Hudson Street and Hudson Place
Hudson Street ran one-half block south from Federal Street, just west of Broadway, near Camden’s City Hall. For many years it was best known as the home of the Hudson Tavern. The street still more or less exists, but is unmarked. The Hudson Tavern, the last remaining structure on the street, was razed in 2003.
Hudson Place ran west from 21 Hudson Street to 16 Park Place.
Hudson Tavern — 12 Hudson Street
Cafe Hudson. Just off Federal. 12 S. Hudson St. (Just below the new Court House.) Absecon Salt Oysters. Little Neck or Cherrystone Clams. Fresh Snapper Soup. Stewed Snapper in Any Style. Hard Shell Crabs. Soft Shell Crabs—Deviled Crabs. Special Hudson Lobster Platters. We Have A Large Variety of Fresh Fish Platters. Steaks & Chops—English Mutton Chop. Special Hudson Chicken & Waffle Plat. Salads. We Specialize in Sea Foods. Try Our Steamed or Broiled Shore Combinations. Game in Season. We Serve Fresh Vegetables on Platters The Year Round. Ask About Our Banquet Department.
Intersection of Federal Street & Hudson Street
Looking East on Federal Street from Hudson Street, circa 1906.
Looking South on Hudson Street — May 18, 1960 — Fire at Brait’s men’s furnishing.
Looking South at Hudson Street from City Hall — February 3, 1961 — Fire at F.W. Woolworth store, 548–550 Federal Street. Photo courtesy of Bob Bartosz.
Intersection of Hudson Street and Federal Street — November 13, 1974. The fire apparatus facing the camera is parked on Hudson Street.
Unit Block of Hudson Street
Unit Block of Hudson Street — Occupants
City directory records, 1880s–1947.
2 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1928 | Typewriter Service Co. |
4 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1936 | Lazo & Sheehan — Bart A. Sheehan |
| 1947 | Martinez Studio — photographer |
5 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1880s–1890s | Joseph H. Murray |
| 1893–1896 | Thomas McCowan |
| 1924 | Lackey & Hettel Inc. — Architects & Engineers |
| 1936 | Lazo & Sheehan — Bart A. Sheehan |
| 1947 | Martinez Studio — photographer |
6–8 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | warehouse |
8 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1906–1920 | John W. Golden — Camden Police Department |
9 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1910 | Mrs. Mollie Householder |
10 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1927 | Lackey & Hettel Inc. — Architects & Engineers; Joseph N. Hettel Sr. |
11 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1893–1897 | John Feerick |
12 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1931–2002 | Cafe Hudson / Hudson Tavern |
14 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Denzil Warrington |
16 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1870s–1880s | Col. William Boyd Robertson |
| 1906–1916 | Mrs. Grace Smith & Family — Patrick Smith, Anna Smith |
| 1947 | Charles Balinkas |
18 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1900s–1920s | Edward Stokes King Sr. Family — Edward Stokes King Jr. |
| 1947 | Mrs. Anna K. Desher |
19 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1870s–mid-1920s | George Sensfelder & Family — George Sensfelder, Edward Lorang, Harold E. Lorang Sr., George Lorang |
| 1947 | Subway Terminal Parking Lot |
20 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1905 | Charles M. Wells |
21 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1910s–1920s | James Malan |
22 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1893 | Alexander Sweeney |
23 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1902 | John Cherry |
24–30 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1930s–1947 | Philadelphia Transit Company Speed Line (subway) |
25 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1896–1904 | Mrs. Grace Smith & Family — Edward P. Smith, Patrick Smith, Catherine Smith, Anna Smith |
26 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1889–1895 | Charles M. Ferat Sr. Family — Charles M. & Mary Ferat, Charles M. Ferat Jr., Edward Ferat, William Ferat, Helene Ferat, Mary Ferat |
27 Hudson Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1880s | Henry S. Campbell |
Typewriter Service Co. — 2 Hudson Street
Camden Courier-Post —
TYPEWRITERS SOLD—RENTED REPAIRED—ALL MAKES. Typewriter Service Co. No. 2 Hudson St. Camden 3011. Camden Courier-Post advertisement, January 3, 1928.
John W. Golden — 8 Hudson Street
John W. Golden, 8 Hudson Street, 1906–1920. Sergeant, Camden Police Department.
