — Columbia Avenue, 1885.

Columbia Avenue, 1906 Sanborn Map — Columbia Avenue, 1906.

500 Block Columbia Avenue

500 Block of Columbia Avenue — Occupants

City directory records, 1869–1928.

511–513–515 Columbia Avenue

511–513–515 Columbia Avenue — 500 Block of Columbia Avenue — Occupants
year	name
1888–1892	William K. Heston (livery)
1893	Perry J. Tiffany (livery)
1896–1899	William H. Clements (livery)
1899	Curliss & Munter (horses); John I. Munter; William A. Curliss
1905–1920	William H. Clements (livery)
1921	Richard S. Connor (garage)
1922–1928	Columbia Garage; Frederick Plegman

518 Columbia Avenue

518 Columbia Avenue — 500 Block of Columbia Avenue — Occupants
year	name
1873	John Bodell & Family (teamster, Camden Fire Department; John & Mary Jane Bodell)

522 Columbia Avenue

522 Columbia Avenue — 500 Block of Columbia Avenue — Occupants
year	name
1874	John Bodell & Family (teamster; John & Mary Jane Bodell)

524 Columbia Avenue

524 Columbia Avenue — 500 Block of Columbia Avenue — Occupants
year	name
1906	Mrs. Hattie Wells (Philadelphia)

532 Columbia Avenue

532 Columbia Avenue — 500 Block of Columbia Avenue — Occupants
year	name
1878	George Gall & Family (laborer; George Gall Jr., laborer)
1880	Jacob Mapes & Family (brakeman; Charles Mapes, coachman; Rebecca Mapes, nurse)
1880	Leander Hyatt & Family (shoe cutter; Leander & Catherine Hyatt; William Hyatt; Lizzie Hyatt)
1881–1882	Howard H. Currie & Family (Howard H. & Rosanna Currie; Howard Lewis Currie)

533 Columbia Avenue

533 Columbia Avenue — 500 Block of Columbia Avenue — Occupants
year	name
1880	William Cooper & Family (cake baker; William & Lydia Cooper; Howard Cooper; Lillie Cooper)
1894	Bertha Johnson

535 Columbia Avenue

535 Columbia Avenue — 500 Block of Columbia Avenue — Occupants
year	name
1880	George H. Armstrong & Family (machinist; George & Anna Armstrong; Mary Armstrong; Anna Armstrong; Martha Armstrong; Harry C. Armstrong; Frank Armstrong)

Woman Injured at 524 Columbia Avenue

Mrs. Hattie Wells, 42, of Philadelphia fell down stairs at 524 Columbia Avenue, dislocating her shoulder and sustaining other serious injuries.

January 31, 1906

The Mother Opposes Marriage

Bertha Johnson, 17, of 533 Columbia Avenue swore out a warrant for Charles Mosely, 19, who she alleges is responsible for her condition. Both wish to marry but Charles's mother objects.

June 4, 1894