Introduction
Phil Cohen
DECATUR STREET is named for American Naval hero Commodore Stephen Decatur, who played a decisive role in the War of 1812 and in America’s war with Muslim pirates operating out of Tripoli and other ports in North Africa. Decatur is also known for his quote “…our country right or wrong.”
Decatur Street runs from Mount Ephraim Avenue on a straight line roughly north-east towards Haddon Avenue, stopping before the railroad tracks that run parallel to Haddon Avenue at that point. Development began around the turn of the century, and the street was for the most part completely built up by 1950. Many of the early residents of Decatur Street were of Polish descent, and were members of St. Joseph’s Church at 10th and Mechanic Streets. Like virtually all other streets in Camden, Decatur Street was always ethnically, if not racially, mixed.
Decatur Street is for the most part residential. The South Camden Bakery was located in the 1200 block at one time, and at the intersection of Norris and Decatur at one time held a grocery, a bar, and a social club. The Victory Cafe stood at 1301 Decatur Street, the 13th Ward Democrat Club was across the street at 1302, and a grocery was located at 1299 Decatur Street. Bar owner Edward Zajac, who boxed professionally out of Camden as Eddie Chaney, lived at 1287 Decatur Street. The most notable building on Decatur Street was St. Joseph’s High School.
Shortly after World War II, St. Joseph’s High School was erected at the corner of Mount Ephraim and Decatur Street. The school was abandoned by the Diocese of Camden around 1979, and stood vacant and open to the elements, drug dealers, squatters, and other undesirables for many years before it was acquired and converted into the Dayton Manor nursing home. The presence of the empty building, combined with the flood of drugs into Camden in the mid-1980s, and other social factors combined to the overall decline of Decatur Street and the surrounding neighborhood.
1200 Block of Decatur Street
1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
City directory records, 1891–2015.
1207 & 1209 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1911–1924 | August Scholl |
1215 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1936 | Mrs. Mary Lisowski |
| 1936 | Stanley Wojciechowski |
1216 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1917 | Peter Kovalenter |
| 1943 | Antonio Maressa & Family |
| 1943 | Frank Maressa |
| 1950 | P.J. Andrella |
| 1969 | St. Joseph's Catholic Church |
| 2012 | Gone |
1218 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1940 | Antonio Maressa & Family |
| 1940 | Frank Maressa |
| 1973–1977 | Gary Thompson |
1220 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1933 | Robert Knighton |
| 1942–1956 | Vincent Pavlak & Family |
| 1942–1956 | Annie Pavlak |
| 1947–1956 | Catherine Pavlak |
| 1947–1956 | Nicholas Pavlak |
1225 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1927 | Lottie Medel |
1226 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1939–1952 | Leon F. Puszczykowski & Family |
| 1939–1952 | Minnie Puszczykowski |
| 1939–1952 | Leon C. Puszczykowski |
| 1939–1952 | Elaine Puszczykowski |
1255 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1929–1933 | Fred Klosterman |
1259 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1950s | Frank & Angelina DeNinno |
1261 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1952 | Vincent Lamonte |
1264 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1932 | Thomas Hines |
1272 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1928 | Paul Starzynski |
1276 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Tower of Prayer and Deliverance, Inc. |
1281 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Destroyed by Arson Fire, March 2, 2012 |
1287 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1930s | Eddie Chaney |
| 1933 | James Hayes |
1291 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1933 | John Capello |
1293 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1933 | Jennie Barriger |
1296 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1957 | Vincenzo Gallo & Family |
| 1957 | Nicoletta Gallo |
| 1957 | Dominick F. Gallo |
1297 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1930s–1940 | Herman J. Baker & Family |
| 1930s–1940 | Emma Baker |
1299 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Santo Ardire |
| 1947 | Grocery |
| 2012 | Scheduled for Demolition |
Related: 1200 Decatur — Photos, 2005 · 1207 & 1209 Decatur — August Scholl · 1216 Decatur — Peter Kovalenter, 1917 · 1216 Decatur — Frank Maressa, 1943 · 1217–1221 Decatur — circa 1928 · 1220 Decatur — Knighton, 1933 · 1225 Decatur — Lottie Medel, 1927 · 1226 Decatur — Leon Puszczykowski, 1951 · 1255 Decatur — Fred Klosterman · 1261 Decatur — Vincent Lamonte, 1952 · 1264 Decatur — Thomas Hines, 1932 · 1271–1283 Decatur — Photos, 2012 · 1272 Decatur — Paul Starzynski, 1928 · 1276 Decatur — Tower of Prayer, 2012 · 1281 Decatur — Arson Fire, 2012 · 1287 Decatur — Stores Looted, 1933 · 1290 & 1299 Decatur — Photos, 2012 · 1296 Decatur — Dominick Gallo, 1957 · 1297 Decatur — Herman Baker
1200 Decatur Street
1200 Decatur Street — May 15, 2005
1207 & 1209 Decatur Street
1207 & 1209 Decatur Street — December 28, 2011. August Scholl lived at 1207–1209 from 1911 to 1924.
