Introduction
More or less the equivalent of the modern golf course and country club, The Stockton Rifle Range Association was organized by Samuel H. French and a group of Civil War veteran officers including General William Joyce Sewell in 1866. When first established it was laid out on 43 and one half acres in the Wrightsville section of old Stockton Township, more or less in the vicinity of the present-day John F. Kennedy Towers senior citizen apartment building at South 20th Street and Watson Street in East Camden.
In 1885 George Reeder Prowell wrote in his History of Camden County, New Jersey the following:
The range proper is provided with the best improved batteries and firing grounds in the United States. As originally built, it contained ranges up to one thousand yards; but as this was seldom used, it was deemed advisable to reduce it to six hundred yards. The New Jersey and Pennsylvania Rifle Clubs and teams, the Pennsylvania National Guards, and other national military companies meet at this place, and the range is provided with magazines and closets for the exclusive use of the different State organizations.
Soon after the rifle range was started an additional forty six and one-half acres of ground was laid out in connection with the grounds of the range, as a park and pleasure resort, making the park ninety acres in extent.
The park was known as Stockton Park, and in time the entire ninety acre complex was known by that name. It fell into disuse after Stockton Township merged with the City of Camden. Old Stockton Park’s last recreational use was by Camden naturalist Warren E. Buck. Raised at 1902 Stockton Park, he operated a zoo on the grounds during the late 1920s and on into the 1930s before relocating his operation to a site along Marlton Pike (State Highway 70), east of the rail line that crossed that thoroughfare, in what was then Delaware Township (present day Cherry Hill) NJ. The site was also used during the depression by local gardeners to grow vegetables, and most likely also was used for that purpose during World War II.
Invitation to the Opening of the Stockton Rifle Range
Stockton Rifle-Range Association —
THE MANAGERS of the Stockton Rifle-Range Association Request the pleasure of your presence at the Opening of the Range, Monday, May 12th, ‘79. At 9 o’clock, A. M.
DIRECTORS. General Geo. W. Gile, President, Jacob C. Dauman, Vice-President, Lieut. Col. R. H. Lee, Secretary, Lieut. Col. Saml. Hufty, Treasurer, Lieut. Col. D. B. Murphy, Commandant, General Wm. J. Sewell, Major William M. Palmer, Captain Emmor D. French, John S. Lee.
EX OFFICIO DIRECTORS. Major General Gershum Mott, Major General Wm. S. Stryker, Major General Lewis Perrine, Brig. General Jos. W. Plume, Brig. General Wm. H. Sterling, Col. Daniel Lodor.
Programme of the Spring Meeting and Opening of the Stockton Rifle Range Association
Stockton Rifle Range Association —
STOCKTON RIFLE RANGE, CAMDEN, N. J. GRAND OPENING MONDAY, MAY 12th, 1879. Mimms & Millikin, Printers.
PROGRAMME OF THE SPRING MEETING AND OPENING OF THE Stockton Rifle Range Association, AT Stockton Range, CAMDEN, N. J. Commencing Monday, May 12th, 1879.
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE Stockton Rifle Range Association, 1879.
OFFICERS. President, Genl. Geo. W. Gile. Vice President, Jacob C. Dauman. Secretary, Lt. Col. Richard H. Lee. Commandant, Col. D. B. Murphy. Treasurer, Col. Samuel Hufty. Engineer and Surveyor, John Shultz.
DIRECTORS. Maj. Genl. W. J. Sewell, Maj. Genl. G. W. Gile, Colonel Samuel Hufty, Lieut. Col. Daniel B. Murphy, Lieut. Col. Richard H. Lee, Major William M. Palmer, Captain Emmor D. French, John S. Lee, Jacob C. Dauman.
EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS. Maj. Genl. Gershom Mott, Maj. Genl. Lewis Perrine, Maj. Genl. William S. Stryker, Brig. Genl. Wm. H. Sterling, Colonel Daniel Loder.
Monday, May 12th, at 12 o’clock, noon. ”REMINGTON MATCH.” First competition for a Remington Creedmoor Rifle, value $100, presented by Messrs. Remington & Son, 283 Broadway, N. Y. Open to all comers. Distance, 200 yards. Position, standing. Two sighting and ten scoring shots. Weapon, any rifle except muzzle loader. Entrance fee, $1.00. Rifle to be won three times, not necessarily consecutive, before becoming the property of the person winning the same.
