Fairview
Another work in progress page, this one is a result of popular demand, one might say. This page will include articles and pictures about the past and present of Fairview.
As with most everything else on this web-site, it’s a work in progress, and I welcome your participation—
Phil Cohen
Camden NJ
Parkside and Whitman Park — Map, 1914
Parkside and Whitman Park — neighborhood map published in 1914.
Camden First — 1925
Camden Daily Courier — 1925
FAIRVIEW— as Mr. Brigham so lovingly dilates upon— was built because of and during the stress of war, by Uncle Sam. Fairview today is populated and made beautiful by his thrifty children. America’s most noted City Planners frequently visit Fairview for fresh ideas, and they always find them.
—Editor, Camden First
Camden and Her Attractive Suburbs: Fairview
By John V. Brigham, of The Camden Daily Courier Staff
FAIRVIEW wasn’t thought much of by the rest of the folks as Camden’s fairest property.
But ask any home-owning citizen of that section—walk down any street in Fairview and say “How do you like living here?” to the first man you encounter—and he’ll tell you, perhaps with a touch of sad regret that the little city failed to recognize it as the most favorably bid real estate proposition in the United States.
The most remarkable thing internationally-famed housing authorities have proclaimed for years—that Fairview real estate is the best buy in the United States.
Camden has the world’s greatest machine factory, the world’s longest suspension bridge. You haven’t heard of Yorkship? You haven’t?
Just a few short years have slipped by since the end of the war, when the first real estate—the most remarkable chunk of real estate that had ever been sold at such a price—included homes and other model buildings to house and maintain the large working force of the workers who were doing the war work. These homes were sold for less than cost.
Today, the actual aggregate value of those 1,972 homes stands in excess of—are you ready for this?—the $12,000,000 mark, and the Camdenites who didn’t figure out the possibility are still crunching their teeth. Visitors from Philadelphia and New York are amazed at the prices at which homes are offered there.
A home was knocked down for $1,000—a four-room, inside dwelling. But in spite of all that, they now come with every convenience present, such as gas, electricity, good boilers, room heater, combination fuel range, and the like, and are being offered and purchased now for $4,000 and $5,000 and more. Four-room houses have recently sold at $3,500. Six-room houses, with every up-to-date modern addition, are now for sale at $4,000. The owner of the $4,000 home is subject to the same taxes—approximately $100 per year.
The rent houses at the end of a row which fronts the open commons are bringing from $4,000 to $4,500 and over.
The increase in value of over 300 per cent in a few years gives Fairview real estate the widest notice and it has attracted an enormous amount of favorable comment. Fairview is one of the happiest little communities in the country. And that means the most comfortably planned neighborhood built by the government in Camden, more so than any other ward in the city.
More than half of the 6,000 odd residents own the homes they live in, and they are—you find it more often than not—the best cared for homes in all of Camden.
So, with few exceptions, they are happy. They were built to all the original standards. They are just as well kept, as fresh and as firm as when they were built—one would think they had just been turned over to their owners fresh from the builders.
And the people themselves—real New Jersey folks—working men and their families, the fairly comfortable middle-class white collar men who call it “salary” not “wages” but are in the same position—have made Fairview a thriving and peaceful village.
Views of Fairview — About 1920
North Constitution Road — about 1920.
Looking toward Yorkship Square from South Commons, showing typical row of six-room houses, with rear of stores on left. Below: Fairview Community Baptist Church, North Commons and Sumter Road, typical of the Colonial architectural scheme obtaining throughout.
Fairview Legion Post Installs Officers
Camden Courier-Post —
C. Richard Allen, commander and other new officers of Fairview Post No. 71, American Legion were installed last night in the Legion home, 1392 Collings Road. The installing officers were Herbert A. Blizzard, state vice-commander and Dr. Samuel Loveman, past state adjutant.
In addition to Allen, the new commander, the officers installed were Harry A. Gosler, senior vice commander; John Wilson, junior vice commander; D. S. Hartman, finance officer, and William B. Davis, adjutant. Leon Reynolds, retiring commander, was presented with a watch charm. The post, during the last year, succeeded in having a baby clinic established in Fairview, conducted a 4th of July celebration, and organized a bugle corps with 40 members. One hundred veterans are members of the post.
Fairview Club Women Observe Drama Day
Camden Courier-Post —
Drama Day is being observed by the Fairview Women’s Club at a meeting in the Community Baptist Church this afternoon.
Mrs. C. Richard Allen, chairman of the drama committee, is in charge of the program, which is following the business session.
Tea is being served by a committee, consisting of Mrs. H. Furness, Mrs. G. Stanton, Mrs. Dukes, Mrs. Burnside Anderson and Mrs. Doty.
Fairview Women Give Card Party
Camden Courier-Post —
A card party for the benefit of the Fairview Woman’s Club will be held tonight at Weiss’ Hall, Yorkship Square, beginning at eight o’clock.
Mrs. David Finlaw is the chairman of the following committee in charge of the affair: Mrs. C. J. Mitchell, Mrs. George Hedge, Mrs. Aubrey Hewitt, Mrs. Leon Dudevois, Mrs. Howard Kuehn, Mrs. C. Richard Allen, Mrs. Warren Parker, and Mrs. Orson Gallup.
Bridge, five hundred and pinochle will be played.
Catholic Club to Have Fairview Card Party
Camden Courier-Post —
A card party and dance will be conducted tonight by the St. Joan of Arc Catholic Club in the school hall, Alabama and Collings road. Elmer Barrett’s Sylvanians will supply music for dancing. Officers of the club are: Thomas McDonald, president; Harry MacNamara, vice president; James MacCauley, treasurer, and Miss Marie Clark, secretary. Prizes for winners of card contests have been donated by business men of Fairview and parishioners of St. Joan of Arc Church. Dances are held every other Friday night.
Women and What They Are Doing
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. David Typer Organizing Staff in Preparatory for New Fairview Club Schedule; Audubon Plans U.S.O. Drive.
By M. Irene Frost
Mrs. David Typer, newly-elected president of the Fairview Women’s Club, has been organizing staff in preparatory for the new Fairview club schedule. She is planning a schedule of activities for the club, which will meet at her home, 2204 Alabama road.
The first club meeting will be held Wednesday afternoon. The program will be planned by the officers.
Two new projects are being considered. An antique show and an exchange table will be conducted at the season’s club meetings.
Other appointments made by Mrs. Typer include: ways and means, Mrs. Grover Tanner; Mrs. Frederick Seig; publicity, Mrs. Harold Fowler; Club Woman, Mrs. William Barnes; cards, Mrs. Henry Hillman and Mrs. Scharber; finance, Fowler Hillman; Drama Day, Mrs. Harold Fowler; membership, Mrs. Ernest Hillman; music; garden, Mrs. Leon Dudevois; scrap book, Mrs. Edward Server; Gervis Stratton; welfare, Mrs. Clifton Hamburger.
A Fairview Girl on Bandstand
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin —
Another Como, or Fisher, perhaps? Thomas DeNoble, 15, of 1221 N. 53d st., breaks into an impromptu ballad and five pretty Bandstand faithfuls seem ready to go into a swoon. From left, Carmela Murphy, 1417 E. Pasnyak ave., Barbara Milazzu, 2412 W. Toronto st., Mary Lu Spencer, Fairview, N.J., Marie Allen, 1319 N. 28th st. and Dorothy Mitchell, 5203 Rorer st.