Camden Streets - Stevens Street

STEVENS STREET was named after the two Stevens brothers, Robert L. and Edwin A. Stevens, who owned a large tract of land south of the Camden & Amboy Railroad, which they laid out into building lots about 1840.

On May 4, 1875 Camden City Council, by ordinance, vacated Stevens Street east of 6th Street for a hospital which was to be called "Camden Hospital", subsequently changed to "The Cooper Hospital" in honor of its donors. In 1888 an ordinance was passed moving the easterly curb of 6th street, between Mickle and Benson Streets, thirty feet westward, making the street from curb to curb thirty feet wide, the ground so vacated to be kept forever free from buildings.

The charter of the Camden Homeopathic Hospital and Dispensary Association was granted February 5, 1885. The house at 4th and Arch Streets was fitted up for hospital use and opened on March 2, 1885. In 1887 the property at West and Stevens Streets was purchased, and the hospital moved there and continued its work until the fall of 1890, when it was voted to close the hospital. On May 15, 1891 the West Jersey Homeopathic Dispensary and Hospital association was incorporated. The house at 3 North 5th was rented and fitted up as a dispensary; and later the building at West and Stevens Street was purchased from the old Association and opened to the public on March 25, 1892. This early hospital moved to Mount Ephraim Avenue, and is known in modern times as the West Jersey Hospital. The cornerstone of the present West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital at Mount Ephraim and Atlantic Avenues was laid on June 29, 1912.

The Camden Day Nursery Association organized on April 14, 1890. The Association opened its Nursery at 416 Stevens Street in 1894.

In 1914 the Amoroso Bakery opened at 320 Stevens Street. It remained their until 1929, when it moved back to Philadelphia. Amoroso rolls remain a Delaware Valley delicacy to this day.

The Young Women’s Christian association (YWCA) moved into its present new building on Stevens Street above Broadway on May 17, 1924.

In 1942 the Holl Block, at the northeast corner of Broadway and Stevens Street, was razed to make room for the block of stores that still serves Camden shoppers over sixty years later. In July of that year 225 Broadway, on the northwest corner of Broadway and Stevens, was also razed to make way for two new stores.

Around 1970 the 200 block of Stevens Street was condemned and razed. The Royal Court Townhomes were built as a rent to own public housing project. Problems plagued the facility, and by the mid 1990s only six of the ninety-three units were occupied. Only after The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development stepped in and de-politicized the situation, was the Housing Authority of the City of Camden, under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Maria Marquez, able to complete the renovations and sell the homes to individual private owners, the last unit having been sold by early 2004.

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

Phil Cohen

200 block of Stevens Street
	201 Stevens Street 1918-1919 Giulio Cinelli 1947 No Bar
	209 Stevens Street 1933 William McCloud Camden Courier-Post May 7, 1934 Broadway Stevens Street Silver Street John Kaighn Cooper Hospital
	216 Stevens Street Frank S. Fithian 1880s-1890s Click on Image to Enlarge
	219 Stevens Street William F. Barnett Click on Image to Enlarge
	220 Stevens Street 1924 Everett Joslin & Family policeman Everett & Laura Joslin
THEFT OF 3 SCREENS BRINGS 30-DAY TERM John Rafferty, 35, of 222 Stevens Street, was sentenced Saturday by Police Judge Pancoast to 30-days in county jail on a charge of stealing three screens belonging to Giacomo Daraio, of 706 South Third Street. Rafferty has been frequently in police court during the last year on charges of drunkenness, and, Judge Pancoast expressed surprise that he should now be accused as a thief. Leon Branch, a detective, testified that Rafferty had stolen the screens.	222 Stevens Street 1933 John Rafferty Camden Courier-Post June 19, 1933
	225 Stevens Street Charles & Norman Parker 1933 Click on Image to Enlarge
	231 Stevens Street Benjamin D. Coley Click on Image to Enlarge
	232 Stevens Street 1922 Antonio DiTalla
	234 Stevens Street 1935-1942 Egizi's Cafe 1954-1964 High Speed Line Cafe 1970 Razed to make room for Royal Court Townhomes
*Police Capture Clothing Thieves Robbing a Store* Two clothing thieves, caught in the act of robbing the tailor shop of Lewis Pologruto, 237 Stevens Street, early this morning, were held in $2,000 bail for court by Recorder Stackhouse. The men are Leo Sours, 19, 35 Washington Street, and Thomas Bandock, 39, 24 Kimball Street, Philadelphia. Angelo Caputo, a private watchman, saw the men loading clothing in a small motor truck and notified Miller and Johnson, special officers, and Policeman Fred Wagner. The officers closed in on the robbers and discovered them in the store pacing a large bundle of clothing. Six suits were already in the vehicle. The police later learned the truck had been stolen from the garage of Antonio DiTalla, 232 Stevens Street.	237 Stevens Street Camden Daily Courier January 20, 1922 Lewis Pologrutto tailor
	237 Stevens Street Camden Courier-Post March 21, 1932 Emil Tisani - Luigi Celani South 2nd Street Royden Street
	241 Stevens Street 1940-1956 William Lorusso Lorusso's Cafe 1959 Stevens Bar 1964-1966 Golden Goose Bar 1970 Razed to make room for Royal Court Townhomes