1216 Decatur Street — Houses For Sale
Camden Post-Telegram —
HOUSES FOR SALE
Builder Wants to Leave City. One good dwelling with electricity and gas, parquet floor, brick, garage in yard, iron fence, modern. Cost $3,500, will sell for $3,200 to quick buyer. 1218–1226 Decatur st., 7 r’ms, porch, $2,000. 1347–1249 Chase st., 7 r’ms, porch, $1,850. 1230–1232 Chase st., 7 r’ms, porch, $2,300.
See owner at 1216 Decatur St., Peter Kovalenter, Camden, N. J.
1216 Decatur Street — Frank Maressa at Naval Training School
Camden Courier-Post —
Frank Maressa, 21, of 1216 Decatur street, son of Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Maressa, is at the Naval training school at Newport, R. I. A graduate of Camden High School, he formerly was employed at the New York Shipyard. A brother, Joseph, is in the Naval Reserve and is attending Temple University.
1217–1221 Decatur Street — circa 1928
1217, 1219, and 1221 Decatur Street — circa 1928
1220 Decatur Street — Truckman Faces Quiz After Boy Is Struck
Camden Courier-Post —
TRUCKMAN FACES QUIZ AFTER BOY IS STRUCK
A South Camden truck owner has been ordered to appear at police headquarters to explain why a boy allegedly struck by his machine was not taken to a hospital.
The boy, Robert Knighton, 10, of 1220 Decatur street, told police he was struck by the truck near Decatur and Cope streets. He said the driver offered to take him to a hospital, but put him off the truck after he rode half a square.
John Rose, of 1312 Rose street, then picked up the boy and took him to West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital, where it was said he had apparently not been injured.
Police said the youth gave them a license number which they traced to Anthony Kinzler, of 1285 Van Hook street. Kinzler, who owns a truck, will be questioned by police today.
1225 Decatur Street — Mother of Four Fined for Disorderly House
Camden Courier-Post —
MOTHER OF FOUR FINED FOR DISORDERLY HOUSE
Mrs. Lottie Medel, 35 years old, 1225 Decatur street, mother of four children, was fined $100 in police court this morning when she was arraigned on a charge of maintaining a disorderly house after two 15-year-old girls had told of attending a party in her home. One of the girls was committed to the juvenile detention home for the grand jury, the other was released in her own recognizance and a young man was held in $500 bail.
The girl who was committed to the detention home is Anna Rodansky, 1309 Green street. She told her story in court this morning of having gone to Mrs. Medel’s house to “board” after she had left her own home. Mrs. Medel’s arrest was brought about when Anna’s mother, Mrs. Rose Rodansky, had her daughter arrested as being incorrigible.
The girl who was released as a material witness was Jennie Krauss, 15 years old, 1252 Sycamore street. She also testified that she had gone to Mrs. Medel’s house and slept over night.
John Adwntwski, 20 years old, 1251 Whitman avenue, was held in $500 bail on statements made by the Rodansky girl.
1226 Decatur Street — Engagement Announcement
Camden Courier-Post —
Mr. and Mrs. Russell Trout, of 235 Hampshire avenue, Audubon, announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Agnes Barbara Trout, to Mr. Leon Puszczykowski, son of Mrs. Leon Puszczykowski, of 1226 Decatur street.
1255 Decatur Street
Fred Klosterman lived at 1255 Decatur Street from 1929 to 1933.
1261 Decatur Street — Marriage Licenses
Camden Courier-Post —
Marriage Licenses
Vincent Lamonte, 21, of 354 Division street, and Dolores T. Passeri, 20, of 1261 Decatur street.
1264 Decatur Street — 2 Youths Are Caught In Padlocked Cafe
Camden Courier-Post —
2 YOUTHS ARE CAUGHT IN PADLOCKED CAFE
Two Whitman Park youths who were arrested by a special officer as they were emerging from the cellar of a padlocked saloon were held without bail Saturday to await grand jury disposal of charges of breaking and entering.
The prisoners gave their names as Thomas Hines, 21, of 1264 Decatur street, and Leon Gentek, 18, of 1219 Van Hook street. They were arrested by former Policeman Oscar Probst, now a special watchman guarding stores on Mt. Ephraim avenue.
Probst said he saw them coming from the basement of Purdy’s Cafe, southeast corner of Van Hook street and Mt. Ephraim avenue. They had forced their way in, Probst stated.
The two pleaded not guilty.
