Introduction
Phil Cohen
Knight Street, originally known as Mickle’s Alley, first appears in City Directories in 1876. It then ran west of South 2nd Street, from 126 Kaighn Avenue south, ending at Mechanic Street. Mickle’s Alley was renamed Knight Street in 1881. Between 1885 and 1891 another block was added to Knight Street, running north from Kaighn Avenue to Boyer Street. This new block, the 1100 Block of Knight Street, was renamed Nelson Court sometime after 1891 and before 1906, then, according to City Directories, renamed Knight Street by 1924, only to be renamed Nelson Street by 1929.
Knight Street still had homes on it as late as July 11, 1933 when fire destroyed the five remaining homes and two other buildings along with the C.B. Coles & Sons Company lumberyard, and two homes on South Front Street. No addresses are listed on Knight in the 1947 Camden City Directory.
1914 Map
1914 map of Camden showing Knight Street
1946 Map of Camden
1946 map of Camden showing Knight Street
1100 Block of Knight Street
1100 Block of Knight Street
1115 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | Elizabeth Small |
| 1929 | (gone) |
1117 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1902 | Chester Solomon |
| 1902 | Alexander Anderson |
| 1924 | Martin Paullts |
| 1929 | (gone) |
1119 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | Nathan Sweeten |
| 1929 | (gone) |
1121 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | Watson W. White |
| 1929 | (gone) |
1123 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | Richard Pickering |
| 1929 | (gone) |
1125 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | William E. Brown |
| 1929 | (gone) |
1131 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | John C. Pyne |
| 1929 | (gone) |
1133 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1914 | Mrs. Dolly Marks & Family |
| 1914 | Austin E. Marks |
| 1924 | Francis Wilson |
| 1929 | (gone) |
1135 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | Frank Dabudo |
| 1929 | (gone) |
1136 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | John Garrett |
| 1929 | (gone) |
1137 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | George Bacon |
| 1929 | (gone) |
1138 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | Isaac Garrett |
| 1929 | (gone) |
Boat Threw Rowers Into River
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Charles Solomon, aged 31 years, and Alexander Anderson, 46 years, of 1117 Knight street, Camden, had a thrilling experience through the capsizing of their row boat in the Delaware River yesterday afternoon. Both narrowly escaped drowning. The men started to row across the river to Camden from Washington avenue wharf. Neither could swim. When they reached the middle of the river the boat turned over and both men were thrown out. They had enough presence of mind to grasp the boat. The accident was witnessed by the crew of the police boat Visitor, who came to the rescue. The two were sent to the Pennsylvania Hospital.
1200 Block of Knight Street
1200 Block of Knight Street
1215 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1933 | George Tucker (garage) |
| 1933 | (destroyed by fire, July 1933) |
1216 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1933 | Charles Voll (stable) |
| 1933 | (destroyed by fire, July 1933) |
1218 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1900–1901 | Michael N. Voll & Family |
| 1900–1901 | Michael N. Voll Jr. |
| 1900–1901 | Charles P. Voll |
| 1900–1901 | Casper Voll |
| 1900–1901 | Joseph Voll |
| 1900–1901 | Mary Voll |
| 1908 | Catherine Wagner |
| 1924–1933 | Mrs. Marion Richards |
| 1933 | (destroyed by fire, July 1933) |
1222 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1914 | Frank McShay |
| 1924 | (gone) |
1224 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1893 | William P. Buchanan |
| 1924 | (gone) |
1226 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | William Smith |
| 1929 | Robert Dolson & Family |
| 1933 | (destroyed by fire, July 1933) |
1228 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1893 | Lawrence Botts |
| 1893 | Annie Botts |
| 1924 | Edward Martin |
| 1929 | Mrs. Alice Martin |
| 1933 | James Shay |
| 1933 | (destroyed by fire, July 1933) |
1230 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | Edward Brandhurst |
| 1929 | John Crovich |
| 1933 | (destroyed by fire, July 1933) |
1232 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1929 | Raymond Sinclair |
| 1933 | (destroyed by fire, July 1933) |
1236 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1915 | William Sperling |
| 1924 | Mrs. Elizabeth Craig |
| 1929 | (not listed) |
1238 Knight Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1914 | Mrs. Mary E. Woerner |
| 1924 | David Blizzard |
| 1929 | (not listed) |
Victim of Lightning Stroke Dead
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Catherine Wagner, of 1218 Knight street, Camden, whose clothing took fire after she was struck by lightning on Thursday night, died in the Homeopathic Hospital yesterday. Her mother, who was badly burned about the hands in an effort to extinguish the flames, has left the hospital.
