Liberty Street, an emblematic thoroughfare in Camden, New Jersey, has a rich history dating back to at least the mid-19th century. Originally listed in the 1850 Camden City Directory, its significance has endured through the decades.
During the early 20th century, the stretch of Liberty Street west of Broadway was a vibrant hub of cultural diversity. This area was home to a mosaic of ethnic communities, with residents often employed in the nearby factories and stores along Broadway and Kaighn Avenue. Across Broadway, towards 6th Street, African-American families formed an integral part of the neighborhood fabric. Notably, the Hunton Branch of the YMCA catered to the needs of the Black community, serving as a vital social and recreational center.
Reflecting Camden’s diverse tapestry, Liberty Street also hosted Jewish synagogues at different junctures, highlighting the area’s cultural dynamism. Meanwhile, between 6th and 8th Streets, Liberty Street’s landscape shifted to one dominated by factories and industrial enterprises. One prominent landmark was the former cigar factory situated at the intersection of 9th and Liberty Streets, underscoring the area’s industrial prowess.
Heading towards 10th Street, the ambiance of Liberty Street transformed into a distinctly Polish enclave. This transition was marked by the presence of St. Joseph Church, nestled between Mechanic and Liberty Streets. Serving as a spiritual and communal focal point for the Polish community, St. Joseph Church exerted a profound influence on the cultural milieu of Liberty and Mechanic Streets, extending up to their convergence at Haddon Avenue.
Location
Related Photos
Related Articles
-
Camac Street (aka Gant Street)
Gant Street was a short street that ran from Knight Street eastward to 1235 South 2nd Street, located between Liberty and Mechanic Streets. No houses were listed on Gant Street in the 1924 Camden City Directory or in any subsequent directory. It is likely that no buildings ever had a Gant Street address. The street…
-
Charles M. Gladney
Charles Miller Gladney was born in New Jersey on September 2, 1877, to George and Mary Gladney. In 1878, the family lived at 728 Mount Vernon Street, but by 1880, George, Mary, and their older son David had moved to 432 Liberty Street in Camden. During the early 1880s, the family moved frequently as George…
-
Memorial Methodist Protestant Church
313 Liberty Street, Camden, NJ The following is derived from George Reeser Prowell’s History of Camden County, New Jersey published in 1886. Memorial Methodist Protestant Church is situated on Liberty Street, above Third. Religious services of this denomination were first held weekly in Camden, in 1865, at the house of Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Salinda…
-
Arthur Colsey
Arthur Colsey, born in Kidderminster, England, in December 1872, embarked on a remarkable journey of public service and professional achievements. After joining his older brothers, John and Thomas, in America, he actively participated in the family’s thriving department store business at 9th and Market Street in Camden. In 1894, Arthur married Lillian Thompson, and their…
-
George S. Tempest
GEORGE S. TEMPEST was born in Pennsylvania in March of 1869. He lived in Philadelphia virtually his entire life. As a boy, he went to Girard College, a boarding school for poor orphaned and fatherless boys. After finishing his education he secured a position as an officer with the Philadelphia police department. When the 1900…
-
Dr. Reyouque E. H. H. Hyghcock
Looking at the newspaper articles about Dr. Hyghcock, we have the advantage of looking at this from the perspective of today, instead of “as it was happening.” Dr. Hyghcock, the self-proclaimed “Voodoo Doctor” apparently received a lot of press attention, and was arrested and/or investigated periodically for the rest of his life after the April…
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.