Introduction
Gustav Schwoeri Sr. first appears in the directories for Camden NJ in 1890–1891. He appears to have moved to Camden from Philadelphia in 1889. The directory states that he was living at and operating a saloon and brewery at 705 Chestnut Street, where Charles Steger had operated a saloon in 1888. The 1906 Sanborn Maps indicate that the brewery was then operated out of 707 Chestnut.
It appears that Gustav Schwoeri rebuilt 703–705 Chestnut Street in 1898. He also was involved in the first brewery to operate in Camden. When Prohibition went into effect, the business went to bottling soft drinks. Gustave Schwoeri passed away in 1929, survived by his son Gustav Jr. and wife Mary. He was buried at Harleigh Cemetery in Camden NJ
The Schwoeri family remained in business, and after Prohibition was repealed, the family opened a liquor store at 700 Chestnut Street, while operating the saloon at 705 Chestnut Street, which was known as The Original Schwoeri’s. Mary Schwoeri lived above the saloon for the remainder of her life, passing on January 16, 1943 at the age of 90. Gustav Jr. managed the family’s bottling business. He and his wife, the former Frances Young, lived at 412 Carteret Street from the 1920s until 1946, when they moved to Pennsauken.
The Schwoeri family was still in business at 705 Chestnut Street as late as 1947 and at 700 Chestnut Street as late as 1977, and the business is still open, under different ownership, in 2006.
703–705 Chestnut Street was sold to Richard D. Grayson, who operated under the name of the 705 Bar as late as 1966. The business was renamed the Chestnut Bar in late 1966 or early 1967, and was open under that name through at least 1977. After the Chestnut Bar closed, the license was apparently transferred next door to 707 Chestnut where “Deggy” Grayson was in business until the early 1990s. This bar was known alternately as “Deggy’s” and as “The Hole in the Wall.” In the early 1990s the Grayson family leased the bar out to different managers. By 1994 the bar had closed its doors once and for all.
The Schwoeri Businesses at 7th & Chestnut Street
Photographs taken
703–705 Chestnut Street was built in 1898. After the liquor store opened across the street at 700 Chestnut, the bar remained open, and was called The Original Schwoeri’s. It was later known as The Chestnut Bar. A bar later opened at 707 Chestnut Street. Known as Deggy’s and The Hole In The Wall, it remained open into the mid-1990s.
703–705, & 707 Chestnut Street
700 Chestnut Street, now known as Eddie’s Liquors
MERRY DANCERS IN GAY COSTUMES
Camden Post-Telegram —
Twelfth Annual Masquerade Ball of the Camden Turn Verein.
The Camden Turn Verein held its twelfth annual masquerade ball last evening and Turner Hall was filled with a merry crowd of dancers in fancy costumes.
Martin Hartmann, master of ceremonies, and Mrs. Frederick Banzhof led the grand march. John Maier, August Hiller, Louis Hartmann, Ferdinand Zuber, Claus Ecks and William Uber were the floor managers, while the committee of arrangements consisted of Anthony J. Oberst, chairman; Francis T. Steinebach, secretary; John F. Rieger, treasurer; John Schmidt, William Bartlet. John Maier and Martin Hartmann.
The Turn Verein officers are: President, William Bartlet; vice president, Francis T. Stinebach; secretary, Anthony J. Oberst; treasurer, Bernhard F. Schroeder.
Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. William Bartelt, Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Schroeder, Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Korfhage, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Schradin, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Holler, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Kobus, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Foulon, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Adam Schlorer, Mr. and Mrs. George Kadisch, Mr and Mrs. George Brehm, Herman Fuchs, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore G. Maier, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lutz, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Schlorer, Mr. and Mrs. Frank X. Braun, Mr. and Mrs. George Kruck, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Walz, Mr. and Mrs. John G. Colsey, Mr. and Mrs. John Graef, Mr. and Mrs. August Freitag, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Ladewig, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Fred Banzhof, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Baier, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schneider, Mr. and Mrs. Maynard Dalbey, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Maehler, August Weber, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Kohlenberg, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Haehner, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Ahrens, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Ruff, Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Halbert, Mr. and Mrs. George K. Knauf, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Guenther, Mr. and Mrs. George Kroecker, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Leapold, Mr. and Mrs. Edward McCabe, Mr. and Mrs. Adam T. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Gustav Schwoeri and Mr. and Mrs. George Lotz.
DONATIONS MOUNT IN U.S.O. CAMPAIGN
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Drive Brings $14,575 to Recreation Fund For Service Men
Contributions to the United Service Organizations continued to flow in yesterday.
The money will be used for recreational programs for men in the armed forces of the nation through clubs, which are being established adjacent to army and navy cantonments.
Total receipts as announced by Ralph Vasso, chairman of the volunteer gift committee, were $14,575.58. The goal set up for Camden in the nationwide appeal for contributions is $21,000.
Funds are being sent by mail, and delivered in person to headquarters of the U.S.O. in the Camden County Chamber of Commerce offices, Sixth and Penn streets, Sidney P. McCord, city comptroller, is treasurer of the committee.
Yesterday’s contributors are: Louis Seitchik, $50; employees of Louis Seitchik, $125; Camden County Girl Scouts, $5; Alice B. Eaton, $3; Mrs. T. T. Eaton, $2; Dealers Liquor Company, additional $5; Minters Distributors, $10; John W. Whitecar, $10; Loyal Order of Moose, $10; General Chemical Company, $25; house-to-house collection, Parkside section, $7.35; collections by cans in motion picture theatres, $21.65; Sam Slutsky. $5.
Bishop Bartholomew J. Eustace, $50; Father J. P. Fallon, $5; Camden Section National Council of Jewish Women, $10; Camden Realtors, $51; James Scarduzio, $1; John A. Neff, $5; additional from employees of MacAndrews and Forbes, $43.40; office employees of Warren Webster and Company, $24.54; factory employees of Warren Webster and Company, $55.06; Gustav Schwoeri, Jr., 52; Monsanto Chemical Company employees, $51.25; Budget Plan Corporation, $10.