Camden Streets - Broadway

Streets
of
Camden, NJ

Broadway

BROADWAY in Camden..... a legendary street, once the "Mall of South Jersey". Running south between 5th and 6th Streets all the way to Gloucester City, and eventually on to Woodbury, Broadway was extended north from its beginning at Market Street through to the Delaware River (Ben Franklin) Bridge toll plaza in the 1920s.

When Camden began its period of industrial growth and expansion after the Civil War, the intersections of Broadway and Federal Street, Broadway and Kaighn Avenue, and Broadway and Ferry Avenue became anchor locations in the civic and commercial life of Camden and the surrounding areas. Homes and businesses soon filled in the "empty spaces" between these intersections. During the 1890s and the first two decades of the 20th Century, Camden-based contractor John J. Welsh was known in the city as "the man who built Broadway", as his firm was involved with a great many projects along the thoroughfare. Brothers George M. Holl and Lewis F. Holl also completed many projects during these years. James H. Reeve, who had worked for Welsh as a foreman, remodeled many of the homes, including those on the Holl Block, between Stevens and Mickle Streets, for business purposes. Reeve and his sons also built three theatres on Broadway, the Lyric, the Towers, and the Princess.

When Camden began its economic decline in the 1950s, Broadway suffered right along with it. Broadway became in many ways the symbol of Camden's economic fall. Although there have been some new buildings erected in recent years, most significantly the Walter Rand Transportation Center between Broadway and Mickle Streets, far too much of Broadway in June of 2004 consists of vacant lots and boarded up buildings.

Do you have a Broadway memory or picture? Let me know by e-mail so it can be included here.

Phil Cohen

200 Block North Broadway
Penn Street South to Cooper Street

Looking South
on Broadway
from the Bridge Plaza

1930s

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The Intersection of
Broadway
&
Penn Street

1930s

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The Intersection of
Broadway
&
Penn Street

1930s

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Broadway at the Bridge Plaza
early 1950s

The White Tower Restaurant, seen from above on the south-
west corner of Broadway and Penn Street, was located here for many years.
In these times a car could turn left from Broadway to get onto the bridge.

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200 North Broadway

Walt Whitman Hotel

1950s

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Broadway
North of Cooper Street

200 North Broadway
Walt Whitman Hotel

Circa 1926

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North Broadway
&
Cooper Street
circa 1930
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North Broadway
&
Cooper Street
circa 1930

The traffic signal
in the foreground
was installed in 1928

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200 North Broadway

James V. McFadden
Walt Whitman Hotel
Pharmacy

1950s

200 North Broadway

Camden County College
Urban Extension Campus
2004

Architect's Conception of Proposed Bus Terminal

The above drawing shows the proposed bus terminal to be built on the block bordered by Broadway, Sixth Street, Cooper Street and Lawrence Street. Two two-story buildings, 128 feet long and 28 feet deep, to be erected, one facing on Broadway and the other on Sixth street. Between the two buildings there will be a 67-foot street from Cooper to Lawrence Street where buses will take on and leave passengers.

201-217 North Broadway

The Terminal Block

Camden Courier-Post
October 27, 1931

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201-217 North Broadway

The Terminal Block

1947-2000

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215 North Broadway

Pennsylvania Credit
& Discounting Corporation

Courier-Post Advertisement
June 12, 1933

213 North Broadway

Sam Bosco's
Barber Parlor

Bus Terminal Building

mid 1950s - mid 1970s

Courier-Post Advertisement
February 1, 1933

213 North Broadway

Bernkof-KutnerCamden Courier-Post Ad
May 19, 1964

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213 North Broadway

Bernkof-Kutner
mid 1950s - mid 1970s

Courier-Post Advertisement
July 31, 1969

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222-230 North Broadway

Garden State Liquors

251 North Broadway

White Tower

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100 Block North Broadway Cooper Street South to Market Street
	100 Block North Broadway ....as seen from the roof of the Munger & Long Building on the south-east corner of Broadway and Federal Street. The Camden Trust building at Broadway and Market Street is still under construction in this photo, from 1928 Click on Image to Enlarge
	100 Block North Broadway Photo from about 1940 of the Camden Trust building at NE corner of Broadway and Market Street, and at the far right the Savar Theater. Just visible at far left is the Stanley Theater. Click on Image to Enlarge Click Here to Supersize Image
	Broadway & Market Street September 1955 Photo from about 1955 of the Stanley Theater at the NW corner of Broadway and Market Street. The Camden Trust bank building on the corner of Broadway and Market, and at the far right the Savar Theater are also visible. Click on Image to Enlarge
	Northwest Corner of North Broadway & Market Street Stanley Theater 1926 or 1927 The Stanley Theater was razed in 1965 to make way for a Holiday Inn which was never built. Click on Image to Enlarge
	114-122 North Broadway The Franklin Building
	129 North Broadway First Camden National Bank & Trust A contract was let in December 1927 for the construction of this building Click on Image to Enlarge
	122-136 Broadway The Wilson Building Click on Image to Enlarge
	136 Broadway Weitzman Liquors Camden Courier-Post February 28, 1936
	136 Broadway Weitzman Liquors Click on Image to Enlarge

