The Rise and Fall of Camden, New Jersey - America's most dangerous city - IT'S HISTORY
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Published 2022-05-05
Camden City long served as the heart of the South Jersey region. Located directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Camden capitalized on its strategic location for shipping and is the home to the Campbell Soup Company. Unfortunately, Camden lost its once premier standing as it struggled with high poverty, crime, and environmental degradation. But what was the cause of Camden’s fall? What became of the city that once was at the height of an industrial economy?
IT’S HISTORY - Weekly tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction: Camden the city that long served as the heart of South Jersey.
00:58 Become a Lord or a Lady with Established Titles.
02:20 Camden’s location in New Jersey.
02:33 Camden’s Original European Settlers in the 17th century.
02:57 William Penn encouraged Quaker settlement in the area.
03:14 The Families of William Cooper, John Kaighn, and Archibald Mickle were among the first settlers.
03:33 William Cooper settled at Cooper’s Creek.
03:50 When Jacob Cooper turned his 40 acres into streets and lots.
04:36 When Joshua Cooper created Cooper Village.
04:51 How Edward Sharp created Camden Village.
05:36 Camden’s Ferry Services were developed and the population began to grow.
06:26 The earliest structures were built including Hotels and Taverns.
06:53 A canal was cut through windmill island in the middle of the Delaware River.
07:14 Introduction to important industries such as the Campbell’s Soup Company.
08:29 Introduction to the Camden and Atlantic Railroad and significant improvements in transportation.
10:37 Blocks of Row Housing became available for factory workers Called Factory Row Streetscape.
10:58 Camden’s ethnic population and immigration.
11:44 Places of worship began to develop all over the city from churches to synagogues.
12:49 The life and Death of the Poet Walt Whitman who lived in Camden.
13:45 Camden’s survival of the Great Depression and World War II
14:16 Why Campbell’s Soup company decided on decentralizing and many businesses followed.
15:13 Suburbanization affects the drop in population.
16:07 Urban Decay and Political corruption result in three mayors being jailed.
16:25 Camden's middle-class residents accelerated their departure from the city causing an urban renewal program.
17:14 Years of rising crime make the Morgan Quinto press rate Camden as the top 10 most dangerous cities in the US.
18:27 The rise of protests including the anti-Vietnam war activists the Camden 28.
19:07 Local Gems of Camden City that should be admired.
20:29 Camden’s Medical Schools, Colleges, and educational programs.
21:43 The mayor announces a plan to continue development on the waterfront
22:24 Closing: Camden will once again become one of New Jersey's greatest cities.
» CREDIT
Scriptwriter - Camrin Dekis,
Editor - Sebastian Ripoll
Host - Ryan Socash
» SOURCES
www.facebook.com/groups/itshistory/
» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.
All Comments (21)
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I teach in Camden, and this city absolutely has my heart. Living in jersey Suburbs my whole life I grew up with the idea that Camden was scary. I have watched it grow into a place that is rich in many cultures, and it has definitely gotten so much better in the past 10 years. I LOVE every second that I get to spend there. It feels like home for me and one day I do plan on making it home.
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Born and raised in camden definitely lost alot of friends to the system and violence but also have friends that's doing good. Definitely made me a strong minded individual 💪 now I have a family and is doing good for me and my kids. Everybody STAY BLESSED
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I'm proud to be a Camden resident. You didn't mention the cities efforts to bring back Manufacturing businesses, the action pack warehouse that was just completed along with resin tech and Holtec International ( my employer), which brought 100s of jobs back into the city, I tend to look at camdens future as bright . Hey thanks for the video man.
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This one hits home for me. I’ve never lived in Camden, but I live not far away in Camden County. It just pains me to see not one, not two, not three, but four cities in my area suffer badly in the second half of the 20th Century. Atlantic City, Trenton, Camden, and Philadelphia
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The loss of manufacturing plays a major role in many cities in the USA turning into dumps.