Monday, May 12th, at 1.30 P. M. INTER-STATE MILITARY MATCH. Prize a Silver Trophy, presented by the Directors of the Stockton Rifle Range Association. Open to Teams of Six from any organized of the National Guard or Militia of any State, or of the Regular Army or Navy of the United States. Distance, 200 and 500 yards. Position, standing at 200; any with face towards target at 500. Seven shots at each distance. Weapon, any military rifle. Entrance fee, $1.00.
Monday, May 12th, at 3 P. M. ”STOCKTON BADGE” MATCH. Prize a Gold Badge, presented by Hon. John P. Stockton, Attorney General of New Jersey. Open to members of the National Guard of the State of New Jersey. Distance, 200 yards. Position, standing. Two sighting and ten scoring shots. Weapon, any rifle. To be shot for annually.
Tuesday, May 13th, at 12 o’clock, noon. ”STOCKTON RANGE” MATCH. Prize a Gold Medal, presented by Stockton Rifle Range Association. Open to all comers. Distance, 200, 500 and 600 yards. Position, standing at 200; any with face towards target at 500; any at 600. One sighting and seven scoring shots at each distance. Weapon, any military rifle. Entrance fee, 50 cents.
Tuesday, May 13th, at 3 P. M. ”JOHN WANAMAKER’S” MATCH. Prize an Officer’s Uniform, presented by John Wanamaker & Co., of 818 and 820 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Open to Officers of the National Guard of any State. Distance, 200 and 500 yards. Position, standing at 200; any with face towards target at 500. Weapon, any military rifle. Entrance fee, $1.50.
Wednesday, May 14, at 12 o’clock, noon. ”PERRINE MATCH.” A valuable prize offered by the Quarter Master General of New Jersey. Open to members of the National Guard of New Jersey. Distance, 100, 200 and 500 yards. Position, according to military rules. Five shots at each distance. The score made in this match will be allowed as a record for the Marksman’s Badge of New Jersey. Entrance fee, 50 cents.
Wednesday, May 14, at 1.30 P. M. ”Schuyler, Hartley & Graham” Match. A Case of Pistols, presented by Messrs. Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, of New York. Open to all comers. Distance, 200 yards. Position, standing. Weapon, any rifle. No sighting, 10 scoring shots. No cleaning of weapon allowed during the firing of this match. Entrance fee, 50 cents.
Thursday, May 15, at 12 o’clock, noon. ”HORSTMAN MATCH.” Sword and Belt, presented by Horstman & Co., of Philada. Open to the National Guards of any State. Distance, 100, 200 and 300 yards. Weapon, any military rifle. Position, in accordance with military rules. Entrance fee, $1.00.
Thursday, May 15, at 1.30 P. M. Prize—A Life Membership in Stockton Range Association value $25.00. Open to all comers. Distance, 200 yards. Position, standing. Weapon, any rifle. Two sighting and 10 scoring shots. Entrance fee, 50 cents.
Friday, May 16, at 12 o’clock, noon. ”MOTT” MATCH. A fac-simile, in gold, of the Marksman’s Badge of the State of New Jersey, presented by the Major General commanding the National Guard. Value $50.00. Open to General, and General Staff, and Field and Staff Officers of the New Jersey National Guard. Distance, 100, 200 and 300 yards. Five shots at each distance. Position, in accordance with military rules. Weapon, Springfield Breech Loader, calibre 45. The score made in this match will be allowed as a record for the Marksman’s Badge of New Jersey. Entrance fee, $1.00.
Friday, May 16, at 3 P. M. SHARP RIFLE MATCH. Open to all comers. Distance, 200 yards. Position, standing. Ten shots. Weapon, any rifle. Entrance fee, 50 cents. To be won three times, not necessarily consecutive, before becoming the property of the person winning the same. Value $25.
Saturday, May 17, at 12 o’clock, noon. ADJUTANT GENERAL MATCH. A valuable Rifle, presented by the Adjutant General of New Jersey. Open to members of the National Guard of New Jersey. To be presented to the Officer or Soldier making the highest aggregate score during the season of 1879, upon the Stockton Rifle Range.
Saturday, May 17, at 3 P. M. ALL COMERS’ MATCH. Distance, 100 yards. Position, standing. Ten scoring shots. Weapon, any rifle. Entrance fee, 50 cents. Prize—To the person making the highest score One-Half of Entrance Fee.
