Introduction
Camden's brewery at Fillmore and Bulson Streets was built in 1904 by Joseph Baumgartner. The firm was known as the Camden City Brewery Incorporated until it was acquired by Frederick A. Poth, and operated by F.A. Poth & Sons Inc., a Philadelphia based brewery, in 1910. The plant was then modernized to current standards of the time.
The firm was operated F.A. Poth & Sons Incorporated of New Jersey before Prohibition. During the 1920s the brewery came under the control of Philadelphia based bootlegger Mickey Duffy, and was a major source of revenue for him until his murder in 1931. Another crime figure, Edgar “Blondy” Wallace, had an interest in the brewery but apparently was out of the picture by the fall of 1934.
Photos of The Camden County Beverage Company
Camden Beer Brewery, circa 1950
Courtesy Rick Grenda and History in South Jersey
At first glance this appears to be a stadium scoreboard. Camden Beer and the Courier Post would suggest that it would be the Phillies scoreboard and they would be the home team. So why are they shown as the away team?
In the summer of 1950, the Philles Whiz Kids were leading the league and headed to the World Series. In August, the Camden County Beverage Co and the Courier Post newspaper teamed up an erected this scoreboard in Camden at the base of the Ben Frankin Bridge. They hired a score keeper to display the scores for every game thru the remainder of the season and the World Series. The Phils lost the series in 4 straight.
The sign stayed up for a few more seasons.
Camden City Brewery Bottle
1912 Camden City Directory Advertisement for Camden Beer
The firm of F.A. Poth & Sons, Incorporated, of New Jersey, brewers of lager beer, sprang into existence in the year 1910, as the result of a desire on the part of the parent concern, F.A. Poth & Sons, Incorporated, of Pennsylvania to give the people of Camden a Brewery of their own, as a mark of appreciation for the generous patronage it had received for twenty-five years or more.
To carry out this desire, the plant of The Camden City Brewery Incorporated was acquired and modernized, so as to make it a Model Brewery for its size.
Today it stands as a Camden concern, serving the inhabitants of Camden and vicinity.
Paying Taxes to Camden; Buying its suppliers in Camden; Doing its Banking in Camden; Employing Camden labor where possible.
F.A. Poth and Sons Incorporated of New Jersey. Fillmore, Bulson and Sixth Streets, Camden, N.J.
In the New Brown Bottle. No Deposit * Non-Returnable. Camden Pilsner * Beer * Lager * Lord Camden Ale
A "NEW" Camden Beer Truck ready to go! The body was built and painted by T.C. Tiedeken & Brothers at 425 Van Hook Street. The brewery's impact on Camden went beyond its customers and employees. The Camden brewery and other similar factories were a source of business for many businesses, such as hardware companies, office supply houses, and as illustrated here, the nearby Tiedeken auto and truck body works.
Camden Brewery - 1936-08-27
Camden Beer brewery as seen from Broadway & Bulson Street, circa 1950.
Brewery as seen from South 6th Street
Looking at the Camden Brewery from South 8th and Bulson Streets, November 10, 1942
Camden Beer Light Lager Can
Stubby's Quarts and Pints - Lord Camden Ale Patch
Camden Beer Coaster
Camden Pilsner Beer
The “Camden Special” was a near beer containing less than 1% alcohol, bottled for and distributed by the Camden Bottling Company.
Fire at the vacant Brewery - July 26, 1964
Coasters for Camden Beer
Camden Beer Labels
Bock Beer Button
Coasters for Camden Beer
Beer Tap
A Camden Beer Church Key
A Camden Beer Opener
A Camden Beer Key fob and nickel holder
Camden Beer Quart Label
Camden Beer Green Coaster
Camden Beer Bottle - Balance Brewed
Camden Beer Keychain
After the brewery closed, Camden Beer was still sold, brewed and packaged by Esslinger in Philadelphia, and distributed out of Camden and Newark. The can aabove was part of this production.
Camden Beer Keychain
Letter to Camden County Beverage Company - July 30th, 1955
Tax Stamp
Camden Beer Has the Taste
The company used several advertising slogans, but None Better became the most familiar and appeared on the majority of the advertisements for Camden Beer.
