Introduction
Cox Street ran west from 1119 South 2nd Street for about half a block until it came to a dead end, roughly opposite Sycamore Street. The street was not in existence when the 1885 Sanborn Map was compiled. In July of 1888 the Philadelphia Inquirer ran a story about developer James Cox building houses on Cox Street. Cox Street first appears in City Directories in 1890, and by 1891 14 homes had been built, seven on each side of the street. Cox Street was renamed Sycamore Street shortly before the 1923 City Directory was compiled.
The land bounded by Kaighn Avenue, Chestnut, South 2nd, and Front Streets was consolidated after World War II for industrial development. By 1963 only four homes were left on what had been Cox Street. Shortly afterwards, Cox Street, Stanley Street, Boyer Street, and Nelson Street were erased.
Cox Street, 1885 Sanborn Map
Cox Street area — 1885 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map.
Building Boom in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The building boom has extended to Camden. A large number of houses are being removed in the neighborhood of the site for the new Kaighn’s avenue depot. Roberts & Kuhn, contractors, are tearing down twelve brick buildings at Locust and Mechanic streets, and two frame houses on Knight street, north of Kaighn’s avenue. At the northeast corner of Front and Chestnut streets they are building ten two-story brick dwellings and nine three-story on Stevens street, above Broadway. The German Catholic Church at St. John and Spruce streets is under contract. P. McDonald has the contract for the stone work. The Keystone Chemical Company are making four additions to their works on Viola street. George Holl is building two three-story houses at Nos. 561 and 563 Benson street.
James Cox has just begun six two-story brick houses on Cox street, below Second.
William Key, of Philadelphia, has commenced a brick stable two-stories in height, 18x40 feet at 509 Berkley street.
Charles Camduff will build on the Peacock estate at Berlin.
Frank Shaw will erect a hotel at Cramer’s Hill. The building will be located at the corner of Mt. Pleasant street and Cooper street.
Cox Street, 1891 Sanborn Map
Cox Street area — 1891 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map.
Cox Street, 1906 Sanborn Map
Cox Street area — 1906 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map.
Cox Street (Sycamore Street), 1946 Map
Cox Street (later Sycamore Street) area — 1946 Map of Camden.
Sanborn Map, North Side of Kaighn Avenue at South 2nd Street
Sanborn Map — North Side of Kaighn Avenue at South 2nd Street. Last edited 1963.
100 Block of Cox Street — Occupants
City directory records, 1890–1922. Cox Street was renamed Sycamore Street around 1922.
140 Cox Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890 | Harry Shemeley |
141 Cox Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890 | John Grant |
142 Cox Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890 | William T. Clements |
143 Cox Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890 | No listing |
144 Cox Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890 | George R. Hamilton |
145 Cox Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890 | No listing |
| 1893 | Robert Milne |
| 1910 | Rocco Zizak & Family (Rocco & Pearl Zizak; Vince, Peter, Anthony, Mary, John, Michael Zizak) |
146 Cox Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890 | Charles Whitzell |
147 Cox Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890 | Charles Sapp; Elwood Sapp |
148 Cox Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890 | Richard Ward; William Ward |
149 Cox Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890 | William J. Hanna |
150 Cox Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890 | James Sample; Francis Sample |
151 Cox Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890 | Albert W. Crouch |
152 Cox Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890 | No listing |
153 Cox Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1922 | Thomas Talley |
Related: Robert Milne — 145 Cox Street, 1893.
Robert Milne
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Assaulted a Woman.
Robert Milne, a Democratic nominee for Constable of the Fifth Ward, was charged in Police Court this morning with assault and battery on Mrs. Ella Harper, and held in $500 bail for court.