CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY

NORTH CAMDEN

This page is a work in progress about a neighborhood that one could easily say has been abandoned by business and government. Once a thriving neighborhood with businesses and factories, North Camden was for all intents and purposes cut off from the rest of the city after the Delaware River Bridge was built and the the Admiral Wilson Boulevard became a multi-lane expressway through town. When the factories and shipyards that were located in North Camden left, the neighborhood went into a long, slow decline. 

This page will include articles and pictures about the past and present of North Camden. 

As with most everything else on this web-site, it's a work in progress, and I welcome your participation-
                       Phil Cohen
                       Camden NJ

Don't forget to check out THE STREETS OF CAMDEN, NJ for a block by block walk down many North Camden streets, filled with buildings, people, and events.

Thanks to Joe Clawges, Earl Crim, Jim Bessing, & Floyd Miller for photos of North Camden, and to John Ciafrani & Maryanne Mingle for remembering just about everything!. 

   LEFT: This 1914 map of North Camden shows the neighborhood in the days before the Ben Franklin Bridge was built and the highways put in that cut the neighborhood off from the rest of Camden. 

Diamond Cottage Park is now a part of the Rutgers Campus

Note that Pyne Point Park and the park at 2nd and Cooper Streets are not shown.

Second Street, South of Linden - About 1900
300 Block - Millwood Truscott's home at 310 N. 2nd Street is behind trees on left

Linden Street 

Photograph published in 1914, it was probably taken a few years earlier.

This upper middle-class neighborhood was razed to make room for the Bridge Plaza 

Click on Image to Enlarge

     Robert Linthicum operated his delicatessen and grocery at 546 North 8th Street, the corner of 8th and Birch Streets, at the time of the 1920 census. The address was still a grocery as late as 1947.

The Linthicums of North Camden
The Story of a North Camden Family 

555 York Street
1911

Jack and Grace O'Connor
in front of their home

Click in Images to Enlarge

Click on the hyperlink for much more about
Linden Baptist Church

Designed by Arthur Truscott 

Click on Images to Enlarge

929 to 939 North 6th Street

1001 to 1011 North 6th Street

The circled area is the Harrison Avenue garbage dump. In 1925 the site was considered as a location for an airport to serve Camden and Philadelphia. The site has remained undeveloped and in need of environmental cleanup. In the fall of 2003 plans were announced for a cleanup and conversion of the site for use as a golf course.

Schools in North Camden

Camden Courier-Post - October 13, 1931

DELCO DEFEATS CIVIC TO REMAIN UNBEATEN

Delco A. A. continued to hold sway with local minor teams when they kept their unscored on record intact yesterday afternoon when they defeated the strong Civic A. A. at Tenth and State Street, to the tune of 19 to 0.

The feature of the game was when Ed Fish of the winners intercepted a forward pass and ran thirty yards for a touchdown.

Coach Jack Fitzgerald wishes all the Delco squad to report at the club Wednesday at 7:00 p. m.

Camden Courier-Post - February 8, 1933

HOLY NAME CARD PARTY ARRANGED FOR FRIDAY

A card party and social will be held at the Holy Name auditorium, Fifth and Vine Streets, 'Friday night by the parish amusement committee. Tables will be arranged for the various card games, which will start at 8:30 PM, and attractive prizes will be awarded high scorers. The committee comprises Mrs. Anna  Higgins, Mrs. Miriam Wilkins, Mrs. Agnes McCracken, Mrs. Edward Moran, Mrs. Charles Henle, Jr., Mrs. Catherine Hambach, Miss Marie McDonough and Mrs. Teresa Hale.

Camden Courier-Post - June 4, 1933

Head of Pyne Poynt Garden Group Says Relief Job Needs "More Heart"

Demand that Dr. Arthur L. Stone be retained as Camden city director of emergency relief was made by Walter S. Agin, president of the Pyne Poynt Garden Club, at a meeting of the Cox Garden Club at Twenty-first Street and Harrison Avenue.

