100 Years Ago In Camden County

We can't forget what happened 6 months ago, but for now let's look at what happened 100 years ago. What was Camden County like in 1902? What was going on? What businesses were running? Who controlled the utilities? In 1902, Camden County was made up of Woodlynne, Winslow, Waterford, Voorhees, Pennsauken, Mecrhantville, Haddonfield, Haddon Township, Gloucester Township, Gloucester City, Delaware Township, Collingswood, Chesilhurst, Camden City. Areas including Audubon, Berlin, and Oaklyn hadn't yet been incorporated.

The original jail and court house had been built at the end of the 19th century. (The original court house cost only $68,343.20!) None of the major roadways we know today had been started yet. The Burlington Pike was the first, though, and it was started in 1904, finished in 1928, and cost $185,000.00.

Back then, Camden County made its most significant growth in the development of its institutional opportunities for the indigent, chronically ill, mentally ailing, tubercular, and misguided young among its residents. In other words, Camden County became a community that took on the challenge of caring for its unfortunate.

As well, Camden County spent the time and money to develop its educational facilities. The County School Superintendent, Albert Bean, is known to have said, "The progress of the past century brings with it the hope that similar advances int he next hundred years will provide the children with the training, education, and experience needed in a modern democracy."

As a place where everyone could find a home, find a job, or get a good education, Camden County was a great place to be.

Here are some noteworthy events that occurred in Camden County in 1902:

A severe outbreak of smallpox struck Camden, with 74 cases in 1 month. The city isolation hospital was put into use.

The Blizzard of February 17th paralyzed traffic; the sleet storm the followed broke down wires, plunging the area into darkness, and electrocuting seven horses.

The shipbuilding firm of Quigley & Dorp organized in February, with a plant at Cooper's Point.

Cooper Hospital nurses' home was completed.

Camden's first $1,000,000 fire burns down Miller-Rittenhouse licorice plant at the foot of Jefferson Street.

and, Eastern Telephone & Telegraph Co. completed cable under Delaware, connecting Camden County subscribers with Philadelphia's Keystone Company subscribers.

I wonder what it cost to make a "long-distance" call back then!

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Author: R. Cohen