Unit Block North Broadway Market Street South to Federal Street
	Camden County Courthouse Built in in 1853 and demolished in 1904 to make way for the second courthouse, its location on Broadway between Federal and Market Street ensured the importance of the intersection. Click on Image to Enlarge
	Camden County Courthouse A view of the courthouse looking northwest from across Federal Street at Broadway. Click on Image to Enlarge
	Camden County Courthouse1906 Click on Image to Enlarge
	Camden County Courthouse 1904 Click on Image to Enlarge
	Unit and 100 Blocks North Broadway 1928 This photo was taken from the roof of the Munger & Long building on the south-east corner of Broadway and Federal Street. On Left: the Camden County Courthouse, across Market Street, the Stanley Theater. On Right: Camden Catholic High School, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The Camden Trust building across Market Street, still under construction in this photo; the Wilson Building, and the Walt Whitman Hotel, at Broadway & Cooper Streets. Click on Image to Enlarge
	Camden County Courthouse 1930s Click on Image to Enlarge
	Lit Brothers Department Store 1962 Click on Image to Enlarge
	Camden County Offices
	Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Click on Image to Enlarge
	Catholic Lyceum later known as Camden Catholic High School Click on Image to Enlarge
	Camden Catholic High School 1940s Click on Image to Enlarge

Intersection of Broadway & Federal Street
Broadway & Federal Street - Through the Years

