Diamond Street
Diamond Street is a one block thoroughfare that runs south, from 1186 Mount Vernon Street to Chestnut Street, west of Haddon Avenue. The street first appears in City Directories in 1887, and as it did not appear in the previous edition, 1885–1886, one can safely assume that Diamond Street came into being in the intervening period. Many of Diamond Street’s residents for many years were Polish immigrant families, as the street is just a short walk from St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, the heart and soul of Camden’s Polish community. Diamond Street’s houses were originally numbered with one or two digits. This system was still being used when the 1890–1891 City Directory was compiled, however, by the time the 1891–1892 edition was published, the standard house numbering system was in use, and the 1891 Sanborn Map utilized the four digit numbers in use today.
By Phil Cohen
1896 Sanborn Map
1896 Sanborn Map of Diamond Street.
Intersection of Mount Vernon Street & Diamond Street
Looking south on Diamond Street from Mount Vernon Street, August 2, 2006.
1000 Block of Diamond Street — Occupants
City directory records, 1891–2015.
1039 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923–1931 | Alex Zabielski & Family |
| 1923–1931 | Felix Zabielski |
1041 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1906–1920 | Louis Bendzyn & Family |
| 1906–1920 | Felix E. Bendzyn |
| 1921–1955 | Frank Roman & Family |
1043 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923 | John Szenska |
| 1931 | Mrs. Annie Grabowski |
| 2015 | Antero Nogueras |
1045 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923 | Andrew Smillack |
| 1931 | Valentine Jaskiewicz |
| 2015 | Daniel Jimenez |
1047 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1919–1920 | Mrs. Julia Vinieska |
| 1923 | Mrs. Annie Winnicke |
| 1931 | Walter Glowoccy (Glowacki) |
| 2015 | John Walton Jr. |
1049 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1893–1898 | Henry Sayles & Family |
| 1919–1920 | Stanley Kuznus |
| 1923–1931 | Leo Kramer |
| 1931 | William Dziekanska |
| 2015 | Rogerio Silva |
1051 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1891 | George S. Jordon |
| 1892–1893 | Mrs. Catherine McGrath & Family |
| 1892–1893 | Sylvester Wesley McGrath |
| 1919–1920 | Stanley Stowal |
| 1923 | John Bogatsky |
| 1931 | Valentine Stalmark (Stelmach) |
| 2015 | Dolores Peterson |
1053 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1915–1920 | Joseph Kapcinski |
| 1923 | Frank Ollek |
| 1931 | Frank Stalmark (Stelmach) |
| 1947 | Stephen P. Szwak & Family |
1055 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1919–1920 | John Barkowski |
| 1923 | John Spittak |
| 1931 | Vacant |
| 1937 | Marie Louise Brenson |
1057 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1891 | John Kowalewski |
| 1910 | John Feltz Sr. & Family |
| 1910 | Leon Feltz |
| 1919–1920 | Frank Ollek |
| 1923 | Julius Barkowski |
| 1931 | Vacant |
1059 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1919–1920 | Frank Rankowski |
| 1923 | Horace B. Bates |
| 1931 | Joseph Phillips |
| 1936 | Catherine Bielicka (d. 2/12/1936) |
1061 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1908–1924 | Mrs. Pauline Weadership |
| 1931 | Sandy Davis |
| 1941 | John E. Wiley |
1063 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923 | Paul Ollek |
| 1931 | Mrs. Dora Beale |
1065 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1909 | Rebecca Jones (d. December 1909) |
| 1919–1923 | Paul Ardetski |
| 1931 | John Szwak |
| 2014 | Leon G. Taylor Jr. |
1067 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1919–1920 | Alex Zabielski & Family |
| 1919–1920 | Felix Zabielski |
| 1931 | Vacant |
| 2014 | Brian Williams |
1069 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1915 | Joseph Levindoski & Family |
| 1919–1920 | Frank Krusiniski |
| 1923 | Frank Krichensky |
| 1931 | Vacant |
| 1933 | C.F. Mills |
1071 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1919–1920 | John Finkeloski |
| 1923 | John Heliemski |
| 1931 | Vacant |
| 2015 | Sharonda Kyles |
1073 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1919–1920 | John Baiewoski |
| 1923 | John Biatoskwiski |
| 1931 | Albert Foreaker |
1075 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1919–1920 | Vincent Osinski |
| 1923 | Mrs. Emily Opitz |
| 1931 | Lafayette Powell |
1077 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1919–1920 | Valentine Stelmach |
1079 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1919–1920 | Andrew Biawsoski |
1081 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1919–1920 | Jacob Krobieniy |
1083 Diamond Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1919–1920 | Joseph Chupka |
Related: 1041 Diamond Street — 1909 · 1041 Diamond Street — Wallace Roman, 1955 · 1049 Diamond Street — Found Body at Foot of Stairs, 1902 · 1051 Diamond Street — Grade Crossing Victims, 1891 · 1053 Diamond Street — Held for Strike Riot, 1915 · 1061 Diamond Street — Camden at a Glance, 1914 · 1061 Diamond Street — Board No. 11 Draft, 1941 · 1069 Diamond Street — Caught Stealing Flowers, 1915 · 1069 Diamond Street — Shootings, 1933 · 1069 Diamond Street — Fire Alarms, 1954 · 1075 Diamond Street — Photo, 2004
1041 Diamond Street — Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN NEWS NOTES
Accused of robbing Henry Miller, driver of a baker wagon, of $27, Paul Benson, 16 years old, of 1041 Diamond street, was held in $500 bail by Recorder Stackhouse in Camden yesterday. Miller said he had been stopped by three boys and that while two held him Benson went through his pockets. The youthful defendant said he had spent the money for a bicycle, a watch and a trip to Atlantic City.