300 block of Stevens Street
	300 Stevens Street 1918-1919 Frank Moles Saloon
	301 Stevens Street 1924 Carmin A. Fuscellaro Sr. Family Carmin & Anna Fuscellaro George A. Fuscellaro Nettie Fuscellaro A shoe cutter in 1924, by 1927 Carmin Fuscellaro Sr. was a Camden Police Officer. Son Carmin Fuscellaro Jr. also became a Camden Police Officer. Son George Fuscellaro became a member of the Camden Fire Department.
	302-304 Stevens Street 1940-1947 Miraglia's Cafe 1956 R&M Cafe
	302-304 Stevens Street 1959-1970 Lev's Bar Clarence Levister & Herman McCargo
	303 Stevens Street October 1, 2005 Click on Image to Enlarge
	305 Stevens Street Private First Class Bartholomew P. Tirro Click on Image to Enlarge
	314 Stevens Street Albert A. Mungioli
	315 Stevens Street Steward's Mate First Class Ralph F. Adams Click on Image to Enlarge
	320 Stevens Street Amoroso's Bakery 1914-1929
	320 Stevens Street Pompeano's Pastry Shop 1947
CABARET SINGER IS HELD ON BAD CHECK CHARGE Charged with obtaining money under false pretense and forging a friend's signature on two checks a year ago, a Camden cabaret singer is in the county jail in default of $300 bail. Inez Wiley, 25, of 321 Stevens Street, was arrested by Herbert Kayser and Walter Schock of Haddon Heights police on complaint of Mrs. Ora Curry, 837 Jackson Street, a former domestic in the household ot Mrs. Willat Lippincott, Station Avenue, Haddon Heights. Mrs. Curry testified before Police Recorder Joseph A. Patton, that while working for Mrs. Lippincott she became ill and was compelled to remain at her home for a number of weeks. During that time, she said, her friend, Inze Wiley, visited Mrs. Lippincott and without Mrs. Curry's knowledge, requested financial slstance. On two occasions Mrs. Lippincott gave the woman checks to the order of Mrs. Curry to the amount of four and five dollars respectively. These checks had been cashed by the woman and endorsed with Mrs. Curry's forged signature, according to Mrs. Curry. Meeting Mrs. Lippincott after many months she learned the truth and caused the Wiley woman's arrest.	321 Stevens Street Pompeano's Pastry Shop 1933
	322 Stevens Street George Whitman's First House 1871- September 1873 George Whitman, Walt’s younger brother, worked full-time in Camden, which enabled him to marry and take a house at 322 Stevens Street in 1871. He brought his mother and his brother Edward to live with them in August of 1872 and soon began construction of a three-story house on a corner lot at 431 Stevens Street. Before he could finish it, his mother became ill and died in May 1873. Still partially paralyzed by a stroke he had suffered four months earlier in Washington, Walt Whitman hastened to Camden to see his mother, arriving on 20 May, three days before her death. He intended to stay only until his strength returned, but his convalescence was very slow. In September he moved with George’s family into the new house at 431 Stevens, and in 1874 he was dismissed from his clerkship in Washington, leaving him a permanent resident of Camden.
	322 Stevens Street October 1, 2005 I'm not sure if this is the home George Whitman, Walt’s younger brother, lived in in 1871. I believe this building was erected later, and that George Whitman's 322 Stevens was most likely a frame, similar to the one his brother Walt lived in around the corner, at 328 Mickle Street. The building was condemned in July of 2005. Click on Image to Enlarge
	327 Stevens Street 1880 Rev. Jacob B. Graw & Family Joseph R. Graw
	327 Stevens Street Camden Day Nursery 1920s-2005
	328 Stevens Street Frank Mucci 1920s-1947
	329 Stevens Street Robert Outwater Richard H. Outwater 1880s-1910s
	330 Stevens Street Dr. A.E. Street 1870s-1880s
	336 Stevens Street October 1, 2005 336 Stevens is adjacent to 301 South 4th Street, which is the corner building Click on Image to Enlarge