"The city gardeners ask John Colt, state director of relief, to refuse to accept the resignation of Dr. Stone," Agin said. "They feel that a great heart like that of Abraham Lincoln in 1861 is the thing most needed today. The city of Camden and the unemployed as well as the relief administration have use for a man with a heart and a head. After all, it is not what we do for ourselves that make us great, but what we do for the other fellow. We believe there is something more than the excuse that 'he let his heart rule his head' for the demand of County Director Wayland P. Cramer for Dr. Stone's resignation and for that reason we ask that Dr. Stone be retained on the job."

More than 20,000 tomato, pepper and cabbage plants were given to the city gardeners by Daniel Deacon, Twenty-seventh street and Pierce Avenue and more tomato plants will arrive today from the Campbell Soup Company firms at Mt. Holly for distribution to the various gardens throughout the city. The Kaighn Avenue Plumbing Supply Company donated 300 feet of water pipe to the Pyne Poynt Club, while 2 tons of fertilizer were given the gardeners by the Walters Company, of Philadelphia.

John Emery, president, of the Cox Club, announced his organization has 137 gardens underway on the old Cox farm on Harrison Avenue. 

Camden Courier-Post - June 4, 1933

Camden Courier-Post - June 9, 1933

CAMDEN'S GARDENS ARE PROSPERING INSPECTION SHOWS
Improvised Water Supply Used on Majority of Plots 
POLlCE TO MEET MONDAY

The 20 groups of Camden City Gardens are making excellent progress, with several groups enjoying improvised water supplies, an inspection showed yesterday. 

The two-hour inspection trip was made by Arthur M. Taylor, of the Emergency Relief Administration; Capt. Charles F. Hettinger, supervisor of city gardens; Walter S. Agin, publicity chairman; Isaac Kyler, secretary of Pyne Poynt Garden Club, and Joseph Corden, vice-president of the latter club.

The Pyne Poynt Garden Club has installed 1200 feet of water pipe, with 12 outlets, from which water is sprinkled on the gardens in dry weather. At the Marine Terminal Gardens, near Clinton Street, the gardeners have dug eight wells, 12' feet deep, with 24-inch pipe, for their water supply. The Fairview Gardens are furnished with water by 1500 feet of old fire hose donated for the purpose. Hundreds of hills of potatoes are growing there, from potatoes salvaged from city dumps. 

At the Taylor Gardens, on Taylor Avenue, the name of the gardens has been worked out in string beans planted on the Taylor Avenue side of the plot. The garden police will meet Monday night in the court house with Chief Roy Adams. City Garden club chairmen and their committees will meet next Wednesday evening. The South Camden section will meet next Friday night in the Wilson school, Ninth street and Woodland Avenue. 

The East Camden section will meet June 20 in Woodrow Wilson Junior High School.

Taylor announce that the Campbell Soup Company during the past week has contributed 1150,000 tomato plants to the City garden movement. 

FATAL COLLAPSE OF 2 HOUSES LAID TO VANDALISM 
Mrs. Pfeil Tells North Camden Civic Group Boys Must be Punished 
UTILITY BOARD RAPPED

Declaring that vandalism may have been responsible for the collapse of two house fronts which cost the life of a man on Carman Street, near Seventh, yesterday, Mrs. Stephen Pfeil 
last night asserted the North Camden Civic Association would request police for an intensive campaign against vandals. 

The association, which met at 939 North Fifth Street, recently charged that vandals have caused damage of $500,000 to vacant properties in the city.

"We are going to organize public opinion as to the seriousness of the vandalism problem," Mrs. Pfeil said. "Aside from the loss caused owners, vacant properties have been so destroyed 
by mischievous boys and young men that each is fast becoming a serious menace to life and limb. The collapse of two house fronts today, which cost the life of a colored man, undoubtedly can be traced to vandalism in the beginning. The problem has implications.

Demands Punishment 

"We are going to ask that police apprehend these boys in an intensive campaign,. and we will insist that those found guilty be punished and their parents made responsible for the damage. Parents must be made responsible to break up this wanton destruction of property. We are aware that political interference may be encountered in such arrests, but we will vigorously insist that there be neither fish nor flesh in these arrests, but all punished commensurately with their deeds."

Mrs. Pfeil is treasurer of the organization. Mrs. Elsie A. Stein and William Coghlan, members of a committee appointed with Mrs. Pfeil to negotiate with police, cited various instances of 
vandalism.