TERMS OF ADMISSION TO RANGE GROUNDS. 1. Life and annual members of the N. R. A., upon showing their badges or membership tickets to the gate keeper, will be admitted on foot, on horseback or in carriages. If accompanied in their carriages by gentlemen not members of the Association, each such person shall pay 25 cents. 2. Each male person over twelve years of age, not a member of the Association, whether a competitor or not in any match, shall pay 25 cents. 3. Ladies will be admitted free. Admission Tickets can be purchased at the office of the Association, or at the entrance to the Range.
NOTICE TO COMPETITORS. Competitors must make themselves acquainted with the Regulations, as also the conditions in which they have entered, as in neither case will the plea of ignorance be entertained. Competitors are particularly notified to watch the Bulletin Boards, and should refer to them daily, both morning and afternoon, before shooting commences, to ascertain whether any orders have been issued which alters or affects the original programme. When at the firing point they must comply with all orders given by the Range Officer in charge. No match will be commenced with less than ten competitors. By the word “any,” which frequently appears in the conditions as to “position” and “weapon” prescribed by the foregoing competitions, it is understood to mean “any” within the Rules of the National Rifle Association. Competitors retiring from a match forfeit all claims therein. Regimental commanders are requested to detail an officer to report to the Chief Executive Officer upon the Range on each day of the National Guard Matches. One of these officers will be assigned to each of the firing points, and will, in connection with the score-keeper, keep a record of the firing; and any disagreement between such officer and score keeper will be decided by the Superintendent of the firing point, subject to appeal, as provided for in the Regulations. Each team shall appoint a responsible person to act as Supervisor, whose duty it shall be to see that the Rules of the N. R. A. are strictly adhered to by the team at whose target he may be assigned. Member’s tickets, can be obtained at the office of the Association, or upon the Range, on payment of $3.
TIME OF ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF TRAINS. TO RANGE. Leave New York, 8 15, 10 55 A. M. Jamesburg, 7 25, 9 44 Hightstown, 7 43, 10 03 Trenton, 7 55, 10 16, 12 54 P. M. Bordentown, 8 14, 10 35, 1 11 Burlington, 8 43, 11 00, 1 40 Arrive at Range, 9 16, 11 35, 2 25 Leave Hightstown, 6 45 Mt. Holly, 8 00, 11 01, 2 20 P. M. Arrive at Range, 8 45, 11 46, 3 05 Leave Philadelphia, 10 30, 11 10, 12 00, 1 10 FROM RANGE. For Philadelphia, 3 04, 4 15, 4 56, 5 16, 7 06, 7 21 P. M. For Burlington and Bordentown, 2 15 P. M. For Burlington, Bordentown, Trenton and New York, 3 45, 4 45 and 5 45, P. M. For Mt. Holly, 4 05, 5 15 and 6 47 P. M. A line of Coaches will run from Ferries to Range.
At the Rifle Range
Philadelphia Inquirer —
At the Rifle Range. — The managers of the Stockton Rifle Range have arranged for several additional important matches, the first of which is to come off on the 13th proximo, consisting of a regimental rifle team of seven, and the prize a set of silver, distance 200 and 500 yards. Also a company team match, with teams of four, prize, a set of silverware, distance, 200 and 500 yards. A Stockton Range match for all comers, prize, silver trophy; 200 yards. National Guard match, open to members of the National Guard of any State, prize, a gold scarf pin; 200 yards. All comers’ match, five prizes, 200 yards. Everybody’s match, four prizes; 200 yards. An increased interest has been taken in the Stockton Range, and it is reported that it will be made the official range in the State of New Jersey.
Philadelphia Inquirer — April 27, 1880
Stockton Rifle Range Abandoned
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Owing to the failure of the Legislature of New Jersey to make an appropriation to pay the rent of the Stockton rifle range, near Camden, the Board of Directors, on Friday, decided to surrender its lease to the owner, Capt. Emmor French. Early on Saturday morning Captain French took possession of the range and immediately set a force of men at work tearing down the fence. The abandonment of the range will interfere with several events that had been arranged for the militia of the city at the Stockton grounds.
Stockton Rifle Range to Be Sold
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Stockton Rifle Range is to be sold on the 1st of September by Sheriff Gibbs, of Camden county, on foreclosure, to satisfy a claim held by John S. Lee.