400 block of Stevens Street
	401 Stevens Street Fountain of Life Pentecostal Church 2004
	402 Stevens Street October 1, 2005 Click on Image to Enlarge In 1947 this building was known as the Todd Apartments.
	402, 404, 408 & 414 Stevens Street October 1, 2005 Click on Image to Enlarge
	411 Stevens Street Anthony & Anna Fino November 25, 1944
	411 Stevens Street 1947 John F. Blackson
	414 Stevens Street 1900s-1910s Tenny Hutchison 1900s-1910s George Holl Hutchison HORSE-DRAWN WAGONS like this were used in the early 1900s by Victor Talking Machine Company to haul Victrolas. The work-day ended with delivery, of mail, about three or four small pouches and possibly a canvas sack of second class mail-Victor catalogues, to the old post office, 3rd and Arch Streets. A mailing department employee accompanied the driver on the trip. The former mail clerk, George H. Hutchison (center), of 120 Glenwood Avenue, MerchantvilIe, furnished the photograph.
	416 Stevens Street Camden Day Nursery The Camden Day Nursery Association organized on April 14, 1890. The Association opened its Nursery at 416 Stevens Street in 1894.
	420 Stevens Street 1888-1893 James W. Hope Family James & Susan Hope James W. Hope Jr. Henry "Harry" Hope - Emma Hope Eddie Hope - William Hope Harriet Hope - Carrie Hope Camden Daily Telegram March 21, 1893
	422 Stevens Street 1910s-1930s Antonio Oliveto & Family Antonio & Maria Oliveto William Oliveto Felice Oliveto Anna Maria Oliveto Catherine Oliveto Rose Oliveto Angelina Oliveto Lucy Oliveto Daniel Oliveto 1910s-1929 Dominick Oliveto
CAMDEN MAN TRIES SUICIDE IN PHILADELPHIA Herman Blizzard of 423 Stevens street attempted to commit suicide in Philadelphia yesterday by drinking poison, according to police. Blizzard was taken to a hospital and later arrested. He will be given a hearing today.	423 Stevens Street 1933 Herman Blizzard Camden Courier-Post June 16, 1933
2 JAILED FOR BEGGING MONEY FROM AUTOISTS Charged with being drunk and disorderly, James Kelly, 34, of 324 Penn Street, and Charles Murphy, 59, of 423 Stevens Street, were each sentenced to 60 days in jail Saturday by Police Judge Garfield Pancoast. They were arrested at Eleventh and Linden streets yesterday on complaint of motorists who said the men would wait until a red light flashed and then walk into the street and ask for money.	423 Stevens Street 1933 Charles Murphy Camden Courier-Post June 25, 1933
	423 Stevens Street Chester Mignogna August 10, 1936 August 11, 1936
	428 Stevens Street Mary Dischert Mary Dischert kept a boarding house here from the 1900s through the 1920s. Her daughter Elsie married longtime Camden policeman Walter T. Welch.
	429 Stevens Street Michael Mignona
	429 South 4th Street 1936 Chester Mignogna Camden Courier-Post August 10, 1936 Clifford Carr George Getley Jacob Mutzer Michael Meloni Dominic Vizzone
	430 Stevens Street Dr. A.E. Street 1887 1933 Robert Powell taxicab driver
	431 Stevens Street George Whitman's Second House 1874-1884 Poet Walt Whitman moved here with his brother when the building was completed in September of 1874. He later purchased the home at 328 block of Mickle Street that is known around the world as The Walt Whitman House. In 1884 George Whitman moved his family to a farm twelve miles from Camden. 431 Stevens Street was lost to fire in 1994.
	432-434 Stevens Street (southeast corner of Stevens & West Streets) West Jersey Homeopathic Dispensary & Hospital 1888-1914 Astor Apartments 1940s-1950s
	433 Stevens Street
	437 Stevens Street
Intersection of Stevens Street & Judson Place
	438 Stevens Street Emmanuel United Pentecostal Church 2004
	440 Stevens Street 1910s-1920s Harry C. Richmond 1926 Shepherds Hall
	440 Stevens Street Nazarene Baptist Church 1947