Frank J. Hartmann, Jr., secretary, announced the Congress of Civic Associations was preparing a resolution to be sent to the public utility commission censuring that board for its action in allegedly "boosting electric voltages, keeping bus doors closed, approving underground high speed bridge rails in Camden, approving railroad consolidation and for "calling Public Service electric rates fair and just." 

Bridge Loan Rapped 

Julius Kretz reported that a committee of the association was considering the sending of a questionnaire to all residents of Camden inquiring into their electric and gas charges and the 
service derived. 

Thomas B. Hall announced himself as opposed to the $10,000,000 R. F. C. loan sought by the Delaware River Joint Commission for bridge rails.

"I doubt it the corporation would lend that money for the laying of two miles of rails which come to a dead end. I am opposed to an additional $10,000,000 capital investment in the bridge, which would serve to place still farther away lower bridge tolls. The service proposed is not convenient to any class of commuter, and I regard the whole scheme as one of tremendous waste and bereft of proper planning. I do not think the commission can lease rails without proper facilities to the traveling public, and this association will us every effort with federal authorities to present the inadequacy of this rail plan." . 

Cops, Nab 14 Nudists After Criticism for Vandalism, Bathing 
Citizens Complain to City Commission and Give 'Hot 'Tips' 
$500,000 DAMAGE TO HOMES CHARGED 
Police Act Quickly on Objection to 'Buck' Swimming

The Camden police were criticized yesterday at a meeting of the City Commission for relaxing their vigilance in halting damage by vandals in vacant properties which have caused total losses of $500,000 in the city. 

A committee representing the North Camden Civic Association appeared before the City Commission and urged an intensive campaign to halt destruction of unoccupied buildings. Among the committee's recommendations for the drive were greater activity by the police, co-operation by citizens with the police in reporting vandalism, appointment of special officers to watch the buildings and a general educational campaign in the city schools. 

Given Hot Clue 

Mayor Roy R. Stewart estimated that $500,000 damage had been done to vacant properties, and agreed to give full support to the drive to halt vandalism. 

With characteristic suddenness, Frank J. Hartmann, secretary of the civic association, arose in the meeting and told the mayor that if policemen were sent immediately to Tenth and State Streets they would find young men engaged in tearing down an unoccupied factory. 

As another evidence of "police negligence," he said, young men and boys could be found bathing nude at that moment in Cooper River in that vicinity. Acting immediately, Mayor Stewart instructed Capt. John W. Golden, acting police chief, to send policemen to the neighborhood. 

14 Nude Bathers Nabbed 

A few minutes later, 14 boys and young men, ranging, in age from 12 to 26, were arrested for bathing without clothes. 

All bathers over 14 were held in cash security of $10 and those under 14 were released in custody of their parents on charges of disorderly conduct. They are: Leslie Bayne, 26, of 503 Royden street; Harvey Howell, 16, of 529 Washington Street; John Grady; 19, of 578 Benson Street; Roscoe Davis, 15, of 253 North Eleventh Street; James Evans, 15, of 601 North Second Street; William Dempsey, 12, of 1030 Lawrence Street; Robert Farland, 13, of 1112 Federal Street; Roland Garber, 15, of 537 Birch street; Edgar Grundlock, 15, of' 318 North Tenth Street; Frank Garwood; 13; of 717 Bailey Street; Eugene Dodelin, 13, of 309 Cole Street; Ralph Skill, 13, of 512 North Seventh Street; Robert Rudd, 15, of 642 Lynwood Street, and Richard Evans, 14 of 601 North Second Street. 

Miss Elsie Stein, a member of the committee, handed the mayor a letter from a woman who complained about young men bathing in Cooper River. The letter was turned over to Acting Chief Golden. 

"If the police performed the duties they are paid to perform, this vandalism could be stopped," Miss Stein said. 

Mrs. Stephen Pfeil, another committee member, told the mayor she realized the depleted condition of the police force and offered to aid in the educational campaign by talking against vandalism to children in the schools. 

Hartmann urged that politicians and public officeholders refrain from using their influence to obtain leniency for children guilty of damaging vacant houses. William Coghlan said he had complained to the police about the practice but had seen no results. 

