Streets
of
Camden, NJ

Benson Street

The freight office and freight sheds of the Pennsylvania Railroad on Second Street, between Benson and Berkeley Streets, were used for the first time in May of 1902. 

Nicholas & Tomasina
Tulini
1931

     On March 9, 1932 Nicholas Tulini was one of the fifteen workers who were killed by a  explosion at the Public Service Gas Company. 

Nicholas & Tomasina
Tulini
1931

     On March 9, 1932 Nicholas Tulini was one of the fifteen workers who were killed by a  explosion at the Public Service Gas Company. 

1947 Earl & Eva Johnson

1900s-1930s
The Andrew Corea Family
Joseph Corea

1947 Theodore Teixeira

1947 James D. Inman

1947 William M. Smith

1947 Mrs. Romona A. Greene

1947 Mrs. Grace Mayhen

The Beneditto Tisa Family
1920s-1960s

Left: Benedict and Mary Tisa - 1940s

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Like other Italian emigrants in South Camden, my grandmother worked in Campbell Soup cutting up chicken parts for soup. Despite the changes on Benson Street over the years, she refused to move and by the time she died in 1962, was the only person who spoke Italian and she spoke no English. In her later years she would sit on the steps with the neighbor African American women who spoke no English taking turns telling of the day. My grand- mother in Italian and the neighbor women in English. Don't think that either understood exactly what the other was saying...but they smiled and nodded at each others stories.      Benedict Tisa, April 2005

The Beneditto Tisa Family
From Left: Antoinette & Dominic Tisa,
Mary & Beneditto Tisa

1940s
In the backyard

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Camden Courier-Post
April 6, 1928

John W. Golden
Edward Wright
Joseph Tisso (Tisa)
Benson Street
Mickle Street
Market Street
North 2ndStreet
South 3rd Street

1947 Bernard Tisa

Late 1960s

1947 Bernard Tisa

1947 No Return

1920s-1957
The Anthony Petrillo Family

Anthony Petrillo & Lorenzina Petrillo
Rose Petrillo DiMassimo & husband Joseph John Petrillo
James Petrillo
Michael Petrillo
Frank Petrillo
Tony Petrillo
Gus Petrillo

Left: Lorenzina Petrillo

"My grandmother was known for having some of the best tomato plants on Benson Street.  She was also an excellent seamstress and her son Michael grew up to own Esquire Tailors on Westfield Avenue."- 
     Loretta Petrillo Monaghan, September 2006

Anthony & Lorenzina Petrillo
with their son
James and his bride Angeline

Michael Petrillo

1947 James Smart

1947 Jack Moreland
1947 Alice Burley

1947 Chester A. Harris

1947 Samuel Strafner

1947 Mrs. Josephine Cucinotti

1947 Buby Reed

1947 Mrs. Palma Mazzarella

1900 Rollo R. Jones
1947 Mrs. Eva Dunlap

1947 John Novelle

1947 Eugene Gibson
1947 Mrs. Retta Reed
1947 Mrs. Ethel King

PINTO STILL MISSING AFTER FLEEING COURT

Charles Pinto, 28, of 230 Benson Street, who is wanted as a material witness against Garfield Del Duca, former proprietor of the Ringside Inn, was still at large last night.

Pinto fled from Criminal Court Thursday while county Detective Fiore Troncone was on his way to the office of Justice of the Peace William F. Laird after Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Palese had ordered his arrest.

Palese alleges Pinto suddenly failed, to remember he had confessed that Del Duca was one of his companions when four automobiles, were stolen 10 years ago. Palese said somebody had talked to Pinto before he went on the witness stand.

The police believe Pinto is hiding in Philadelphia. Del Duca's trial resumes Monday.

1930 Charles Pinto

Camden Courier-Post
March 29, 1930

1947 McKinley Falling

1947 Charles Conyers

1947 Michael Petrillo
confectionary

Around 1970 the entire 200 block of Benson Street, along with several other adjacent streets, was razed to make way for the Royal Court Townhomes. Within this site, there is a 200 block of Benson Court.