Mrs. Mollie Householder — 9 Hudson Street
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Some time early yesterday morning thieves entered the home of Mrs. Mollie Householder, of 9 Hudson street, and carried away a woman’s fure coat, an overcoat and other wearing apparel valued at $60.
Lackey & Hettel Inc. — 10 Hudson Street
Lackey & Hettel Inc., Architects & Engineers — Joseph N. Hettel Sr. — 10 Hudson Street, 1927.
John Furick — 11 Hudson Street
Philadelphia Inquirer —
John Furick, 25 years old, of No. 11 Hudson street, was struck by a Pennsylvania Railroad train at the Second and Bridge avenue crossing last night. At the Cooper Hospital it was discovered that, although badly bruised, no bones were broken and his injuries are not serious.
Cafe Hudson / Hudson Tavern — 12 Hudson Street
Cafe Hudson, 12 Hudson Street — Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Camden Forest No. 5, 6th Annual Show program, April 23–25, 1931.
Dancing Every Saturday Eve.
Dancing Every Saturday Eve. Make The "Hudson" Your Rendezvous! Special Attractions at All Times! Dinners 75c. Businessmen's Lunch 35c. No Cover or Minimum Charge. The Hudson Cafe. 12 Hudson Street.
Hudson Tavern, 12 Hudson Street, 2002.
Hospital Cases
Camden Courier-Post —
WEST JERSEY
Anna Amber, 52, of 960 Ferry avenue, splinter in finger.
Ernestine Herman, 9, of 710 Van Hook street, dog bite of foot.
Alvesta Taylor, 40, Mt. Holly, cut of hand.
Alfred Corbett, 18, King avenue, Pennsauken, crushed finger.
George Stowe, 71, Chestnut avenue, Woodlynne, fractured thumb.
Robert Button, 17, of 1500 Louis street, cut wrist.
Ellsworth Fussel, 28, of 1055 South Second street, deep cut of arm.
Rose Marie Biederman, 9, Green avenue, Mt. Ephraim, infection of head.
COOPER
Stella Smith, 14, of 1448 Haddon avenue, cut of finger.
Robert Carrier, 16, of 833 Lawrence street, sprained arm.
Joseph Castillano, 36, of 1253 South Merrimac road, sprained hand.
Audrey Edwards, 12, of 916 South Ninth street, sprained wrist.
Josephine Rossi, 37, of 102 Pearl street, contusion of chest.
Michael De Delecce, 47, of 12 Hudson street, contusion of ribs.
Melvin Reed, 10, of 436 West street, contusion of scalp.
Florence Fidler, 7, of 315 North Front street, foot injury.
John Iacovino, 14, of 417 Royden street, dog bite of ankle.
Charles M. Wells — 20 Hudson Street
Camden Post-Telegram —
CAMDEN’S DEATH ROLL
CHARLES M. WELLS.
Charles M. Wells, for many years flagman at the railroad crossing of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Broadway and Bridge avenue, died suddenly at his home, 20 Hudson street, this morning, of heart disease. Mr. Wells was 61 years old and had been a resident of this city nearly all his life.
A short time previous to his death Mr. Wells complained of having pains around his heart. He was walking about the room when he fell over dead.
Coroner Lippincott was notified and gave a certificate of death from heart disease.
Alexander Sweeney — 22 Hudson Street
Philadelphia Inquirer —
SWEENEY.—On the 29th instant, Alexander Sweeney, aged 72 years.
The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Friday morning, at 8 o’clock, from his late residence, 22 Hudson street, Camden, N. J. High Mass at Church of Immaculate Conception. Interment at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.
John Cherry — 23 Hudson Street
John Cherry, 23 Hudson Street, 1902.
Edward P. Smith — 25 Hudson Street
Philadelphia Inquirer —
SMITH.—On January 4, 1899, Edward P., son of Grace and the late Edward Smith. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Saturday morning, at 8 o’clock, from his mother’s residence, 25 Hudson street, Camden, N. J. High mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Interment at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.
400 Block of Hudson Place
400 Block of Hudson Place — Occupants
City directory records, 1947. Hudson Place ran west from 21 Hudson Street to 16 Park Place.
439 Hudson Place
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Albert E. Campbell |
441 Hudson Place
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | unknown |
Hudson Street in 1885
Hudson Place, the alley between 19 and 21 Hudson Street, is visible, but no houses faced on it in 1885.
Hudson Street in 1885 — Taylor map.