1041 Diamond Street — Declare Man Kicked Child
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Declare Man Kicked Child
On a charge of deliberately kicking Alexander Bendzin, of 1041 Diamond street, causing possibly permanent injuries, Andrew Kolposhi, 25 years old, was held in $500 bail for court by Acting Recorder Knight, in Camden, yesterday. It was declared that Kolposhi was walking along the street and that because the child happened to be in his way he kicked him in the abdomen. This occurred on July 25 and since that time the boy has been unable to walk.
1041 Diamond Street — $1313 Seized In Raid Is Returned
Camden Courier-Post —
$1313 Seized In Raid Is Returned
Successful Plaintiff Says Money Was Intended for Car
A mixed jury in Camden County Court ruled today that Wallace Roman, of 1041 Diamond st., was entitled to recover $1313 taken from him in a Lawnside gambling raid nearly three years ago.
On receiving the verdict, which the jury arrived at after about 40 minutes of deliberation, Judge Palese ordered the County Treasurer to pay Roman the money.
Roman contended, in a suit brought against County Treasurer Joseph Dynakowski, the money was illegally confiscated during the raid on March 26, 1952, in which Roman and 30 others were seized by state police and county detectives in a house at 4 Charleston ave., Lawnside.
City Commissioner William C Gotshalk, Roman’s attorney, argued that Roman was carrying the $1313 in his pocket in preparation for the purchase of a new automobile, and that the sum was removed from Roman’s pocket illegally by the raiders.
Vincent L. Gallaher, who represented the county, contended the money was used for gambling.
Roman was convicted in February, 1953, as a principal in the Lawnside dice game and with five others was fined $1000 and given a suspended one-to-two-year sentence by Judge Palese.
1049 Diamond Street — Found Body at Foot of Stairs
Philadelphia Inquirer —
FOUND BODY AT FOOT OF STAIRS
Mystery in the Death of Pole in Camden—Five Men Placed Under Arrest
Coroner Litchfield is investigating the death of Frank Taianoski, a Pole, 35 years old, of Olyphant, Pa., whose body was found early yesterday morning at the foot of a stairway at 1049 Diamond street, Camden. Jacob Chopper, Peter Oplushi, John Schwenze, John Vannank and Stanlaus Weruski, Hungarians, who cannot speak English, were arrested by County Detectives Smith and Cherry on suspicion of knowing something about Taianoski’s death.
Shortly after 3 o’clock yesterday morning Coroner Litchfield was awakened by two men, who told him to go to 1049 Diamond street, where a man was being killed. Thinking it was a ruse to get him out of the house to do him bodily injury the Coroner refused to go. Some time after Edward Wolfe, an English speaking Pole, told the Coroner that there was a dead man at the Diamond street house. Coroner Litchfield at once went to the house and found Taianoski’s body at the foot of the stairway. Surrounding it were the five Hungarians, two of whom were recognized as the early morning visitors.
Nothing could be gleaned from the men, who told conflicting stories. One, who said he was a room-mate of the dead man, stated he had arrived home late and had fallen over the body. On examining the body the Coroner found Taianoski had received a bad fracture of the skull, which had caused his death.
