Introduction
By Phil Cohen
Columbia Avenue was a short street that ran east from North 5th Street between Arch and Market Streets, terminating at the George Genge School. This school was torn down in the late 1920s to make room for the present City Hall, and what was left of Columbia Avenue, along with all other property between Arch and Market Streets east of North 5th Street was razed in the 1930s to make space for Roosevelt Plaza park. Columbia Avenue appears in the 1867 Camden City Directory, and probably was in existence before the Civil War.
Columbia Avenue — 1885
Columbia Avenue, 1885.
Columbia Avenue — 1906
Columbia Avenue, 1906.
500 Block of Columbia Avenue — Occupants
City directory records, 1869–1928.
511–513–515 Columbia Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1888–1892 | William K. Heston (livery) |
| 1893 | Perry J. Tiffany (livery) |
| 1896–1899 | William H. Clements (livery) |
| 1899 | Curliss & Munter (horses); John I. Munter; William A. Curliss |
| 1905–1920 | William H. Clements (livery) |
| 1921 | Richard S. Connor (garage) |
| 1922–1928 | Columbia Garage; Frederick Plegman |
| 1929 | GONE |
518 Columbia Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1873 | John Bodell & Family (teamster, Camden Fire Department; John & Mary Jane Bodell) |
| 1873 | John & Mary Jane Bodell |
522 Columbia Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1874 | John Bodell & Family (teamster; John & Mary Jane Bodell) |
| 1874 | John & Mary Jane Bodell |
524 Columbia Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1906 | Mrs. Hattie Wells (Philadelphia) |
532 Columbia Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1878 | George Gall & Family (laborer; George Gall Jr., laborer) |
| 1880 | Jacob Mapes & Family (brakeman; Charles Mapes, coachman; Rebecca Mapes, nurse) |
| 1880 | Leander Hyatt & Family (shoe cutter; Leander & Catherine Hyatt; William Hyatt; Lizzie Hyatt) |
| 1881–1882 | Howard H. Currie & Family |
| 1881–1882 | Howard H. & Rosanna Currie |
| 1881–1882 | Howard Lewis Currie |
533 Columbia Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1880 | William Cooper & Family (cake baker; William & Lydia Cooper; Howard Cooper; Lillie Cooper) |
| 1880 | William & Lydia Cooper |
| 1880 | Howard Cooper |
| 1880 | Lillie Cooper |
| 1894 | Bertha Johnson |
535 Columbia Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1880 | George H. Armstrong & Family (machinist; George & Anna Armstrong; Mary Armstrong; Anna Armstrong; Martha Armstrong; Harry C. Armstrong; Frank Armstrong) |
| 1880 | George & Anna Armstrong |
| 1880 | Mary Armstrong |
| 1880 | Anna Armstrong |
| 1880 | Martha Armstrong |
| 1880 | Harry C. Armstrong |
| 1880 | Frank Armstrong |
Woman Injured at 524 Columbia Avenue
Philadelphia Inquirer —
While visiting a friend at 524 Columbia avenue yesterday Mrs. Hattie Wells, aged 42 years, of 2030 Alter street, Philadelphia fell down stairs, dislocating her shoulder and receiving other injuries of a serious character. She was taken to the Cooper Hospital.
The Mother Opposes Marriage
Camden Daily Telegram —
Charles and Bertha Want to Wed, But Can't Just Yet.
There is a warrant in existence for the arrest of Charles Mosely, 19 years old sworn out by Bertha Johnson, 17 years old, of 533 Columbia avenue. She alleges that the young man is responsible for her delicate condition.
Both Charles and Bertha are willing to marry and thus legitimize the child. Bertha's parents are also willing, but the mother of Charles objects. As it requires the consent of the parents for minors to marry, and as both the parties are under age, the prospects are that unless Charles' mother changes her mind, or goes on his bond, which she has not yet said she will do, Charles will go to jail. Justice Reed's recent opinion has an important bearing on this point.