500-538 block of Stevens Street

514 Stevens Street

Edward Stokes King Jr.

516 Stevens Street

October 30, 2008

Click on Images to Enlarge

Camden NJ Devil's Night Fires
photos & story by
Bob Bartosz

October 30, 2008 known by many Cities as "Mischief Night" ---- In Camden New Jersey it is known for its "Devil's Night" --- but for the last few years it has been very quiet. Including this year. Shortly after 7 p.m. calls were received for a dwelling fire at 516 Stevens Street, in the center city section of the City. The first in Units reported that they had heavy smoke and fire conditions in a two story brick, middle of the row, occupied dwelling. The home owners had placed steel gates and bars on the porch and windows to protect themselves from harm. This was almost a fatal mistake, as the home owners were unable to exit the blazing dwelling. During their attempt two of the children were injured. A one year old with burns and smoke inhalation and another child with smoke inhalation. They were transported to Camden Cooper Hospital Trauma Center by Camden EMS Unit.

Fire fighters were able to advance three water lines into the second floor of the dwelling containing the fire to two rear bedrooms. The blaze was placed Under Control in about 20 minutes. During a secondary search Fire Fighter Ray Otero, of Engine Company 8 found a small dog under a bed in one of the rear bedrooms. it was a wonder that he was still alive due to the heavy smoke and fire conditions. The home owner and her daughter were extremely thrilled that the Fire Fighters were able to save their dog. With tears in their eyes they were thanking Fire Fighter Otero for his actions. Over fifty residents on the block had fled their smoke filled homes but were able to return a few hours later. Fire fighters contained the fire to the one dwelling. The only other action during "Devils Night" was a huge rubbish pile in the rear of a warehouse on South 6th Street which had the sky lit up for over an hour but was contained by Engine Company 8 ,Engine Company 10 and Ladder Company 2, Battalion Chief 1.

Firefighter Ray Otero
&
the dog he rescued

Firefighter Ray Otero
reunites dog and family

Click on Images to Enlarge

523 Stevens Street

Trinity German
Evangelical Lutheran Church

Built in 1857, the design of this Gothic building located on Stevens Street between Broadway and 5th in Camden, is in the tradition of St James the Less, built ten years earlier across the river in Philadelphia, but the original denomination was German Lutheran. The bright stone above the entrance proclaims, in German, this to be a German church, but the rest of the inscription is unreadable.
The building now houses the New Visions Community Services of Camden.

533 Stevens Street

Dr. Aaron Howell

Camden Courier-Post Obituary
February 22, 1927

DEMOCRATIC TRUSTEES PLAN SUMMER PROGRAM

Trustees of the Democratic Club of Camden County discussed summer plans last night at Democratic Headquarters, 538 Stevens Street.

Edward J. Borden, a trustee, was congratulated on his election as president of the New Jersey Real Estate Commission. Other members present were Samuel P. Orlando, president; Victor King, Patrick H. Harding, Harry L. Maloney and Sidney Kaplan.