Camden Beer - None Better
Camden Beer Lighter
Camden Beer Matchbooks
Camden Beer Cases
Camden City Brewery and Lord Camden Ale bottles
Anecdotes
From 1948 to 1951 when I worked at the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, after work we the people that worked there went to the Greenwich Bar on Greenwich Street, downtown New York for a few beers. They had Camden Beer and to this day that was the best beer that I had ever had. I was thinking tonight of the beer I had then and wondered where and if there is any place that I could get that kind of beer again. I have never heard of Camden Beer any place before or after. I wonder now if it is still being made and where it can be purchased. I am now 75 years old and I am very glad to tell you what a good beer that was and how much we all enjoyed it. It sure was a good beer, good foam and a great taste, the foam was just as good as the taste. — Ray Nickerson, May 22, 2005
New Camden Brewery
Philadelphia Inquirer -
New Camden Brewery
Joseph Baumgartner, of Sioux City, Ia., to Build $200,000 Plant
Joseph Baumgartner, of Sioux City, Ia., has purchased two acres of land at Bulson street and Chelten avenue, Camden, N.J., from the Camden Manufacturers' Land COmpany for $20,000, upon which he intends to build a modern brewing plant
Architects and Engineers Goelle, Speth & Co., of this city, have been comissioned to prepare plans and specifications for a new plant, which it is reported will cost about $200,000.
The buildings that will constitute the plant will include a large brewery, storage house, grain elevator, offices and stables. The reason for Mr. Baumgartner locating in Camden is because of its excellent water.
Poths Buy Camden Brewery
Trenton Evening Times -
CAMDEN, March 7.—J.C.B. Morley has sold the plant of the Camden City Brewery, occupying a square of ground at Sixth and Fillmore Streets, Camden, to the F.A. Poth & Sons Brewing Co., Inc., of Philadelphia, for a consideration of about $500,000. The sale includes, in addition to the real estate, the stock, fixtures, and equpment of the Camden plant. The new owners will make additions to the plant purchased, to cost about $100,000, and will largely increase its output. The buildings of the Camden plant include a large brewery, bottling house, malt house and stables. Title has already been taken by F.A. Poth & Sons' Company
Compensation Award
Philadelphia Inquirer -
According to a ruling made by Referee Goas, of the Employers' Compensation Bureau in Camden, the Poth Brewing Company must pay Christian Heitman, of 1631 Fillmore Street, $10 a week for forty-two weeks for injuries received when he was struck int he eye with a hoop while he was riveting a keg. The man's sight is alleged to have been impaired.
Brewery Office Ran Sacked in Mystery Theft
Camden Courier-Post -
Two Rooms Turned Upside Down But Safe Is Not Robbed
Police Think Papers Were Burglars' Goal
Officials of Camden Firm Are Unable to Explain Motive of Attempt
Burglars ransacked the offices of the Camden County Beverage Company early yesterday but what they took, if anything, had not been disclosed late last night.
In a mystery “robbery” that has police puzzled, the thieves broke through a glass window on the rear loading platform, climbed inside and proceeded to turn three different offices of the brewery “inside out” in their quest.
The handle off the huge safe in the wall of the first-floor office, was broken, but the safe had not been opened according to Detectives Benjamin Simon and Clifford Del Rossi.
But it, appeared to have been the only thing not opened by the intruders.
Waste Baskets Searched
Filing cabinets and desk drawers were pulled out and their contents littered the floor. Even a wastebasket had been searched and its contents strewn about.
Apparently finding nothing of value on the first floor, the thieves, or thief made their way to the second floor where another office of the concern was ransacked from top to bottom.
Entrance to the brewery was made between 6 a. m. and 7 a. m. A watchman, Richard McKinley, who lives at 550 Chelton Avenue left the building at 6 o'clock and Olaf J. Hall, a bookkeeper arrived there at 7. a.m.
Hall went immediately to a second floor office where he saw several of the filing cabinets and desks had been gone through, but he failed to report it to his, superiors.
According to Frank R. Allison, secretary and treasurer of the brewery, Hall believed someone connected with the brewery had been searching for something, and being in a hurry had forgotten to replace things as he found them.
The “robbery” was not noticed until Nicholas Enderle, brewmaster, entered the building shortly before noon. He saw the offices on the first. floor in disorder and notified Allison.
The latter notified police, who could not learn whether anything of value had been stolen.
Were Seeking Papers
Detective Simon advanced a theory that the thieves had, been in search of valuable papers, rather than cash.
McKinley was questioned at the plant and declared that everything was “in order” when he left. He said two police dogs were left on the rear platform to guard against thieves. Later it was learned the dogs followed McKinley to his home.