1271–1283 Decatur Street — March 15, 2012
1271–1283 Decatur Street — Photographs taken March 15, 2012
1272 Decatur Street — Camden Drys Cut Holiday Rum Supply
Camden Courier-Post —
CAMDEN DRYS CUT HOLIDAY RUM SUPPLY
Two Held for Grand Jury After Howe Street Seizure
At least part of the holiday liquor supply has been stopped, it was revealed yesterday when Mikoloy Miskiewicz, 34, of 1141 Van Hook street, and Paul Starzynski, 1272 Decatur street, were arraigned before United States Commissioner Wynn Armstrong on charges of manufacturing liquor, possession and transportation. They pleaded not guilty and waived hearings and were held in $1000 bail for the grand jury.
The men were arrested Saturday night by Federal agents under Schuyler Adams, newly-appointed prohibition head in this section, after the agents had watched a house at 907 Howe street all day.
Towards evening an automobile drove up and two men began piling cans into the back seat. The cans, on investigation, proved to be 18 five-gallon tins filled with moonshine whisky.
In the cellar of the house the agents found a 150-gallon still in operation, two cookers, a coil and cooler, 36 50-gallon barrels of mash, 15 empty 50-gallon barrels, 25 gallons of alleged moonshine whisky and some empty cans. Miskiewicz, the agents say, is the owner and driver of the automobile, and his partner is charged with being employed as a helper.
1276 Decatur Street — Tower of Prayer and Deliverance
1276 Decatur Street — Tower of Prayer and Deliverance, Inc. — Photographs taken March 15, 2012
1281 Decatur Street — Arson Fire Kills Homeless Man in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Arson fire kills homeless man in Camden
Authorities have identified a 65-year-old elderly squatter killed Friday morning in a Camden arson fire.
After battling a blaze that burned through a rowhouse on the 1200 block of Decatur Street, fire fighters found Paul Johnson on the second floor of the home around 4:15 a.m., police said.
An autopsy ruled the man had died from smoke inhalation, and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office ruled the death a homicide.
1287 Decatur Street — Stores, Homes Looted; Radio, Pennies Taken
Camden Courier-Post —
STORES, HOMES LOOTED; RADIO, PENNIES TAKEN
Burglars who broke into two stores and a private home Thursday night got exactly $2.50, a radio, and some cigars for their trouble.
At the store of Basile Constantine, 402 Berkley Street, cigars valued at $1.50 were stolen by the intruders, who forced a rear shutter. Michael Kelly, of 11 South Fourth Street, reported his store was broken into and $2.50 in pennies stolen. Entrance was gained through a rear window. James Hayes, of 1287 Decatur Street, told the police his radio set was stolen by the thieves after they entered his house through a rear window.
Detectives Clarence Arthur and Clifford Carr are investigating.
1290 & 1299 Decatur Street — March 15, 2012
1290 and 1299 Decatur Street — Photographs taken March 15, 2012. 1299 Decatur Street, a former grocery operated by Santo Ardire in 1947, was scheduled for demolition in March 2012.
1296 Decatur Street — Dominick F. Gallo
Camden Courier-Post —
DOMINICK F. GALLO
Dominick F. Gallo, 43, of 1296 Decatur st., died Tuesday in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. Born in Italy and a Camden resident 34 years, he was associated in a fruit vending business, V. Gallo & Sons, with his father. He was a War II veteran.
Surviving are his stepmother, Mrs. Nicoletta Gallo, and his father, Vincenzo Gallo, with whom he lived.
Solemn requiem high Mass will be celebrated at 10 a. m. Saturday in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Relatives and friends will meet at 9 o’clock at the Joseph A. and Frank V. Falco Funeral Home, 1018 S. 4th st., where they may call Friday night.
1297 Decatur Street
Herman J. Baker and his wife Emma lived at 1297 Decatur Street in the 1930s–1940.
1300 Block of Decatur Street
1300 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
City directory records, 1891–2015.
1301 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1940s–2003 | The Victory Cafe |
1302 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 13th Ward Democrat Club |
1303 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1941 | Nicholas Iacovelli |
1329 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1941 | William J. Sbariscia |
1334 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1939 | Thirteenth Ward Italian-American Citizens Democratic Club |
1338 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Michael Nardelli & Family |
| 1947 | Mary Nardelli |
1348 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Roy DeSanctis |
1351 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1940s–1947 | Rocco DeSanctis |
| 1940s–1945 | Romeo DeSanctis |
1353 Decatur Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1930s–1940s | Lawrence A. Scavette & Family |
| 1930s–1940s | Concetta Scavette |
| 1930s–1940s | Daniel Scavette |
| 1930s–1940s | Mildred Scavette |
| 1930s–1940s | Jennie Scavette |
| 1930s–1940s | Teresa Scavette |
| 1930s–1940s | Achille Scavette |
| 1940s | Lawrence A. Scavette Jr. |
Related: 1301 & 1303 Decatur — Victory Cafe, 2003 · 1303 Decatur — Nicholas Iacovelli, 1941 · 1307 & 1309 Decatur — Photos, 2004 · 1329 Decatur — William J. Sbariscia, 1941 · 1334 Decatur — 13th Ward Italian-American Club, 1939 · 1351 Decatur — Romeo DeSanctis · 1353 Decatur — Scavette Family
1301 & 1303 Decatur Street
1301 & 1303 Decatur Street — October 5, 2003. The Victory Cafe stood at 1301 Decatur Street.