1947 Nick's Food Market

1947 William T. Joyner
billiards
1967 N.D. Donato
1967- vice-president Union of Brotherly Love social club

1933 Daniel Cirucci
bar
1939 Veterans Political League
1947 Vacant

Private Michael Mignogna

1947 Mrs. Estella Brooks
1947 Mrs. Rose Smith
beauty shop

1947 Rev. James W. Brent

1947 Louis F. Puggsley

1947 vacant

1947 Frank Leason

1947 Joseph R. Walley
1967 William Joyner

1947 Louis Palumbo

1947 Louis Sontogelo

1947 No Return

1947 Sylvester Blue

1947 Mrs. Grace Girgenti

1947 Philip Benigno

1947 Dominick Cirucci

1929 John Girgenti Family
John & Grace Girgenti
Joseph Girgenti
1947 Carl Burch

1947 Steve Lopez

Photo from 1938

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1947 Daniel Capone
contractor

3 YOUTHS SENTENCED FOR ROBBERY OF STORE

Pleading guilty to robbery of a chain store at Twenty-seventh and Westfield Avenue, three youths were sentenced yesterday by Judge Samuel M. Shay in Criminal Court. 

Anthony Scott, 17, of 326 Benson Street, was sent to Rahway Reformatory; Charles Joslin, 19, of 1606 Pierce street, was fined $100, and Dominick Croge, 18, of 2311 Carman Street, was sent to the county jail for four months.

Police said two of the youths broke into the chain store about three weeks ago and stole 50 cartons of cigarettes and other merchandise. Joslin, it was testified, did not break into the store, but had used his automobile to cart away the stolen goods, at the request of the other two youths.

1933 Anthony Scott

Camden Courier-Post
June 20, 1933

1947 William H. Lester

1947 Benjamin Davis

1947 Luis A. Acosta

1931 John Rizzo Family
Samuel Rizzo

1947 Michael Tocco

1948 Jim & Elda Bessing

I lived on 330 Benson when I first was married on the third floor apartments. Talk about memories can you imagine what it would be like to haul a 50 pound block of ice  up three stories to put in an ice box? Ahh, these modern conveniences.

Jim Bessing,
April 2004

1936 Frank Losito
1939 Anthony Carrier
1947 Vincent Paglione

Another measure adopted adjourns the city commission until July 13 for a hearing in proposed condemnation proceedings against properties at 332 and 334 Benson street, designated as fire hazards. 

Camden Courier-Post
June 23, 1933

1947 Lazarino Espolletto

Another measure adopted adjourns the city commission until July 13 for a hearing in proposed condemnation proceedings against properties at 332 and 334 Benson street, designated as fire hazards. 

Camden Courier-Post
June 23, 1933

1947 Naomi Molock

1947 Elizabeth Runyon
1947 Geore F. Bittle
1947 Mrs. Rose Lawrence
1947 Charles Diever
1947 Mrs. Janette Reilly

The Second Presbyterian Church
aka
The Central School Annex

The Second Presbyterian Church was started in a chapel erected at 4th and Benson Streets with money contributed largely by members of the First Church. The church was formally organized by the Presbytery on March 1, 1860, and the main church dedicated September 2, 1866. The congregation combined with the First Church on March 25, 1923. 

The property of the Second Presbyterian Church, at Fourth and Benson Streets, was purchased November 2, 1923 by the Board of Education, to be used as an annex to the Central School.

1947 Morris Reid

1947 Eugene Fulwood
1947 Annie Isreal

1947 Mrs. Theresa DiVito
1967 

1967 Hijos de Santa Isabel Social Club 
(Sons of Saint Isabel Social Club)

1947 Joseph Horneff & Son
awnings

1947 Michael Starr

July 3, 2006

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July 3, 2006

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July 3, 2006

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1880s-1890s Parsonage for
Unity Unitarian Church
1920s-1940s Congregation Ahev Zedak
1970s-1994 Bible Church of God

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1880s-1890s Unity Unitarian Church
1920s-1940s Congregation Ahev Zedak
Aerial photo by Bob Bartosz July 7, 1965

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1880s-1890s Unity Unitarian Church
1920s-1940s Congregation Ahev Zedak
1970s-1994 Bible Church of God

Photo By Paris L Gray, Courier-Post
Blaze: Camden firefighters battle a six-alarm fire at the Bible Church of God in the 400 block of Benson Street 

Click on Image to Enlarge

Christmas turns bleak for pastor, congregation.
Space heater suspected in fire at city church

 By ANDREW HALL and LEROY WILLIAMS

 CAMDEN - A six-alarm fire roared through a church Wednesday afternoon, gutting the building four days before Christmas.         

Three people inside an apartment at­tached to the Bible Church of God in the 400 block of Benson Street escaped safely, authorities said.

No one was injured in the fire, but a bystander a block away was injured when he apparently was hit by power spray from a fire hose that suddenly sprang a leak.

The unidentified man was taken to Cooper Hospital-University Medical Center, Camden. He was being evaluated Wednes­day night, a hospital spokeswoman said.

According to initial reports, the fire began in the second floor of the pastor's apart­ment, which is attached to the rear of the church, said city Fire Chief Kenneth Penn.