Bicycle Races at Camden
New York Times —
Good Races, Although the Track Was in Poor Condition.
Camden, N. J., Oct. 24. — The bicycle races of the Camden wheelmen were run yesterday afternoon on their new track at Stockton Park in the presence of 1,000 spectators. The track, owing to the continued drought, was in poor condition, which accounts for the slow time made.
New York Times — October 25, 1886
Camden Notes.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
James Ware, of the Board of Education, has announced himself as a candidate for Councils from the Eighth ward.
The Democrats of Camden elect delegates to the State Convention to-night to nominate a Gubernatorial candidate. The convention will be held on the 10th instant.
At the picnic of the Ninth Ward Club at Stockton yesterday, a nine composed of members of the latter organization were defeated in a game of ball by the Third Ward Club, by a score of 13 to 6.
The political fight that every one expected would occur in the Republican camp, in Camden, between J. Willard Morgan’s friends, or the “young syndicate,” on one side, and the friends of General Sewell on the other, is off.
The Republican voters of the Sixth ward will ask the County Committee to decide how many delegates they are entitled to in the State Convention. Before the lines were changed they were allowed two delegates, according to the representatives, but since the ward has been redistricted some of the workers think they should have four delegates.
Assault Near Stockton Park
Philadelphia Inquirer —
William Davis and George Plum, of Wrightsville, while returning home from Camden early yesterday morning, were set upon by two men near Stockton Park, and Davis was knocked down and beaten about the face and head. After the assault he missed his watch. Plum, who was struck, but escaped a beating, recognized the men as Michael J. Cleary and James Brown, of Camden, and it was learned that they had been drinking in Stockton Park and had been put out about midnight. The men have not been arrested. Brown is under bail for an assault committed in Camden about a week ago.
Warrants for Special Officers
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Justice Schmitz, of Camden, last evening issued warrants for the arrest of Samuel Collins and Jacob Schiller, Jr., special officers at Stockton Park. They are charged by John S. Smith and Charles J. Welsh, of Camden, with assault and battery with a blackjack, at the picnic of the Volksfest Verein at Stockton Park yesterday afternoon.
Swiss Picnicker Dies at Stockton Park
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Friends of Julius Spoore, the Swiss picnicker, who was prostrated by the heat at Stockton Park and died in the Cooper Hospital, claimed the body yesterday. He lived at 813 Shallow street, Philadelphia.
End of the Turn Fest
Philadelphia Inquirer —
German Athletes Paraded and Some of the Prizes Were Awarded.
The three days’ session of the seventeenth turnfest of the Philadelphia District Turn Verein came to a close last evening in Camden. The various societies formed in line at 10 o’clock in front of Turner Hall and marched over the principal streets. A platoon of police under command of Lieutenant Foster, headed the line. Mayor Westcott and invited guests in carriages followed. Then came the City Band, the rifle section of the Philadelphia Turngemeine [sic], the Active Turners of the visiting societies, a cavalcade of Turners, ladies classes in carriages and coaches and the boys and girls classes.
The contests at Stockton Park included individual bar exercises, horse work, rope climbing, jumping, running, putting the shot, pole vaulting, dumb bells, bicycle races and wrestling.
At a late hour last night the judges had not finished awarding the prizes. Emil Lingerman and H. Doerschner, of the Camden Turn Verein, secured the first and second prizes respectively for wrestling. Emil Doerschner, of the same society, was awarded first prize for field sports. J. Scharf, of the Camden Turn Verein, won the mile bicycle race in 3.10 3-5.
The Philadelphia Turngemeinde took the first prize for team work. The Camden Turn Verein made more points, but were handicapped by having but fourteen men in the team against the winning society’s thirty-six men.
The visiting societies will be entertained to-day at Washington Park.
Thieves at Stockton Park Residence
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Thieves attempted to rob the residence of Charles Kleeman, in Stockton Park, Camden, early yesterday morning. The watchman fired four shots at the robbers, but they escaped.
Narrow Escape
Philadelphia Inquirer —
While skating on Stockton Park Lake, East Camden, yesterday Martin Goldsmith and Norman Wohlken, boys, narrowly escaped drowning. They ventured on thin ice and broke through. Fortunately they were close to shore and managed to scramble to safety.