The Camden County Beverage Company has been cited by the government on a rule to show cause why its 3.2 beer permit should not be revoked. The hearing on the citation was, scheduled for May 22, but, has been postponed indefinitely to await the conclusion of other cita-tion hearings.
Allison said he did not know of any valuable papers that would interest thieves. He expressed belief the robbers sought collections made by drivers on Saturday and kept in the brewery office until the banks open on Monday.
Pictures show how burglars ransacked the offices of the Camden County Cereal Beverage Company, Broadway and Bulson Street, yesterday after breaking into the brewery through a rear window. Detectives Benjamin Simon and Clifford Del Rossi are shown "looking things over" in the lower photo while Del Rossi is searching for possible fingerprints in the top picture. The robbers apparently failed to find what they were looking for.
Camden Brewery 'Trial' Date is Set
Camden Courier-Post -
Hearing on Revocation of Permit Starts in Post Office Building Aug. 21
Hearing in the revocation of permit proceedings against the Camden County Cereal Beverage Company will be held in the post office building here August 21.
That was announced yesterday by Leo A. Crossen, recently appointed supervisor of industrial alcohol permits or this district.
Crossen said there is a possibility, however, that the place of the hearing may be changed to the federal building in Philadelphia. Notice of the hearing has been sent to officials of the brewery and counsel, Crossen said.
The hearer has not been selected, Crossen said, but Norman J. Morrison, ace prosecutor in Attorney General Homer S. Cummings' staff, will present the case for the government.
Meanwhile yesterday it was an-nounced that the Harrison Beverage Company had lost its appeal to have set aside the order revoking its permit.
A special federal board of review which last week heard “new evidence” offered by the brewery, and reviewed testimony given at the orig-inal citation hearing, recommended that the permit revocation stand.
Brewery counsel has 10 days in which to file an appeal with Dr. James T. Doran, commissioner of industrial alcohol. During these 10 days the brewery may operate. If Dr. Doran upholds the board's de-cision, however, the brewery will be ordered closed.
Harold Simandl, former Newark police judge and attorney for the brewery, said he would carry an appeal to the highest courts if Dr. Doran ruled against him.
Brewery Here Facing Closing May Be Sold Before Trial
Camden Courier-Post -
Camden Concern Expected to Be Bought by Ice Cream Company
Hassel and Duffy Listed Among Owners
Revocation of Permit Hearing Will Start Here August 21
Sale of the Camden County Cereal Beverage Company by its present owners is scheduled before August 21, the date of its revocation of permit hearing on charges of operating under “dummy officers.”
That was the word yesterday that came out of the offices of the Industrial Alcohol Bureau, in Philadelphia, as the government went ahead with the preparation of its case against the local concern.
The local brewery was among five in New Jersey cited by the government as being owned and operated by racketeers, who hid beneath the names of dummy officers.
The announcement of the proposed sale came after Edward C. Dougherty, U. S, attorney preparing the license revocation case, had named seven persons, who, among others, are the alleged true owners of the brewery,
Mickey's Brother Named
In the list were Charles A. Bodine, of Haddonfield, long associated in name with matters concerning beer; Max Hassel, slain gang lord and reputed owner of a string of breweries; Edgar “Blondy” Wallace, reputed ex-beer lord now serving a year in a federal penitentiary for non-payment of income taxes, and John Cusick, also known as John Duffy, brother of the murdered Mickey Duffy. John is alleged by the government to have taken over brother “Mike's bit,” following his slaying in an Atlantic City hotel.
Also named were Henry “Hank” Collins, close associate of Duffy in the old days; William Neely, an ex-Duffy satellite, and Lou [text illegible], associate of Hassel.
The proposed sale was made known to the government by Walter S. Keown attorney for the brewery, it yesterday. According to the Philadelphia office, Keown successfully had postponed the hearing to allow the owners time to complete negotiations.
The concern attempting to purchase the brewery is a North Jersey cereal manufacturing company,“ according to the report.
Keown and Norman J. Morrison, U. S. Attorney General, met in Philadelphia concerning the beer operation hearing. Keown is said to have sought Morrison's advice as to what action the brewery could take to satisfy the government
Hearing Aug. 21
The hearing will be held begin Aug. 21 in the Camden post office building. While no “hearer” has been chosen yet, Norman J. Morrison, special assistant U. S. attorney general, will act as government prosecutor.