"A young girl on the second floor with a space heater, possibly a kerosene heater, heard a popping sound. That's what started the fire," Penn said. The city's fire marshal's office is conducting an investigation to confirm the space heater started the fire, he added.

One of the nine family members living in the pastor's apartment said he saw an explosion.

"I saw a ball of flames in the middle room," said Michael Almore, 18.

"I got everybody all there and we called the fire department."

Thick, gray smoke towered above the church and billowed through the center of the roof.

1970s-1994 Bible Church of God

Camden Courier-Post
December 22, 1994

Fire Department
Camden, New Jersey
125th Anniversary 1869-1994

For 1994 the Camden Fire Department would incur 21 Greater Alarms. Among 17 Second and Third Alarms, the principal incident of the year involved a sixth alarm for a church near Fourth and Benson Streets, South Camden on December 21st. The fire started in an attached parish building, and spread rapidly to the main auditorium, through void spaced in adjoining walls and roof area. During the first few minutes of operations, Rescue Company 1 endeavored to hold the fire in the adjoining building as conditions rapidly deteriorated. Heavy smoke pushing the entire length of the roofline of the 75 by 200 foot church prompted the Battalion to abandon interior operations and evacuate all units. Fire roared through the cockloft and engulfed the church as Greater Alarms were transmitted and surrounding exposures were covered. The one-hundred year old edifice was destroyed. 

1970s-1994 Bible Church of God

December 22, 1994
Photo by Bob Bartosz

Click on Image to Enlarge

A six-alarm fire destroyed a Camden church on Wednesday and sent huge clouds of black smoke spiraling for several blocks.

No one was injured in the fire, which took about an hour to control.

The blaze broke out shortly after 3 p.m. at the Bible Church of God and an adjoining parsonage at 4th and Benson streets. Officials say it began in an upstairs bedroom where a space heater was being used.

Flames shot from the red-brick church and thick black smoke could be seen several blocks away. Firefighters doused water on the church and nearby homes to keep flames from spreading.

1970s-1994 Bible Church of God

Camden Courier-Post
December 22, 1994

Helpless:  Lena Banks and granddaughter Latasha Cottle watch in tears as the Banks home in Camden burns

4TH WARD DEMOCRATS START ANNUAL OUTINGS

Sun-burned faces, are the rule rather than the exception among members of the Auxiliary of the Fourth Ward Democratic Club received on their first, annual outing at Atlantic City.

The trip was made in a gaily decorated truck, from the club headquarters at 416 Benson Street. Surf bathing and crabbing featured the day's program. Plans are being considered for a similar trip next year.

1933 Fourth Ward Democratic Club

Camden Courier-Post
June 26, 1933

1947 Albert Grassi

1947 Aaron E. Smith

1947 Edward F. Kelly

1947 Albert Grassi

1947 Dominick S. Pologruto

1947 vacant

1906 Thomas H. Edwards
shoe manufacturer
1910 James R. Clay
policeman
1947 Dominick Crudo

1947 Anthony Galasso

1933 Ventorino Francesconi
1947 Verino Galasso

Photo from 1938

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Byron P. Cobb Sr.

"The Sun Doctor"

1947 Vito Masso

July 3, 2006

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July 3, 2006

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July 3, 2006

July 3, 2006

1947 Thomas W. Pyle
1947 Vincent Constatntino

July 3, 2006

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July 3, 2006

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July 3, 2006

1947 Patrick J. Salimena
1947 Pasquale Parisi

Frank B. Sweeten

1947 Mrs. Margaret M. Rogers

July 3, 2006
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West Street
&
Benson Street

July 3, 2006
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West Street
&
Benson Street

July 3, 2006
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1947 Mrs. Margaret M. Rogers

1947 Rocco Bonelli

1947 William Bell

1947 Mrs. Hilma Sedin

1947 Francis Borsellino

1947 Vito Palumbo

1920s-1939 Frank Davolos
1947 Harry Sharrin

1947 Frank P. Geiser
roofer

July 3, 2006
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1947 James W. Conners

1940s Dominick Lombardo

1947 Vacant

1890s-1910s Howard Lee

1890s-1913 Lewis A. Lee

1947 John D. Kenney

1947 Emmanuel W. Schaeffer

Photos Courtesy of Craig Campbell

1947 Mrs. Josephine D'Alisa

1887-1889 Richard J. Connelly
Coal Dealer

1890-1910s
Jonathan Duffield & Family
Jonathan Duffield (d. 1893)
County Collector
1890-1900s Rev. Orville S. Duffield
1890s-1910s Joseph Duffield
Dentist