Injured as Fire Destroys Kresge Building
Camden Courier-Post —
BROADWAY STORE BUILDING WRECKED BY THREE-ALARM FIRE—Shown is the interior of the S. S. Kresge building, at 29-33 Broadway, which was destroyed by fire last night and early today. Five firemen were burned in the blaze, which threatened the central business district.
2nd Blaze Calls Out All Men
Camden’s entire fire-fighting facilities were called on during the night to battle two blazes, one a three-alarm in which five firemen were injured.
The three-alarm fire swept the S. S. Kresge building at 29-33 Broadway, threatening the central business district until brought under control.
Discovered at 10.17 p. m., the Kresge fire brought all except three of the city’s 12 companies to the scene. At 1.52 a. m. fire broke out at the Camden Foundry Co., Front and Elm streets, requiring the three remaining companies.
The North Camden blaze was confined to a small section of the building. Firemen said it was caused by an overheated stove which set moulding afire. Firemen returned from this blaze at 2.15 a. m.
With five firemen temporarily unavailable for service because of face and hand burns, Deputy Chief Erickson appealed to the city electrical bureau at 12.30 to summon all available off-duty firemen.
Firemen were forced to lie flat on the slush-covered pavements to play hoses into the Kresge building because of the dense smoke billowing from doorways and windows. After two hours, many were at the point of exhaustion.
Smoke Fills Building
The fire was believed to have started in the basement and the building was filled with smoke when firemen arrived. They were unable to enter the building.
At 2 a.m. the flames broke through the roof and were visible for 10 blocks. The first floor was sagging at the ends of the building after the fire broke through the center.
Forcing a corrugated iron receiving door in the rear, firemen of Engine Company No. 8 were forced to drop to the street as flames shot 35 feet into Hudson street.
Lines Through Terminal
Hose lines were run through the highspeed line terminal, which adjoins the fired building. A line was played into the building from the roof of the terminal.
Several times firemen were forced to crawl backward from the building as back-lashes of flames roared from the interior.
Taken to Cooper hospital with burns of the face were Firemen William Reed, Thomas Winstanley and Thomas McParland. All returned to the fire for duty.
Treated at the scene were Acting Captain Howell Needham and Fireman Theodore Guthrie. They were burned about the hands and face.
Water Bureau Helps
Shortly after arrival Acting Chief Walter Mertz announced the city water pressure was low and water barely trickled from a plug on Hudson street near the rear of the building.
Water Superintendent Edward Sheehan was notified and upon an inspection of the plug, found the control system had been broken as firemen attempted to open it. This reduced the ordinary flow by about two-thirds, Sheehan said.
Before he arrived at the fire, Sheehan ordered five extra pumps put into operation at various city pumping stations to increase pressure. When the fire broke out, the city pumps
Is Zat So!
Camden Courier-Post —
By GORDON MACKAY
To the New Jersey Legislature:
IT’S about time somebody talked turkey to you gentlemen. If our representatives lack the gumption to tell you birds where to head in, then I’ll elect myself to do the job. I’ve been a resident of Camden for the past five months. That’s long enough to realize that you birds in Trenton use Camden city and county for a pair of prize saps. You take us both for a ride whenever you get the chance.
I’ll be specific boys, so that you can digest the stuff. I’ll take the Camden bridge first. This span connects us with Philadelphia. It is a matter that should be dealt with mainly by the two cities, with a number of elected representatives of both states on the joint commission also.
Take a look at the record! Camden city hasn’t one member of the bridge commission. Philadelphia has five. Camden county has one member of the commission. The Jersey interests are largely vested in a representation from the sticks of Salem county, the whistle stops of Ocean county, remote Atlantic county, a county as close to the bridge as Elizabeth in Union county.
Mayor Wilson represents the City of Philadelphia on the commission. Our city doesn’t have a single official on the personnel. The Governor, State Auditor and State Treasurer of Pennsylvania sit on the commission. Similar representatives from this state should also sit on the same body. No fault to find with that.
But now we come to the yokel representation. Figure out for yourself what right any bird from Salem, Ocean, Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland counties has to sit on that commission.
NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT
Of course it’s nice work if you can get it, but what right do they have to it? Show me where any Camden representatives sit on anything that concerns Ocean county? Show me where Camden ever has had a chance to horn into other counties’ affairs? Yet every county seems to own the right to horn into Camden county’s affairs. I find no fault with commissioners from Gloucester and Burlington; those counties have a direct interest in the bridge.