The citation charges that the brewery concealed its true ownership behind “dummy officers.” These men, who applied for the license, were Frank R. Allison, of Oaklyn, as president, and Frank C. [text illegible] who gave an address at North Broad street, Philadelphia, secretary-treasurer.
Long reported to have been associated with the Camden brewery before the advent of 3.2 percent beer were the incorporators of the [text illegible] Realty Company, which owns property in which the brewery stands.
Police and federal agents frequently have contended that both Collins and Neely were associated with Bodine and Duffy in the beer business
A number of beer trucks seized by federal agents were Neely's. Dougherty is head attorney in the Philadelphia. Office of the Industrial Alcohol Bureau and also prepared the citation on which the Harrison brewery permit was ordered revoked.
Morrison is the attorney who acted as prosecutor against the Harrison brewery.
Prohibition Note
When Prohibition was repealed, the brewery went back into the production of legal beer. The new ownership still traded as the Camden County Beverage Company, however. Fred A. Martin was the Company's President for many years after the 1933 change in ownership.
Blondy Wallace Loses Brewery Claim Suit
Camden Courier-Post -
Action against four corporate defendants in the suit by Edgar “Blondy” Wallace to recover a 20 percent shareholder's interest in the Camden County Beverage Company from Charles A. Bodine, secretary treasurer of the concern, were dismissed yesterday by Vice-Chancellor Francis B. Davis in chancery court.
In his suit, Wallace, who was represented by William Harris, asked for the appointment of a receiver and named as defendants the holding and operating companies of the Brewery, the Babocor Realty Co., and No. 12 Hudson Street.
Application for dismissal was made by Walter S. Keown and George D. Rothermel, representing the holding and operating companies, on grounds the bill made no complaint against the corporate defendants and that the dispute involved only Wallace and Bodine. The suit will be argued between the two on final hearing, for which no date was set.
Two Hurt as Truck Upsets Auto in South Camden
Camden Courier-Post -
William Boyle, 19, of Ashland, and his grandmother, Mrs. Margaret Aubacher, 63, of Osage, were pulled through the door of their car, shown above, yesterday after a crash at Eighth street and Central avenue. They were treated at West Jersey Hospital for cuts and shock. Driver of the truck, owned by the Camden County Beverage Company, was John Stafford, 42, of Hartley avenue, Somerdale. He escaped injury.
Beverage Firm Worker Fatally Stricken
Camden Courier-Post -
John A. Herrmann, 52, Bell avenue, Barrington, and employe [sic] of the Camden County Beverage Co., Fillmore and Bulson streets, collapsed and died yesterday while cleaning a vat.
Dr. Vincent T. McDermott, medical examiner for the company, pronounced the man dead after Rescue Squad 3, under Acting Battalion Chief Winfield Leviseur, worked for an hour in an effort to revive the man. Coroner Inglesby announced he would hold an autopsy today.
Frederick Martin, president of the company, said Herrmann was an employe for seven years. He said the discovery was made when a fellow worker entered the vat to speak with Herrmann and found him unconscious.
From those days through the 1960, the Camden County Beverage Company brewed and bottled Camden Lager Beer, Lord Camden Ale, Camden Bock Beer, and Cerveza Bohio in Camden. The water used to make these brews came from Camden's own artesian wells. This water was considered to be “among the best in the United States, and certainly in this part of the East,” so stated an investigator of the U.S. Geological Survey in 1927.
Brewery Head Explains Bock Beer Tradition
Camden Courier-Post -
Bock as a March beer is largely an American tradition, it was pointed out by Fred A. Martin Sr., president of Camden brewery.
Martin, speaking on the early appearance of bock beer in this area, said it generally makes its appearance in Europe before Christmas and is featured until the supply runs out. It is known as a spring beer only in the United States, Denmark and Belgium, he declared.
“In Norway and Sweden it is brewed the year around and constitutes 25 percent of the beer production of Scandinavia,” Martin said. “In Germany, its traditional birthplace, it is brought to the consumer in December, and large quantities of bock beer are consumed in Germany from early December to April.”
Camden Brewery Pays Annual Tax of $1,100,000
Camden Courier-Post -
Poth Beer Advertisement on American Legion Post 274
The brewery stood on Fillmore Street between Chelton Avenue and Bulson Street along the railroad tracks, and backed onto 6th Street. It no longer stands. In its place is an industrial site. The only apparent vestige of the once great brewery in Camden is this advertisement on the North wall of American Legion Post 274, Broadway & Jefferson Street in Camden, just a block northwest of where the brewery operated.