1947 A & P Grocery Store
1947 William C. Storm
1947 Helen Termino

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Photos Courtesy of Craig Campbell

1947 Albert E. Quick

1947 Quick Electrical Service

1947 Moy's Laundry
1947 John Moy

1947 William C. Storm
grocer

1947 Edward L. Klaus

1947 Joseph Corea

1947 Dominick Mancisi

1947 Cologoro Daidone

1947 Raymond L. Powell

1947 Anthony DiPilla

1947 Godfrey F. Spaeth
1947 Godfrey F. Spaeth & Son
Sheet Metal Workers

1947 Nicholas Manzi

1947 Joseph Zello

1947 Thomas Boyd

1947 Frank L. Seeds

1910s-1960s Walter T. Welch

1947 Louis Napolitano

1947 Mrs. Rosa M. Williams

1947 Egdidio Mignona

1947 No Return

1947 Independent Order of Odd Fellows

1947 Clement W. Gardner

1947 Dr. Charles H. Chase
veterinarian

1947 Mrs. Sarah Wachsman
real estate

1947 Anthony Busa

1900s-1910s
Dr. Joseph E. Roberts Jr.

1947 Mrs. Ann Hughes
1947 Ramon B. Herrman

1947 Mrs. Margaret S. Clair

1947 Frank Mazza
1947 Teresa Mazza
music teacher

1947 Frank Mazza
tailor

1947 Mrs. Sarah Housner

Isaac C. Toone

1947 Jeannette Zwecke

1947 Richardson A. Roberts

1947 Albert D. Shaw

1947 Mrs. Mildred T. Tussey

Dr. and Mrs. A. C. Heintz, of 561 Benson Street, have left to spend the summer months touring the South and West. 

1933 Dr. A. C. Heintz

1947 Ernest Larossa
1947 Stephen J. Sessa

1947 Mrs. Lidie V. Kann

1947 Dr. Herbert Weinberg

Private Adolph J. Siebert

1947 Mrs. Mabel L. Kaminski

1880s-1930s Dr. Conrad G. Hoell
1930s-1947 Mrs. Elizabeth Hoell

1947 Charles C. Sexton

1920s - 1933 Wilfred M. Kaighn
1947 William J. Kistner
1947 Fred Chamberlain
1947 Edward H. Collier

1947 Paul J. Holroyd

1947 Vacant

1947 Emily Niessner
1947 Harry Blizzard

Dr. and Mrs. Paul Ironsides, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Overbaugh and Kenneth Overbaugh, Jr., of 571 Benson Street are in Ocean City for the summer. 

1933 Dr. Paul Ironsides
1933 Kenneth Overbaugh

Camden Courier-Post
June 20, 1933

1947 Welcome Hall
1947 Planned Parenthood Clinic
1947 William Pedrick

1947 Archie Fitzgerald
1947 Frances Price

1947 No Return

1947 Vacant

1933 John Grady

Camden Courier-Post
June 23, 1933

1947 Mrs. Nellie Stafford
1947 Merdith A. Romineck
Mrs. Minnie Gahrs

1947 Dr. Thomas Skaug
physician
1947 Grace Anderson
1947 helen Blake
1947 Charles Bates
1947 Mrs. Nancy Gardner

1947 George C. Lezenby
electrolysis

1920s-1930s John Shortell
1947 Leroy Fitzgerald
1947 Irene Campano
2005 Center for Family Services

1947 Samuel D. Mansfield

1947 Thomas W. Daisy

1947 Mrs. Anna Hentz

1947 Mrs. Alice M. Lawrence

1947 Mrs. Mary E. Miller
Mrs. Etta Peoples

1947 Dr. E.A. Denbo
physician

Cooper Hospital 
about 1890

Looking South from Chambers Avenue

Photo donated to Courier-Post by H. Genet Taylor of 305 Cooper Street in the late 1950s

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April 2005
Photo by Craig Campbell

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Click Here for Supersized Image

April 2005
Photo by Craig Campbell

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April 2005
Photo by Craig Campbell

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1947 Dr. Buelah S. Hollinshed

1947 Josephine Klages

1920s - 1947
Rev. Elwood A. Harrar

1947 Charles Hitchens

1947 Clinton C. Dickey
1947 Walter Mathis
1947 Anna Evans

1947 Mrs. Florence E. Stark

1900s-1910s William MacFarland
1947 Mrs. Helen C. Lang
1947 Edith Holvick
Mrs. Ellen Barr

1947 Mrs. Sarah Middleton

1910s - 1940s
Harry C. Sharp & Family
1947 Mrs. Ella Sharp 

1947 Dr. Banks S. Baker