Unit Block of Broadway Federal Street South to Mickle Boulevard
	Looking South from Federal Street, 1890s Elks Home is on right Construction to elevate Railroad tracks began in 1902 Click on Image to Enlarge
	Looking South from Federal Street, about 1915 Elks Home is on right, Munger & Long Building on left Click on Image to Enlarge
	Looking South from Federal Street, 1930s The Elks Home had been replaced by a block of stores, including MAB Paint, King's Jewelers, and Horn & Hardart at right, the Munger & Long Building on left Click on Image to Enlarge
	1-11 Broadway Munger & Long 1904-1926 Stecker 1926-1930s & J.C. Penney 1930-1960s Mid-1900s Click on Image to Enlarge
	1-11 Broadway Munger & Long, Stecker, & J.C. Penney Department Store Mid-1900s Click on Image to Enlarge
	1-11 Broadway Munger & Long, Stecker, & J.C. Penney Department Store 1928 Click on Image to Enlarge
	1-11 Broadway J.C. Penney Company Courier-Post Avertisement March 11, 1942
	1-11 Broadway Commerce Building April 2003 The Commerce Building, at the corner of Broadway & Federal Streets, sits on the land formerly occupied by the Munger & Long building, the home of the J.C. Penney store in Camden for many years. By the mid 1990s the building had very few tenants. Structurally sound, it is one of the very few pre-1980s building left standing on the ground between Mickle and Federal Street west of 10th Street. Click on Image to Enlarge
	2 to 20 Broadway Late 1920s Click on Image to Enlarge The large building at the far right on Broadway was the Merchants Trust bank.
	2 to 14 Broadway 1937 Click on Image to Enlarge It's worth noting that by the time this photo was taken in the fall of 1937, the trolley tracks evident in the picture above had been removed.
	2 Broadway M.A. Bruder Paint Store Camden Courier-Post Advertisement 1930s
	4 Broadway King Optical Company Camden Courier-Post Ad October 26, 1931
	4 Broadway King Optical Company Camden Courier-Post Ad March 28, 1932
COP ON LEDGE THRILLS HUNDREDS DRAWN BY FALSE BURGLAR ALARM Several hundred persons, attracted by the loud ringing of a burglar alarm at the King jewelry store, 4 Broadway, watched Patrolman John V. Wilkie last night as he climbed over the roof of the building and across a narrow ledge to an open second story window to investigate the alarm. Failing to find anyone, Wilkie climbed back, over the ledge to the roof after finding himself locked in the building. A score of police detectives and motorcycle patrolmen answered the alarm. William Schoeffling, manager of the jewelry concern, was notified of the "false alarm."	4 Broadway Camden Courier-Post August 16, 1933
	4 Broadway King's Jewelers Camden Courier-Post October 3, 1936
	4 Broadway King's Jewelers Camden Courier-Post October 27, 1955
	12 Broadway 2nd Floor Harry B. Levis, Inc. Stationary Camden Courier-Post October 13, 1931
	12 Broadway 2nd Floor Dave Levine & Co. Men's Quality Clothes Camden Courier-Post December 1941
	14-16 Broadway Horn & Hardart Automat Restaurant 1930s through 1956 This ad is for the H&H retail store at 16 Broadway in 1945, at that same location was an "Automat" which for it's time was a great quickie place to get a meal, I guess maybe the first real fast food place. I can remember going in there and being amazed at all the little glass doors with food behind them, I guess for a buck Dad could feed the whole family. What memories! Fred Dunajek November 2004
	16-18 Broadway Victory Billiard & Pool Table Co. Camden Courier-Post February 29, 1936
	17 Broadway Harvey Sharpless, 1879-1900s Click on Image to Enlarge
	17 Broadway William Morgenweck 1900s-1930 Tailor & Dry Cleaner Click on Image to Enlarge
	17 Broadway William Morgenweck 1900s-1930 Tailor & Dry Cleaner Click on Image to Enlarge
	18 Broadway Casper T. Sharpless 1878-1911 Click on Image to Enlarge
	18 Broadway Merchants Trust 1912-1919 Click on Image to Enlarge
	20 Broadway Merchants Trust 1919-late 1920s 1919 Camden High School Purple & Gold Yearbook Ad Click on Image to Enlarge
	20 Broadway Merchants Trust 1919-late 1920s Broadway Theater 1933-1950 Midway Theater 1951-late 1970s Click on Image to Enlarge
	20 Broadway Broadway Theater 1933-1950 Click on Image to Enlarge Photo is from 1941. This was double feature. The second film on the bill was Six Lessons From Madame La Zonga
	20 Broadway Midway Theater 1951-late 1970s Click on Image to Enlarge Photo is from 1973. Another double feature. BLADE is a detective movie that featured many actors who were well known on television through the 70s and 80s and beyond. SOMETHING CREEPING IN THE DARK was made in Italy in 1971 and was called Qualcosa striscia nel buio. It was the third of several films actor Farley Granger made in Italy. Granger is best remembered for Strangers on a Train, Rope, and The Purple Heart.
Intersection of Broadway & Carman Street
WALLET STOLEN FROM CAR While Edward Tracy's automobile was parked on Broadway near Carman Street Saturday night a wallet containing business cards and driver's license was stolen. Tracy lives at 55 Williams Avenue, Barrington..	Camden Courier-Post June 12, 1933
	21 Broadway 1 1900s-1910 Dr. A. Haines Lippincott 1910s-1915 John H. Heaton Piano Company 1915-1923 Robert D. Clow Jr. Real Estate & Insurance
	21 Broadway Donald's Inc. ladies' hats Camden Courier-Post October 21, 1931
	21 Broadway Orchid Beauty Salon 1933 Camden Courier-Post August 16, 1933
	23 Broadway 1906 Camden Commercial College
	23 Broadway 1912 The Goff Building Camden Post-Telegram Advertisement October 14, 1912 Improved Order of Red Men Julius Guyn James J. Lovern
	23 Broadway Mair H. Auerbach Camden Courier-Post Advertisement October 23, 1931
	25 Broadway Vanity Shoppe August 1, 1936
	25½ Broadway Horn & Hardart 1959 to 1960s
	24-26 Broadway C.R. Ely Inc. Ford 1910s-1920s This agency was open as late as 1924, by 1927 the Danenhower Motors Co. Chrysler agency was at this location.
	24 Broadway Danenhower Motor Company Chrysler Dealership Camden Courier-Post January 24, 1928 This business had closed by September, 1928
	24-28 Broadway Myers & Lappin Department Store Grand Opening September 1, 1928 September 1928 to at least October of 1936
	24-26 Broadway Myers & Lappin Department Store Camden Courier-Post September 12, 1929 By the end of the first year in business, Myers & Lappin consolidated their store, and the building was subdivided. The building was reconfigured several times over the following decades. Click on Image to Enlarge
	24 Broadway Heritage Bank Branch 26-28 Broadway Tappin's Inc. Jewelers Michael Pepe 30-36 Broadway High Speed Line Station 1970s Click on Image to Enlarge
	27 Broadway S.R. Franklin & Son 1919 Camden High School Purple & Gold Yearbook
	28 Broadway John Gillette Inc. Red Cross Shoes 1942 Click on Image to Enlarge
30 ROUTED BY FIRE Fire in an air conditioning duct at-the Metro Luncheonette, 29 S. Broadway, Thursday night routed 30 patrons. District Fire Chief Thomas Winstanley said the, blaze was confined to the duct and apparently was started by a lighted cigarette tossed into the duct.	29 Broadway Metro Luncheonette Camden Courier-Post June 10, 1960
	33 Broadway Dr. Samuel M. Rubinstein optometrist 1910s-1920s 1919 Camden High School Purple & Gold Yearbook

