James M. Cassady School
Aerial photos taken about 1925, prior to the opening of the Delaware River (Ben Franklin) Bridge.
In the upper photo, the James M. Cassady School on State Street is seen from the south-west, with the Reeve Mansion, which had been the home of industrialist Augustus Reeve, visible across North 3rd Street.
In the lower photo, the view is from the south-east. The Cassady School is for the most part obscured by its label. The Reeve Mansion is clearly visible, a large 3-story house, painted in a light color, with four windows on the third floor facing State Street.
The James M. Cassady School was located on the northwest corner of North 3rd Street and State Street, facing south on State Street between North 2nd and North 3rd Street. The school was named after James M. Cassady, a prominent citizen in Camden until his passing in 1897 at the age of 76. He served for twenty years on the Board of Education. Mr. Cassady also served the public in many other capacities, and was best known as a justice of the peace. He was in business for many years in real estate and insurance.
The Cassady School opened in November of 1907 and served the children of Camden until 1966. One of the early principals at Cassady was veteran Camden educator Loretta F. Ireland. The school was torn down and replaced by the Cooper Point Elementary School, which was built on the same site. In the 2000s this school was renamed the Cooper's Poynt Professional Development Family School of Excellence.
One of the New Schools Opened
Camden Daily Courier —
The James M. Cassady Threw Open Its Doors Yesterday
THREE OTHERS SOON FINISHED
One of the new schools, the one at Third and State streets, named after ’Squire James M. Cassady, was thrown open to the public yesterday, Supervisor James E. Bryan reporting to the Board of Education last night that 120 pupils had been transferred there from the Read School. From time to time other pupils will be sent to that school until its twelve rooms are in use. It is anticipated, however, that notwithstanding the rapid growth of the population in that section of Camden the school will be sufficient for the needs of the pupils for several years to come.
Within a comparatively short time the three other schools now under course of construction will be in readiness for pupils. These include the Parkside School at Princess and Kaighn avenues; Henry B. Wilson School, Ninth and Florence streets, and the George Washington School, at 27th and Cambridge streets. In all these four schools will accommodate about 2,000 children and the Board of Education is of the opinion that they will meet the demands for several years.
Supervisor Bryan also reported that the Jamestown Exposition had awarded three silver medals to as many exhibits from the local schools. One was for the model of a locomotive constructed by the Manual Training students, another for the exhibit of music, and the third for the general work of the pupils of the Mt. Vernon (colored) School.
In his report concerning the closing of the Dudley School, Health Physician Davis stated that the prevalence of diphtheria in that section of the city, and which necessitated the temporary discontinuance of the school sessions, is due to bad drainage and the failure of the majority of the families to give the proper attention to the sanitary necessities. The total number of contagious diseases for the month were 135, the principal ailments being affections of the throat.
On recommendation of the Teachers’ Committee it was decided to close the schools for the holidays on Monday, December 23, and reopen them Thursday, January 2.
Mathias Jackson was appoitned janitor of the new Parkside School, at a salary of $850 a year, the appointment to take effect from November 1.
Custodian Frey’s report showed a balance on hand of $55,290.07.
Cassaday School Pupils Hail Merry Outing at Knight Park
Camden Courier-Post —
Courier-Post Photos
If you don’t think the pupils of the Cassaday Public School, Third and State streets, enjoyed their annual outing at Knight Park, Collingswood, yesterday, check up on the grins and hilarity in this crowd of youngsters. From “hail, hail, the gang’s all here,” to a ride on the lake was a short step, and below shows one voyage of the good ship, “Good Time,” with passengers Charles Weber, Mrs. William Hale and James and Thomas Hale, Frances Gorman and Alma Arrington. The picnic is sponsored each year by the Cassaday School Fathers’ Association.
Cassady Block Party to Continue Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
A block party being held at Third and State streets by the Cassaday Fathers’ Association will be continued tonight and tomorrow nights.
Funds raised from the event are used during the year for welfare work among pupils at Cassaday School, Third and State streets. Charles Glover is chairman of the carnival committee and W. P. Johnson heads the welfare committee. Elwood Eskridge is president of the association.
Looking East from 2nd Street on Grant Street — June 23, 1939
Looking East from 2nd Street on Grant Street — Gene Edwards (at left) & Jim Bessing Sr., June 23, 1939
“…I read about Cassady School block party and decided to send this picture of me and my little cousin. The block party stands can be seen just over my left shoulder. The look on my face was caused by my mother forbidding me to go to it. The year, 1939. I’m 10 yrs. old.”
— Jim Bessing, March 2004
Pupils Use ‘Elbow Grease’ on Cassady School
Camden Courier-Post —
Boys and girls of the Cassady Elementary School, wielding brooms, mops and scrub brushes, cleaned up the area around their school at 3rd and State rds. yesterday afternoon.
Juan Llanos, 7, dressed in a play jacket, blue jeans and red and white sneakers, was a typical worker as he used a broom far taller than himself and became enveloped by dust clouds. Juan is a kindergarten student.
“Some of the children aren’t even aware of what is dirt and what isn’t,” said the principal, Ernest Montefusco, as he toured the area in his car. He stopped frequently to picture the children down on their knees, scrubbing sidewalks with buckets of soapy water at their sides.
He took one “shot” of a boy hosing down an alleyway. And another of a group dipping sponges into a bucket of water.
All the activity was a part of Clean Up Week in Camden.
Montefusco drove to the curb at 925 N. 2nd st. where Urbano Clinton, 11, a 4th grader of that address, was watering down the pavement, a new experience for him. The principal snapped his picture.
“There are no awards for best or second best in the clean up project,” he said. “The only reward comes from doing a good clean up job.”
Montefusco said he was gratified by the turnout of students and the presence of so many hoses, brooms, buckets of soapy water and scrubbing brushes.
Mothers watched from doorways and smiled as their children took over the outdoor housework.
Eddie Lee of 933 N. 2nd st., a third grader, shouted “Get off my clean steps.” Two playmates jumped and Eddie promptly dipped his broom into a bucket of water and washed away their sneaker tracks.
The kids laughed as they worked.
Montefusco said later the project was part of a continuing program of cleanliness and he hopes it will make the children realize that “a clean neighborhood is a more pleasant place in which to live.”
From the expression on the children’s faces they seemed to be getting his point and liking it.