Weed Cleanup Ordered 

Other members, of the committee presenting the protest were Vincent Martinelli and Leon Wojtkowiak, representing the South Camden Civic Association.

The city commission adopted on final reading an ordinance requiring property owners to remove from the front of their properties and sidewalks weds and debris. A fine may be imposed as penalty for violation of the ordinance.

A resolution was passed protesting an increase in power authorized by the federal government to Station WORC and WEPS, of Worcester, Mass. An increase to 1280 kilocycles and to 500 watts causes interference in broadcasting, from WCAM, the resolution pointed out. 

Assessors Reappointed 

Wilbur B. Ellis, Edward F. Peard and Thomas C. Wright were reappointed to the city board of assessors as of July 1. George H. Simpson, of 2725 Concord Avenue, was reappointed constable for three years in the Eleventh Ward. 

Another resolution was adopted by the commission clarifying to the federal government its position relative to responsibility as· to operation of WCAM. It was pointed out in the resolution that the mayor and city clerk had entered a supplemental agreement with the Broadcast Advertising Company, which leases the station from Camden. The government desired to establish that nothing be construed in the agreement which would relieve Camden from responsibility in operation of the station. 

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. 

PYNE POYNT PLANS JULY 4 PROGRAM 
All-Day Schedule Arranged With Parades, Music Dancing, Prizes

Plans for the thirty-third Fourth of July celebration sponsored, by the Pyne Poynt Athletic Association were announced last night at a meeting of the association. 

The program will open at 6 a.m. with a salute and flag raising. A parade will start at 9.30 a. m., with bands, music wagon and fife and drum corps providing the music. Prizes of from $5 to $1 will be awarded for the best decorated float, bicycle, baby coach or express wagon in line. A memorial service will start at 11. a. m., with singing by school children. 

There will be a band concert in the afternoon as well as more than 20 athletic contests from 2.30 to 5 p.m. A singles tennis match for the North Camden championship will be started at 4.30 p.m. under direction of William Hutton. Prizes donated by Camden businessmen will be awarded for each event. Children from the city orphanages and the detention home will be the association's guests throughout the afternoon. 

Dancing will be provided from 8.30 to midnight and motion pictures from 9 to midnight. Prizes ranging from $6 to $1 will be awarded for the dancing. 

Cash prizes will be awarded for the best decorated homes of subscribers in the Tenth Ward. The awards will be $10, $5 and $2.50. 

Collections to cover cost of the celebration will be made today in a house-to-house canvass beginning at 7 p.m. Donors of 25 cents or more will be eligible for prizes awarded by merchants. Frank J. Hartmann is president of the association.  

Route of the annual Fourth of July parade of the Pyne Poynt Athletic Association was announced last night. The event, one of the out standing Independence Day programs in South Jersey, promises to surpass any previous undertaking of the association.

Hundreds of school children and organizations are planning to march. The line will form on Erie Street, west of Seventh, turn south on Seventh street to York, east on Eighth, south to State, east to Ninth, south to Vine, west to Eighth, south to Elm, west to Sixth, north to State, west to Fifth, north to Grant, west to Fourth, north to York, east to Fifth, north to Bailey, east to Sixth, north to Byron street and then enter Pyne Poynt Park.

Named as parade marshal is Isaac Kyler, while John R. Schultz again will have charge of school children. William Hughes and George Zeitz will serve as assistant marshals. The Pyne Poynt Garden Club is planning to march and compete for a share of the 250 prizes to be awarded. Among the awards will be a token for the best decorated home in the Tenth Ward. A meeting of the committee in charge is to be held at 7.30 p. m. tonight at 939 North Fifth Street,to discuss plans for raising funds in the First Ward.

Two colored men were under arrest last night following a cutting affray in North Camden. Each charges the other with atrocious assault and battery.

They are Herman Langston, of 332 Summit Street, near whose home the brawl occurred, and Emory B. Ball, 30, of 1028 Admiral Wilson Boulevard. Langston was treated at Cooper Hospital for cuts on the head and back. Ball was cut on the hand.

Camden Courier-Post - March 23, 1935

5 Bitten by Mad Dog in North Camden Treated for Rabies
STATE TEST SHOWS ANIMAL INFECTED, DR. HELM INFORMED
Drive to Capture All Strays Pushed by Police Chief Colsey
LICENSES NECESSARY 

The dog which ran amok and bit five persons in North Camden Saturday night was suffering from rabies.