100 Block of Broadway Pennsylvania Railroad tracks South to Mickle Street
	Broadway & Mickle Street as seen looking South from in front of 106 Broadway November 11, 1954 At far left, 110 Broadway (Curran's Shoe Store). At far right, 107 1/2 Broadway (Saiia Florist) and 109 Broadway (Walton hardware). Stevens building has lights on at rear left. Click on Image to Enlarge
	Broadway & Mickle Street as seen looking Northwest from the Stevens Building, 1936 The elevated railroad track was known as the Chinese Wall. For many years Joseph Tisa had a shoeshine stand under the tracks. Click on Image to Enlarge
	104 Broadway 1947 Sun Shoe Repair
	105 Broadway 1947 The Hat Box
	106 Broadway 1926 Welcome Hall
	106 Broadway 1920-1936 Dr. John E.L. Van Sciver
	106 Broadway 1936-1950s Superior Life Health & Accident Insurance Company Lester R. Dilts Here's an item that shows that my Uncle, Lester R. Dilts, had an office at 106 S. Broadway, at least in the late '30's into the early '50's. He and his staff not only represented Superior Life Insurance CO., but also the Home Insurance Company of New York, which was much like current Homeowner's insurance. I have many memories, as a young boy, from the office windows, watching train traffic crossing Broadway on the old bridge (viaduct) right outside the window! Curt Parrish
	106 Broadway 1947 House of Charm gift shop
	107 Broadway 1936-1947 Schomer & Berman shoe store
	107 1/2 Broadway 1947 John P Saiia florist
	108 Broadway 1936-1947 Modern Restaurant Peter Pappas
	109 Broadway 1936-1947 Alfred W. Walton & Sons Co. Hardware
	109 1/2 Broadway 1947 Father & Son Shoe Store
	110 Broadway 1906 John Bray grocer
	110 Broadway 1914-1919 Bray & Gulick grocers Mrs. Anna Bray, Harley Gulick & Walter Gulick 1919 Camden High School Purple & Gold Yearbook
	110 Broadway Curran's Shoe Store Robert J. Curran Camden Courier-Post Advertisement October 23, 1931 Curran's was open on Broadway as early as October 1924 and as late as the fall of 1970.
	110 Broadway Curran's Shoe Store Robert J. Curran Camden Courier-Post Ad October 27, 1955 Curran's was open on Broadway as early as October 1924 and as late as the fall of 1970.
	111 Broadway Brait's Mens furnishings
	The 100 Block of Broadway lay between the Speed Line to Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks that ran up Mickle Street up until the 1960s. The widened Mickle Boulevard occupies the land once referred to as the 100 Block of Broadway.

1936
Looking South on Broadway
From Elevated Railroad Tracks at Mickle Street

On left 200 to 222 Broadway, known as the Holl Block. The 12 story Stevens Building was at 300 Broadway, is gone; the site made into a parking lot.

On Right, Broadway beginning at 201, which was at the time the home of Borstein Electric. It had been the home and place of business of Roy R Stewart, Mayor of Camden from 1931 to 1935. In 1936 Roy R. Stewart's business was at 203.

The second building is the Grand Theater. The movie playing was the 1936 release "The Princess Comes Across", a comedy starring Carole Lombard and Fred McMurray.