Taianoski was a miner and went to Camden three weeks ago. His wife has been sent for in the hope that she can aid the officials in untangling the mystery. The body is now at the Morgue.
1051 Diamond Street — Grade Crossing Victims
Philadelphia Inquirer —
GRADE CROSSING VICTIMS.
Two Young Men Killed on the West Jersey Railroad in Camden.
The deadly grade crossing scored two more victims in Camden last night. While driving across the West Jersey Railroad tracks at Vanhook street, Albert Beck, 25 years old, and George S. Jordon, three years younger, were struck by the Bridgeton accommodation train, which leaves the Federal street depot at 5:10. Beck was thrown under the engine and horribly mangled, death being instantaneous. His body was found 65 feet from the crossing and blood and pieces of flesh were strewn along the track for that distance. Jordon was thrown some distance and his neck was broken. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital, but died a few minutes after being placed on the operating table. The carriage was wrecked, but the horse escaped uninjured. Both bodies were taken to the Camden Morgue and Coroner Jefferis will hold an inquest.
The young men hired the team at 3 o’clock from Liveryman William S. Avis, of Sixth and Mount Vernon streets. They said they were going to Gloucester and were probably on their way home when killed. It is reported that they were both under the influence of liquor.
Beck was a baker and boarded with Josiah Jones, at Sixth and Chestnut streets. Jordon resided at 1051 Diamond street and was a teamster. There are no safety gates at the crossing where the accident occurred.
1053 Diamond Street — Held for Strike Riot
Philadelphia Inquirer —
HELD FOR STRIKE RIOT
Leather Mill Labor Troubles Result in Court Action
There was an echo of the labor troubles at the Castle Kid Company and the Keystone Leather Company in the Camden Police Court before Recorder Stackhouse yesterday when Joseph Copvinski, 29 years old, of 1053 Diamond street, and Frank Notevis, 46 years old, of 1160 Mt. Vernon street, were held under $1000 bail each.
They were accused of assaulting Daniel Gelsatrum, 30 years old, of 1139 Lawrence street, and K. Agemian, 33 years old, of the same address, both of whom had taken the place of strikers at the Keystone plant.
In addition, Charles Szepeh, 40 years old, of 3294 Gaul street, Philadelphia, and Victor Robinolski, 40 years old, of South Seventh street, who were accused of rioting at the Castle Kid plant, were held for a hearing today. John Broski, 38 years old, of 1120 South Ninth street, alleged to have been with rioting strikers, was sentenced to twenty days in jail.
1061 Diamond Street — Camden at a Glance
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN AT A GLANCE
Passing a clump of trees on a path leading to Forest Hill Park with two girl companions, yesterday afternoon, Olive Watership, aged 8 years, of 1062 Diamond street, was grabbed by a strange man. When the other children ran back and summoned help the man fled toward the creek and made his escape. The child’s arm is scratched, and her face is bruised as a result of her assailant placing his hand over her mouth to prevent her from screaming.
1061 Diamond 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.
1069 Diamond Street — Caught Stealing Flowers
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Caught stealing flowers from a garden at Parkside. Tony Levindoski, aged 26 years, of 1069 Diamond street, was fined $5 by Recorder Stackhouse yesterday.
1069 Diamond Street — Two Shot by Police, November 19, 1933
Jesse Gorczynski, 23, of 1161 Ross Street, was shot in the back by police on November 19, 1933 in the home of C.F. Mills, 1069 Diamond Street. He was buried at New Camden Cemetery. Also shot and killed by police at 1069 Diamond Street: Peter Paul Jaroszewski, 20, of 1154 Louis Street, buried at New St. Mary’s Cemetery.
1069 Diamond Street — Camden Fire Alarms
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Fire Alarms
Midnight Saturday Until Midnight Sunday
12:25 a.m., 323 Stevens st., old rags on oil heater. 1:15 a.m., Wright ave. and Federal st., oil burner. 5:42 a.m., 219 N. 3rd st., rubbish in yard. 11:53 a.m., Point and Elm sts., false alarm. 1:11 p.m., 20th and Hayes ave., grass. 1:30 p.m., 34th and Remington ave., grass. 3:38 p.m., Delaware ave. and Elm st., part interior of barn.
6:08 p.m., 1069 Diamond st., possible careless smoker.
1075 Diamond Street, June 28, 2004
1075 Diamond Street, June 28, 2004.
Intersection of Chestnut Street & Diamond Street
Looking north on Diamond Street from Chestnut Street, August 10, 2011.