Turner's Oyster House
Frederick Turner founded his restaurant in 1887 at 234 Federal Street, where he lived. He moved the operation to 210 Federal Street in 1890. Oysters were quite plentiful in Delaware Bay up until 1976 when a sea-borne disease ravaged the species. The oyster industry in that part of South Jersey has never recovered.
When the 1930 Census was taken, Robert Turner was running the restaurant, which now was at 212–214 Federal Street. Robert Turner was then 56 years old. Born in England, he married his wife Mary at the age of 20. Mr. and Mrs. Turner lived on premises with their widowed daughter Helen, then 36, and a grandson, Robert, 17 years of age. Robert Turner passed away in June of 1932.
The 1947 Camden City Directory shows a Helen Becker operating a seafood restaurant at the address.
Historical and Industrial Review of Camden, N.J.
1890
TURNER’S RESTAURANT, 210 FEDERAL STREET
AMONG all the refreshment houses in Camden none is probably more favorably known than Fred Turner’s Oyster and Chop House, established by him four years ago at 210 Federal street. It comprises a reception and reading room in front of 16x32 feet, and a dining room in the rear of 16x12 feet. Oysters are served in every style, and the bill of fare includes Chops, Steaks, Cutlets, Tea, Coffee, etc., prepared from the best in the markets, by competent and careful cooks. A specialty is made of Fried Oysters.
The trade is very select, and employs, in addition to the personal services of the proprietor, those of several assistants. The dining-room will comfortably seat forty persons at one time, and the business hours are from 8 A. M. to 1 A. M.
Mr. Turner is a native of England, and by trade a ship carpenter. He has been thirty years in America.
‘Celebrators’ Freed
Camden Courier-Post —
Youths Released When Restaurateur Declines to Press Charges
Because Robert Turner, Federal street restaurant proprietor, declined to prosecute, two young Philadelphians went home yesterday instead of to jail. They are Charles Dolan, 24, of 5504 Thompson street, and William Delaney, 24, of 34 South Melville street.
Both were arraigned in Police Court on charges of being drunk and disorderly Saturday night.
Delaney, it was testified, tried to open Turner’s door at 212 Federal street with his elbow. He opened a pane of glass. Patrolman William Schultz testified.
“We were full of spaghetti and beer, judge,” said Dolan and Delaney. “We’re really good guys at heart.”
“Yes? Well, celebrate in Philadelphia in the future,” said Judge Pancoast, dismissing them.
‘Bob’ Turner Dies; Camden Old Timer
Camden Courier-Post —
Picturesque Restaurant Proprietor a Figure in City’s History
By Ben Courter
“Bob” Turner is dead!
A lingering illness last night claimed Camden’s most popular restaurateur, at his home, 210–212 Federal street. He was 58 and had been ill since March 1.
He died in sleep, having been in a coma for one week. At his bedside, were his widow, Mrs. Mary Turner, his daughter, Mrs. Helen Becker; his son-in-law, Patrolman Herman Becker, and a brother, Frank. Two sisters and a grandson, Robert Dean also survive.
Funeral services will be at 11 a. m. Monday at the Joseph H. Murray & Sons home, 408 Cooper street. Burial will be private. Friends will be received there Sunday night.
Robert Turner was just plain “Bob” to a great host of friends and acquaintances who had known him through the years. First his father and then he had operated the oyster “saloon” and restaurant on Federal street. It was “Bob” to many of these friends who had risen to exalted positions in life as it was to those of more humbler station who kept up their patronage with him through the more than half century the restaurant has been something of a landmark where, prior to the advent of Camden bridge, thousands passed daily to and from the ferry.
Bob’s father, Fred Turner, born in England, came to America in 1860. It was in 1886 the father started the small restaurant on Federal street just above Second. At first it was just a small front room of a very little store. Later there was a reception room and place for eating meals. With the Pennsylvania Railroad terminal, roundhouse and other departments of the West Jersey nearby it was natural the railroad men with a liking for good home cooking and especially oysters, should patronize the Turner place. In the early nineties, too, there were the young students of the new high school in the old Post-Telegram building who likewise flocked to the Turner place. Thus it became the most popular restaurant of its kind in North Camden with business constantly growing.
Took Job As Cabby
When “Bob” was a youth he obtained a temporary job as a cabby, driving a horse from the Federal street ferry to wherever the fare might happen to want to go, and sometimes it was a long trip out “in the country,” down Broadway, then Camden’s “Main street” or perhaps to Stockton Park, or even Gloucester where the ponies were then running. But the elder Turner, having close acquaintanceship with the railroaders, obtained for “Bob” a job in the freight office which he held until he concluded he had learned enough to start a career as a commission man. “Bob,” associated with his father, had learned much about oysters and shipments along with other data essential in making the venture into the commission business more or less a success.
Before the Spanish War came in 1898 the elder Turner died and “Bob” concluded to continue the business. It was still a very small venture and remained so until about twenty years ago when the patronage had grown to such an extent the little place on Federal street was entirely too small, especially at mid-day when workers went to lunch and at night after folks had left the theatre and concluded they wanted a snack before going to bed. That little restaurant is well remembered by the Camdenites of a score of years ago. Even then it was noted as a place where many of the town’s active spirits frequently met to discuss all sorts of things over a stew, a fry or whatnot.
In 1913 two of the old dwellings on Federal street were renovated and turned into the “oyster parlor” which has become known to persons throughout South Jersey. “Bob” was fortunate in having as his wife a women who realized the possibilities of the business, for after all it was Mrs. Turner who, in the early days, personally supervised all the preparations and the turning out of the finished product that brought patronage and success as a business enterprise.
‘Bob’ Widely Known
Aside from his oyster business, “Bob” Turner was one of the best known men about town and had been for a generation at least. He was actively interested in baseball and particularly in the teams which sought to stir sufficient pride hereabouts to support some sort of a league club. He also was one of the backers and supporters of basketball and later was a sponsor for the wrestling matches when few would bother about that line of sport.
When James J. Davis, now U. S. senator from Pennsylvania, came here 20 years or more ago to found Camden Lodge of Moose, “Bob” was associated with Ralph W. E. Donges, now Supreme Court Justice; William H. Ketler, city librarian; William Callingham and other leading lights of the community in getting the organization under way. It was a great night for “Bob” when Camden Lodge was started in the building at Third and Market streets. He had in later years been associated with Justice Donges as a member of the board of directors of Camden Lodge Building & Loan Association. In addition to the Moose, “Bob” also was a charter member of Camden Lodge of Elks, where he was active years ago. He likewise took a deep interest in the Eagles and was identified with other organizations.
When fortune had begun to smile “Bob” and Mrs. Turner took occasional long trips to rest up, once abroad and several times to Florida or California. Usually they spent the closed oyster season at Atlantic City.
Both Bob and his place have been unquestioned institutions about Federal street for many years and certainly without “Bob” walking along with “Hazard,” his English bull dog, and greeting acquaintances with a hearty, “Hello, Frank,” or whoever it might be — well, it will not be just like Federal street at all. Bob with his breezy, cheery, hail-fellow-well-met spirit, sure will be missed by the old-timers at least.
Turner’s Advertisement
Camden Courier-Post —
TURNER’S — 212–214 Federal St.
Since 1887–1936
OYSTERS — CLAMS
SEA FOOD PLATTERS
OPEN SUNDAYS 4 P. M.