Click on Image to Enlarge

200 Block of Broadway Mickle Street South to Stevens Street
	200 to 222 Broadway (as seen from Stevens Street) The Holl Block Built by George M. Holl and his brother, Lewis F. Holl, it was razed in 1942 to make way for a strip of stores that are still in use today Click on Image to Enlarge
	200 to 222 Broadway (as seen from elevated railroad tracks at Mickle Street - 1936) The Holl Block & the Stevens Building By 1936 the first floor awnings of the Holl Block were gone, as were the decorations on the roof. Occupying the first floor of the 12-story Stevens Building was the Futernick's, a popular dry goods store from the 1930s through mid 1950s. Click on Image to Enlarge
	200 Broadway George W. Kephart From 1911 t0 1916 George W. Kephart operated a funeral home at this address. In 1917 he moved to 602 Broadway . Click on Image to Enlarge
	200 Broadway 1930s to 1942 Lucas Brothers Florists This business moved to 826 Market Street when the Holl Block was razed in 9142.
	200 to 222 Broadway Looking North from Stevens Street April 2003 Click on Image to Enlarge
	200 to 222 Broadway Looking South from Mickle Boulevard April 2003 Click on Image to Enlarge
	201-203 Broadway Mayor Roy R Stewart 1919 Camden High School Purple & Gold Yearbook Ad Click on Image to Enlarge
	201-219 Broadway 1936
	201-203 Broadway Mayor Roy R Stewart Click on Image to Enlarge
	201-203 Broadway Mayor Roy R Stewart 1941
	201 Broadway Borstein Electric
	201 Broadway Borstein Electric
	201 to 205 Broadway Broadway Eddie's
	206 Broadway City Shoe Repairing Camden Courier-Post Ad October 22, 1931
	207 Broadway Grand Theater 1941 Click on Image to Enlarge
	207 Broadway Grand Theater Click on Image to Enlarge
	208 Broadway Diane Furs April 1959 Banquet Program Ad Click on Image to Enlarge
	209 to 105 Broadway as seen from Stevens Building 1936 The elevated railroad track was known as the Chinese Wall Click on Image to Enlarge
	201 to 219 Broadway Grand Theater as seen from the Stevens Building 300 Broadway 1945 Click on Image to Enlarg3
	208 Broadway Diane Furs 1950s-1960s Camden Courier-Post Ad May 19, 1964
	210 Broadway Camden Camera Shop Louis Beltz 1940s-1960s Camden Courier-Post Ad October 27, 1955
	210 Broadway Camden Camera Camden Courier-Post Ad May 19, 1964
	211 Broadway Late 1930s - Late 1940s Style Nook Louis Berkowitz Click on Image to Enlarge
	213 Broadway Vanity Shoppe 1938-1947 Click on Image to Enlarge
	215 Broadway Futernick's Ladies Furnishings & Trimmings 1919 Camden High School Purple & Gold Yearbook
	215 Broadway The Studio 1931
	215 Broadway The Studio Camden Courier-Post Ad October 23, 1931
	215 Broadway John Gillette Inc. Red Cross Shoes 1947-1960s
	215 Broadway Red Cross Shoes Looking South on Broadway after big snowstorm December 15, 1960 Photograph by Bob Bartosz
	216 Broadway Broadway Pet Shop 1927-1928
	216 Broadway John C. Demmert Jewelers 1929-1933
	217 Broadway Auerbach's Walkover Shop Click on Image to Enlarge
	219 Broadway Shapiro's Corrective Shoes
	219 Broadway Shapiro's Corrective Shoes January 1, 1938
	220 Broadway Anna Tweedy February 21, 1928
	Stevens Street West of Broadway Click on Image to Enlarge
	225 Broadway July 25, 1942 The building, which had been the home from 1923 of the Camden Republican Club, was razed to make room for a new commercial building, housing two stores. Click on Image to Enlarge

Intersection of Broadway & Stevens Street
	Looking South to Intersection of Broadway & Stevens Street September 18, 1951 Click on Image to Enlarge Click Here to Supersize Image
	Stevens Street West of Broadway Click on Image to Enlarge
	225 Broadway Northwest Corner of Broadway & Stevens Street July 25, 1942 Click on Image to Enlarge
	300 Broadway Southeast Corner of Broadway & Stevens Street Stevens Building

300 Block of Broadway Stevens Street South to Benson Street
	300 Broadway Dr. Abram E. Street 1888-1928
	300 Broadway Stevens Building 1928-1990s
	300 Broadway Stevens Building Equitable Casualty & Surety Company Camden Courier-Post March 12, 1930 Stevens Building was then called the Income Insurance Building
	300 Broadway Stevens Building Camden Credit Association, Inc. Camden Courier-Post Advertisement February 20, 1936
	300 Broadway Stevens Building Richard R. Miller Inc. Photographers
	301 Broadway mid-1930s - 1960s Rolans Credit Clothing Store January 27, 1939 Banquet Program Ad
	301 Broadway Rolans Clothing and Jewelry April 1959 Banquet Program Ad <