But where does a guy from Ocean or Cape May or Cumberland or Salem county come to horn into the bridge business? I’ll bet none of those commissioners from South Jersey whistle stops has ever taken a ride on the high-speed lines, outside of the invitation he may have received to whirl over the river on the trial trip of the first cars to run.
Look at what hick rule does for our terminals. You can’t buy a newspaper in the terminal at City Hall or Hudson street. You can’t buy a cigarette. You can’t buy a sandwich. You can’t buy a single thing, except a ticket. Where in blazes did you ever see anything like this exist before? Show me any terminal in a city that seems to be metropolitan where the bus lines, car lines, bridge lines or other avenues of public travel do not cater to the wants and needs of the patrons.
Yet two or three guys from the sticks have the nerve to stand up at a meeting of the commission and yawp and yip about putting in stores, newsstands, commercial enterprises that you find in every other terminal I ever knew. They prattle about “hot dog stands” defacing the station. Why those birds don’t even go into one of the high-speed line stations twice in a year and they lock them up at 8 p. m. now.
So you gentlemen at Trenton better sit down on those commissioners from the whistle stops. Abolish the law that permits their appointment, or abolish them. I don’t care which.
MAKES TERMINAL LOOK LIKE DICKENS
Take a look at the terminals. They have all the robust life and energy of a morgue. They are dismal, dour, dank. If those whistle stop commissioners want to learn the truth about conditions let them watch the terminals.
Then let them dig the sleep out of their eyes and endeavor to make the terminals like other terminals, places of commerce and trade as well as transportation. Let ‘em stray away from home long enough to visit the Sixty-ninth street Terminal in Philadelphia, or the Grand Central and Pennsylvania stations in New York.
Those whistle stop commissioners should stop taking themselves so seriously. You gentlemen at Trenton should tell them that. Let them act like commissioners, not like a burgess from one of the communities that boasts the surprising population of 152 souls, including children.
Now you birds want to listen to another complaint. You have something called the South Jersey Port Commission. And did you take Camden city for a ride on that one? I’ll tell the world.
Camden city pays $170,000 a year to run that thing. The state kicks in with a share, too. How many representatives do you suppose the City of Camden has on the port commission that runs the riverfront piers in this city?
Well, if the city had two more representatives, it would have exactly two. The county has one. How that mistake occurred is something that you gentlemen will have to learn by burrowing in your own archives.
The city foots the bill. It can find out what becomes of its doremi by reading the minutes of the annual meeting, or the annual report of the treasurer. Take your choice. All the while Camden industries are paying the same rates as industries that are situated on the banks of raging, turbulent Rancocas Creek, or that boiling, tossing stream known as Little Timber.
But this is up to you gentlemen, entirely. Our industries pay taxes, the householder pays taxes. He contributes 11 cents per $100 in order that big business concerns situated on those roaring, swishing, leaping streams like Rancocas and Little Timber can enjoy the same rates at the port terminals as local industry. Yet the outside interests don’t pay a cent toward port upkeep.
Tex Guinan must have been thinking of Camden city and county every time she whooped “Hello, Sucker.” Camden city and county are like the woman, they pay and pay and pay—and every time you birds get a chance you make them pay more.
Why don’t you put the employes on the bridge under civil service? Is it because the present idea of swapping political jobs goes on in fine style on the Jersey side. First one county fills a job. Then another fills a job. All under a nice gentleman’s agreement between the whistle stop commissioners.
The bridge commissioners from the whistle stops vote to grab our land, put up their structures, pay no taxes, and let us go jump in the lake. Above all this mess, however, rises the main objection that I have—you go right ahead taking us for a ride, treating us like prize saps. If we don’t make you do something about our plight we are saps right.
So you birds at Trenton either abolish the whistle stop commissioners, or change the existing laws so that Camden gets the same representation on the commission that Philadelphia knows. It’s time to shoot right past those whistle stops, brothers.
(IS ZAT SO.)
Gale-Force Winds Wreck Drugstore Sign (photo)
Camden Courier-Post —
GALE-FORCE winds wrecked this large sign on front of drugstore on Federal st. near Hudson st. yesterday. Firemen use aerial ladder to tear off sections left hanging precariously, posing serious threat to unwary pedestrians.