Camden Streets - Decatur Street

DECATUR STREET is named for American Naval hero Commodore Stephen Decatur, who played a decisive role in the War of 1812 and in America's war with Muslim pirates operating out of Tripolia nd other ports in North Africa. Decatur is also known for his quote "...our country right or wrong."

Decatur Street runs from Mount Ephraim Avenue on a straight line roughly north-east towards Haddon Avenue, stopping before the railroad tracks that run parallel to Haddon Avenue at that point. Development began around the turn of the century, and the street was for the most part completely built up by 1950. Many of the early residents of Decatur Street were of Polish descent, and were members of St. Joseph's Church at 10th and Mechanic Streets. Like virtually all other streets in Camden, Decatur Street was always ethnically, if not racially, mixed.

Decatur Street is for the most part residential. The South Camden Bakery was located in the 1200 block at one time, and at the intersection of Norris and Decatur at one time held a grocery, a bar, and a social club. The Victory Cafe stood at 1301 Decatur Street, the 13th Ward Democrat Club was across the street at 1302, and a grocery was located at 1299 Decatur Street. Bar owner Edward Zajac, who boxed professionally out of Camden as Eddie Chaney, lived at 1287 Decatur Street. The most notable building on Decatur Street was St. Joseph's High School.

Shortly after World War II, St. Joseph's High School was erected at the corner of Mount Ephraim and Decatur Street. The school was abandoned by the Diocese of Camden around 1979, and stood vacant and open to the elements, drug dealers, squatters, and other undesirables for many years before it was acquired and converted into the Dayton Manor nursing home. The presence of the empty building, combined with the flood of drugs into Camden in the mid-1980s, and other social factors combined to the overall decline of Decatur Street and the surrounding neighborhood.

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

Phil Cohen

1200 Block of Decatur Street
	1200 Decatur Street May 15, 2005
	1200 Decatur Street May 15, 2005
	1220 Decatur Street Robert Knighton Camden Courier-Post August 8, 1933
	1215 Decatur Street 1936 Mrs. Mary Lisowski 1936 Stanley Wojciechowski
	1255 Decatur Street 1929-1933 Fred Klosterman
	1259 Decatur Street 1950s Frank & Angelina DeNinno
STORES, HOMES LOOTED; RADIO, PENNIES TAKEN Burglars who broke into two stores and a private home Thursday night got exactly $2.50, a radio, and some cigars for their trouble. At the store of Basile Constantine, 402 Berkley Street, cigars valued at $1.50 were stolen by the intruders, who forced a rear shutter. Michael Kelly, of 11 South Fourth Street, reported his store was broken Into and $2.50 in pennies stolen. Entrance was gained through a rear window. James Hayes, of 1287 Decatur Street, told the police his radio set was stolen by the thieves after they entered his house through a rear window. Detectives Clarence Arthur and Clifford Carr are investigating..	1287 Decatur Street 19333 James Hayes Camden Courier-Post June 17, 1933
	1287 Decatur Street Eddie Chaney
	1291 Decatur Street 1933 John Capello
	1293 Decatur Street 1933 Jennie Barriger
	1295 Decatur Street
	1296 Decatur Street
	1297 Decatur Street
	1299 Decatur Street 1947 Santo Ardire grocery

1300 Block of Decatur Street
	1301 & 1303 Decatur Street October 5, 2003
	1301 Decatur Street The Victory Cafe
	1302 Decatur Street 13th Ward Democrat Club
	1307 & 1309 Decatur Street February 22, 2004
	1307 & 1309 Decatur Street February 22, 2004
	Decatur Street February 22, 2004
	Decatur Street February 22, 2004
	Decatur Street February 22, 2004
	Decatur Street February 22, 2004
	Decatur Street February 22, 2004
	Decatur Street February 22, 2004