Photo above is from the 400 block of Federal Street in approximately 1890.
Welcome to Camden History, unsurprisingly about Camden, New Jersey, a city steeped in history and brimming with stories that have left an indelible mark on the tapestry of America’s past. Situated on the banks of the Delaware River, Camden has a rich and complex history that spans centuries. From its indigenous Lenape inhabitants to the bustling industrial hub of the 19th and 20th centuries, and from its pivotal role in the Underground Railroad to its contributions to the birth of the recording industry, Camden has played a significant part in shaping the nation’s narrative.
Camden’s origins can be traced back to the early 17th century when European settlers first arrived in the region. Over time, it evolved from a quaint village into a thriving industrial center, earning it the nickname “The City Invincible” in the late 19th century. The city’s industries, including shipbuilding, manufacturing, and commerce, contributed to its growth and prosperity.
But Camden’s history is not just one of industry and commerce; it’s also a story of resilience, community, and cultural diversity. Throughout its past, the city has been home to waves of immigrants, each adding their unique traditions and flavors to the city’s vibrant cultural mosaic.
Join us on a journey through time as we explore the people, places, and events that have shaped Camden’s captivating history. From the waterfront to the neighborhoods, from famous figures to everyday citizens, we invite you to discover the hidden gems and untold tales that make Camden a city worth exploring and celebrating.
Whatever your interest, we invite you to join us, have a virtual coffee, subscribe to our email updates, and contribute your own insights.
Remnants of Camden’s history are all around you if you know where to look!
Latest Posts
- Lemuel AvenueLemuel Avenue is located in East Camden. The street appears to be named for Lemuel Horner, who owned a large parcel of land in what later became East Camden prior to 1900. The southwest corner of North 31st Street and Lemuel Avenue was once the site… Read more: Lemuel Avenue
- Company K VolunteersRank Name Joined Departed Captain Timothy C. Moore September 9, 1861 January 14, 1863 (Resigned) Captain Thomas M. K. Lee March 2, 1863 First Lieutenant Thomas Goodman September 9, 1861 Detached to the 4th Artillery Regiment First Lieutenant Benjamin D. Coley January 2, 1863 Promoted to… Read more: Company K Volunteers
- Regimental History – The Second BrigadeDerived from George Reeser Prowell’s History of Camden County NJ Camden County was also strongly represented in the Second New Jersey Brigade of three years’ troops, which was composed of the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Regiments. Companies D, E, G, I and K, of the… Read more: Regimental History – The Second Brigade
- Regimental History – NJ Sixth InfantryColonels: James T. Hatfield, Gershom Mott, George C. Burling Lieut.-Colonels: Simpson R. Stroud, John P. Van Leer, Stephen R. Gilkyson Majors: Theodore W. Baker, John Willian This regiment was organized under the provisions of an act of Congress, approved July 22, 1861, and was fully organized,… Read more: Regimental History – NJ Sixth Infantry
- Gloria C. LopreteGloria LoPrete was born Gloria Troiano. She learned to bake fresh bread and rolls by hand while working alongside her father, who ran the Unique Bakery at 913 South 3rd Street in South Camden for many years. She later married Donato LoPrete, and together they founded… Read more: Gloria C. Loprete
- Virgil WillettVirgil Willett was born in Pennsylvania around 1838 to Joseph P. and Elizabeth Willett. His father worked as a mason, and Virgil spent his early years in Moorland, Montgomery County. He came to Camden after 1850 and married Leonora Campbell on August 18, 1862. The following… Read more: Virgil Willett
- Albert A. MungioliAlbert Arthur Mungioli lived at 314 Stevens Street and served as a Justice of the Peace in Camden during the early 1930s. In this role, he presided over neighborhood-level cases, including hearings on non-support and assault charges, which were common in the courts of the Depression… Read more: Albert A. Mungioli
- William FergusonWilliam Ferguson managed the Ferguson Baseball Club, one of several teams active in Camden during the early 1890s. Baseball was a popular pastime in the city at the time, with local clubs competing for attention after the brief rise and fall of the nationally known Merritt… Read more: William Ferguson
- Temple Theatre
415 Market Street, Camden, NJ Camden's first true theater, the Temple Theater, opened in 1892 as a Masonic building. Before it existed, Camden residents had to take a ferry across the Delaware River to see first‑class theatrical productions. The stage attracted many leading performers of the… Read more: Temple Theatre - Interactive Map of Camden, NJ BoundariesOfficial geographic boundaries of Camden, NJ.
- Edward SchlorerEdward Schlorer was born in Baden, Germany, in 1860. He came to Camden in 1889 to join his younger brother, Adam Schlorer, who had established a meat business at Second and Arch Streets. That business had moved to 800–804 Chestnut Street in 1888 and remained there… Read more: Edward Schlorer
- John Anthony SmithJohn Anthony Ssmith worked part-time for many years at the Mr. Meat butcher shop at Federal Street and Route 130. Locally he was regarded as a pleasant man who struggled with a serious drinking problem and had no permanent address. On October 18, 2007, four teenagers… Read more: John Anthony Smith