1303 Decatur Street — Auxiliary Firemen
Camden Courier-Post —
Left: Charles Geitz. Right: Nicholas Iacovelli, auxiliary fireman, 1303 Decatur Street — Camden Courier-Post, July 1, 1941.
1307 & 1309 Decatur Street — February 22, 2004
1307 & 1309 Decatur Street — Photographs taken February 22, 2004
1329 Decatur Street — Board No. 11 Calls 7 Men for Draft
Camden Courier-Post —
BOARD NO. 11 CALLS 7 MEN FOR DRAFT
Local Board No. 11, Wildwood and Princess avenues, announced it has ordered seven youths to appear for induction into the Army July 30. They are: Paul Lightman, 24, of 1176 Haddon avenue; Joseph B. Kujawa, 26, of 1202 Everett street; Alfred Zanwood, 23, of 1195 Thurman street; John E. Wiley, 27, of 1061 Diamond street; Cecil W. Davis, 21, of 1213 Langham avenue; William J. Sbariscia, 23, of 1329 Decatur street; and Leonard Auslander, 22, of 1237 Magnolia avenue.
1334 Decatur Street — Guilty Pleas Made by 2 Clubs Here in Sunday Rum Cases
Camden Courier-Post —
GUILTY PLEAS MADE BY 2 CLUBS HERE IN SUNDAY RUM CASES
Officers of Six Other Organizations Deny Charges; Decisions Reserved
Officers of two clubs pleaded guilty last night to charges of selling liquor on Sunday and six others entered not guilty pleas to similar and other charges before Camden Excise Board.
Complaints were made by agents of the state commissioner of alcoholic beverages. They testified they visited most of the clubs on July 10 last and made purchases. Decision was reserved in each case.
The Fourth Ward Italian Republican Club, 464 Royden street, was cited for Sunday sales on August 14. Norman Myers and J. Lloyd Wright, state agents, testified they were recognized when they entered the premises but saw 10 men drinking at a bar.
It was revealed during the preliminary hearing that the club rented its club house to the Societa Operaia Di Mutu Assistenza Cittadina Di Camden, of 410 Line street, on that date.
John L. Morrissey, chairman of the board, pointed out the society would have obtained a special permit to sell beer but the organization could not obtain such a permit for Sunday sales, which are prohibited under the Camden ordinances. He said the club violated the law by renting the club house for sales of liquor without a special permit. The agents said Bector Borsello, 606 West Street, was tending bar at the time of their visit and David Angelo claimed to be chairman of the house committee.
Non-Member Charge Made
Officers of the Thirteenth Ward Italian-American Citizens Democratic Club, 1334 Decatur street, declared they did not know whether laws had been violated at their club as they were absent when Agents Bayard M. Sullivan and Roscoe Lockwood visited the club on July 10. Morrissey notified them to bring the charge at that time before the board at the next meeting. They also are charged with sales to non-members.
Russian Workers Mutual Aid Society of America, 612 Ferry avenue, and the Camden County Polish-American Republican Club, 1101 Van Hook street, entered pleas of guilty through officers Sullivan and Lockwood testified they visited those clubs on July 10.
Brunner Club Denies Guilt
Officers of the George E. Brunner Third Ward Democratic Club, 435 South Third street, pleaded not guilty to selling liquor to members on July 30. Two agents said they joined the Relief Truckers Association of Camden County to obtain entrance to the club. They testified you had to join the relief association to get into the bar room on the second floor. William Brooks, Norman Myers and Lockwood testified they obtained drinks in the club house.
1351 Decatur Street — Romeo DeSanctis
Romeo DeSanctis lived at 1351 Decatur Street in the 1940s.
1353 Decatur Street — Scavette Family
Engagement Announcement — Scavetti/Nardelli
Mrs. Concetta Scavetti, of 1353 Decatur street, has announced the engagement of her daughter, Miss Theresa Scavetti, to Mr. Anthony Nardelli, son of Mrs. Louise Nardelli, of 1214 Kaighn avenue. The wedding will take place Saturday, Sept. 20.
Sergeant Lawrence A. Scavett Jr. (last name was shortened to Scavett at enlistment) of 1353 Decatur Street.