538 Stevens Street

Democratic Club
of
Camden County

Camden Courier-Post
June 8, 1933

540-581 block of Stevens Street
The lock, key, auto jack and two one-gallon cans of anti-freeze were stolen from a garage used by George Firth, 540 Stevens Street, Firth told police. The articles were valued at $5.	540 Stevens Street 1938 George Firth Camden Courier-Post February 7, 1938
	544 Stevens Street 1900s-1910s Frank J. Hineline
	565 Stevens Street Young Women's Christian Association Building The Young Women’s Christian association (YWCA) moved into its present new building on Stevens Street above Broadway on May 17, 1924. Joseph N, Hettel was the architect. Photo Taken Spring 2003 Click on Image to Enlarge
	573 Stevens Street Dr. Marcus K. Mines 1920s-1936
	577 Stevens Street Dr. Emma M. Richardson 1920s-1930s Dr. Wendell Johnson 1947
	579 Stevens Street Arthur W. Claphan 1900s-1930s Virginia-born in 1864, A,W. Claphan was one of Camden's most successful Black businessmen from the 1910s through the 1930s.
	581 Stevens Street Woodrow C. Hughes & Family 1890-1891
	581 Stevens Street Dr. Emma M. Richardson 1900s-1920s
	581 Stevens Street Clarence Fuhrman Fuhrman School of Music Camden Courier-Post February 17, 1928
	581 Stevens Street The Casimiera Dance Studio Camden Courier-Post October 30, 1931
	581 Stevens Street Dr. Franklin M. Richardson 1947

3000 block of Stevens Street
	3000 Block of Stevens Street East of Dudley Street 1960s- On the playground of Francis X. McGraw Elementary School, facing northwest. The baseball field stretched from the edge of the playground to Stevens Street, with row homes in the background. East Camden Middle School was built over the baseball field in 1978. Photo courtesy of Cynthia Schreiner Washington
Mrs. Ray Erb and daughters, Marjorie and Patricia Anne Erb, formerly of 3014 Stevens Street, this city, have joined Mr. Erb at Denver, Colorado.	3014 Stevens Street 1930s Ray Erb Family Camden Courier-Post June 19, 1933
	3038 Stevens Street William P. Moll Sr. 1940s-1960s
	3038 Stevens Street Clarence J. Eichel 1920s-1930s
	3061 Stevens Street Carmen Iannelli
	3064 Stevens Street East Camden Middle School Built in 1978, East Camden Middle School lies between Woodrow Wilson High School and the Francis X. McGraw Elementary School, and adjacent to Woodrow Wilson High's football field.

Broadway & Stevens Street
	Stevens Street West of Broadway 1909 Click on Image to Enlarge
	Northwest Corner of Broadway & Stevens Street July 1942 Click on Image to Enlarge
	Northeast Corner of Broadway & Stevens Street The Holl Block 1890s-1942 Click on Image to Enlarge
	Northeast Corner of Broadway & Stevens Street 1943-2004 Click on Image to Enlarge

2800 block of Stevens Street
	2800 Stevens Street Click on Image to Enlarge
	2818 Stevens Street 1924 William A. Lanning 1929 John C. Curley
'ERNIE' 7 YEARS OLD BUT HE HAS REAL PARTY Ernest McLaughlin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest T. McLaughlin, 2818 Stevens street, celebrated the seventh anniversary of his birth Saturday with a party for playmates. - His guests were John Albrecht, Peggy Shaw, Leonard Heintze, Betty Pontz, William Reed, Catherine Baldwin, Harvey Le Fever and Samuel Noecker.	2818 Stevens Street 1933 Ernest T. McLaughlin Camden Courier-Post June 4, 1933
	2818 Stevens Street 1947-1977 Charles P. Ott
	2844 Stevens Street 1942-1957 J. Walter Trappe

2700 block of Stevens Street
	2779 Stevens Street 1930s-1940 George M. Townsend Click on Image to Enlarge
	2796 Stevens Street 1941 Allen Palmer