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Lived in the area my whole life, it is absolutely getting better and is significantly better than it used to be, still got a big ways to go, but I’m proud it’s making strides 💜
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Camden is getting significantly better these years. I’ve lived in the area for my whole life and I can 100% confirm that significant efforts have been made to curb crime and poverty. Still, there’s a lot to be done yet
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I’m a lineman work on the power lines. In June of 2020 we went to south jersey to assist PSEG for restoring power. This was during the riots in Philadelphia. They sent us into Camden. We were all worried they were going to attack us and that it would get ugly. North side of the bridge was unicorns and rainbows. Where the college is. We had to work on the south side. This was straight up ghetto. And you know what… everyone was so grateful for us to be there helping to get there power on. The gangsters made sure nobody stole anything from us or messed with us. It was amazing. So much gratitude. Great people. The next day we had to work in some rich neighborhood… they were all entitled assholes l, did nothing but bitch at us. So ungrateful. I told my supervisor to please send us back to Camden. Great people there.
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Camden should consider setting a precedent in NJ and reform zoning, build up transit oriented walkable neighborhoods like whats found in many European cities. Embrace the city's heritage and rebuild row homes, and work in conjunction with Philadelphia to revitalize the corridor. I'm sure if efforts were properly invested and plans upheld, the city could boom again in ~25 years. I feel like most of the problem is "Camden is failing so lets not fix it because it be a waste," but it needs that investment and help to come back
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My dad was born and raised in Camden in the 1930s and 40s. He worked in Camden fixing people's heater and was known as the heater man. He could leave his work van unlocked and nobody touched it, because they knew he was the guy that fixed their heaters.
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So very sad that Camden has become what it is. My grandfather grew up there and always told stories of what a lovely city it was. My other grandfather worked for Campbell Soup. I’m a Campbell’s kid!
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Camden also had the Victor Talking Machine Company which was purchased by Radio Corporation of America (RCA).
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I graduated from Camden High school in 1977. Camden was a middle class black city complete with the ultimate in school spirit! The proud Panthers with color guards (Purple and Gold),cheerleaders, boosters, marching band and yours truly the mascot. We had manicured lawns, respect, pride and manners. We knew our neighbors and genuinely cared about each other. I lived right across the street from the football field which also had a track. Campbell's Soup and Zinman Furs were staples. Camden was also home to the Victrola. I have not been back since 1977 as it is heartbreaking.
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Sadly Campbell’s field was torn down about 2 years ago. Such a shame too, beautiful little ball yard. Great spot to watch a game with a terrific view of the city skyline
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I worked on the construction lending side on projects that fully renovated 3 large charter schools in Camden. I’ve had many current and past affordable housing, charter school, senior and assisted living projects in mid-town Detroit, Richmond Virginia, southeast Washington D.C., Oakland California, and Baltimore City and I’ve always wished that more mission driven lenders and investors would make their way into South Jersey… Love to see you do a video on Southeast Washington D.C. or the Oliver neighborhood in Baltimore City, Maryland. Both in the same vein as Camden. Great vid 👏
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RCA VICTOR RECORDS was also based in Camden for years. In the 1950's they began to release vintage recordings from the label's archive in LP form on their budget label CAMDEN RECORDS. Many of these recordings had been out of print for decades and were appearing on LP for the first time.
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I lived in Camden for a couple years, on Baird Blvd and Marlton pike, which is one of the nicer parts, but there were times when I would miss the last bus home from work, forcing me to walk 3 miles through the north side, past Walter Rand transportation center, which is the epicenter for drug activity, and violence. It was so dangerous that a cop stopped me one night, because he knew I didn't belong there, especially late at night. After I explained why, he gave me a ride, home, and continued to do it anytime he spotted me. By the time I ended up moving, we were so familiar we were on a first name basis, and I even gave him a gift card for Dunkin donuts as a token of appreciation. He was tickled pink at my choice 😆
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You failed to mention RCA.... The largest industrial employer in Camden for generations
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Never knew about this history. My dad grew up in Camden in the 60's/70's and I lived there with my parents, then first-time homeowners, until we left in the 80s. My 96 yo grandmom is still there and the heart of the current residents should not be overlooked. Still a lot of poverty, but there is also a lot of development and work being done to bring back jobs, including the recent opening of Camden's first hotel in 50 years.