That was announced yesterday by Dr. David B. Helm, Jr., city sanitary inspector, after receipt of a telegram from the state board of health In Trenton. Examination of the head of the dog revealed the animal had rabies.

The five victims of the dog who received Pasteur treatment at Cooper Hospital pending examination of the dog, will continue to be treated, Doctor Helm said.

The victims were: William Wagner, 65, of 1554 Forty-eighth Street, Pennsauken township,

bitten on leg. Miss Florence Smith, 19, of 833 Grant Street, bitten on wrist and leg. William Luers, 3, adopted child of Mrs. Frank Smith, 833 Grant Street. William Winstanley, 11, of 835 Grant Street, bitten on hands. Thomas Owens, 12, of 631 North Ninth Street, bitten on right forearm and left hand.

At the same time Doctor Helm announced he and Police Chief Arthur Colsey were co-operating to capture and destroy all unlicensed and stray dogs and cats found on city streets.

P. T. A. Applauds Brunner's Beautification Project

To the Editor:

Sir-Hats off to you, Mr. Brunner! 

We congratulate you on your courage to really do something for the benefit city dwellers who must stay near home.

By careful and wise planning of your park beautification project, you can at the same time give the children as well as the grown folks places for safe and healthful recreation which, if thoughtfully and carefully supervised, will not only do much toward taking the children out of our traffic-ridden streets, but will give them their birthright, the opportunity of becoming healthy, happy and law-respecting future citizens.

This should save the taxpayers of Camden a considerable amount of money by the large reduction of costs for detention homes, juvenile courts, prisons, etc., not mentioning what it will do by preventing much anguish and heartaches. We have definite plans for Pyne Poynt Park and vacant lots in North Camden which we and other organizations are going to submit to you to within a week and hope that you will consider them before you pass out your plans for starting work. . 

ANNIVERSARY HELD BY PYNE POYNT A.A.
Number of Out-of-town Members Among 60 at 25^th Banquet Session

More than 60 members of the Pyne Poynt Athletic Club joined celebrating the club's twenty-fifth anniversary at a banquet and entertainment Saturday night at the organization's headquarters 939 North Fifth street. Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann, Jr., one of the club's former presidents was among the speakers. Chester Vissel, board of education member also attended. 

The group was entertained by John Devlin, "Irish Ambassador," and engaged in a Monte Carlo contest under direction of George Townsend of Collingswood. Three of the members now living at Washington, D. C., journeyed back to the club from the national capital. They are William Brandt, R. George Rheinbold and William Begg.

Among other out-of-town members attending were Arthur Messler, Westwood; Harry Edginton, Milford, Del.; William Cann and Howard Hurlock, both of Wilmington, Del., and AIfred Heap, Haddonfield, one of the organizers.

Harry F. Walton, first president, was toastmaster. Albert Ross, Jr., house director was in charge of banquet preparations. Officers of the club are Edward H. Winters, president; Alexander Kahnweiler, vice president; Hamilton H. Batten, recording secretary; Frank Kelley, financial secretary; Harry F. Walton, treasurer, and George E. Ash, director-at-large.

HOME RECEPTION HELD BY NORTH CAMDEN A. A.

The North Camden Athletic Association yesterday held a reception at its new home, 325 State Street.

The club was organized January 12 with 36 First Ward boys as members by William Fridell and Joseph Gorman, Democratic county committeeman.

The officers are Edward Young, president; Roy Wood, vice president; John Garrity, treasurer, and Elmer C. Leibfried, secretary.

Young said the club will sponsor baseball, basketball, swimming and  amateur boxing. Garrity is a son of Willie Davis, also known in fistic circles years ago as San Diego. 

PYNE POINT PARK

Camden Courier-Post - February 5, 1938

Camden Courier-Post
June 29, 1939

Click on Image to Enlarge

Camden Courier-Post

June 23, 1939

What often is overlooked when the glory days of Camden's past is that a lot of what made Camden great was its PEOPLE!

Neighborhood, social, religious, and fraternal organizations contributed to the social fabric of the city.