Little Chums Her Pall Bearers
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Attired entirely in white, six little companions of Katherine Wagner, 5 years old, of 1218 Knight street, Camden, who was burned to death Saturday as the result of being struck by lightning, acted as her pall bearers at the funeral yesterday. Services were held in the Church of the Sacred Heart, where Rev. Maurice E. Bric, the pastor, celebrated solemn requiem high mass. Interment was made in the Calvary Cemetery.
Awakes, Finds Throat of Her Husband Cut
Philadelphia Inquirer —
While his wife lay asleep nearby, Frank McShay, aged 28 years, of 1222 Knight street, Camden, drew a razor across his throat early yesterday morning. Awakened by her husband’s groans, Mrs. McShay asked him what was the matter.
“I’ve cut my throat and want to die,” said he.
Other members of the family were summoned, but McShay fought against going to the hospital.
It was stated that the man had been out of employment for seven weeks, and that he became despondent because he could not properly provide for his wife, mother and three small children.
Long List of Offenders
Philadelphia Inquirer —
LONG LIST OF OFFENDERS.
TWENTY-EIGHT PEOPLE WERE ARRAIGNED AT CITY HALL.
Several Men Charged With Highway Robbery—Juster Held for a Further Hearing on Account of Fast Driving.
The number of prisoners arraigned before Magistrate Pole at the Central Station yesterday almost equaled that of May 15, when thirty-three defendants were given a hearing. Twenty-eight faced the magistrate yesterday, three of whom were women. Among the number were William P. Buchanan, of 1224 Knight street, Camden, and John Emerick, of 714 Race street, who are accused of drugging and robbing Henry M. Pye, a traveling salesman, of 232 North Fifth street, on Friday morning last. Pye testified that he first met Buchanan and afterwards Emerick. He was robbed of $2.50. Buchanan denied that he put chloral in Pye’s liquor. They were held in $2000 bail for trial.
Reads of War, Loses Mind
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Man Goes on Warpath, But Police Capture Him
The heat, coupled with much reading of war news, is said to have caused the mental breakdown of William Sperling, aged 27, of 1236 Knight street, who was locked up in the Camden city jail yesterday. Sperling was wrecking his room when his parents were compelled to call for police assistance. The man wrapped an American flag about himself and defied all enemies of his country. He insisted on retaining the flag even when placed in a cell.
Another individual evidencing lack of mental control was Joseph Folk, who was locked up. He was later found to have escaped from an institution at Media, to which he was returned.
Mrs. Woerner Seeks Missing Daughter
Philadelphia Inquirer —
In reporting the disappearance on May 9 of her daughter, Anna, who is supposed to have gone to Brooklyn to join a vaudeville troupe, Mrs. Mary E. Woerner, of 1238 Knight street, Camden, asserts that she is greatly worried over the girl’s continued absence from home.
“I don’t know what my fate will be if Anna does not soon return,” the distracted mother wrote, “and I trust that she will read my letter in your paper and heed the appeal of an affectionate mother. She may have thought that it was to her own advantage to go, but she will probably learn differently in time, while she should also have had some regard for my feelings.
“I am broken-hearted over her disappearance, and hope she will not cause me any further worry and suffering. Tell her, please, to return home, and that she will find a faithful mother awaiting to welcome her and to assure her of happiness.”
Anchor Sea Food — Gant Street and Knight Street
Anchor Sea Food — 1955 New Jersey Bell Telephone Yellow Pages ad — Gant Street (also known as Camac Street) and Knight Street
Agnes Blocksom — 1415 Knight Street
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Agnes Blockson, of 1415 Knight street, fell from her bicycle at Second and Stanley streets yesterday and sprained her ankle. She was taken to Cooper Hospital.
C.B. Coles & Sons Fire
Camden Courier-Post —
C. B. COLES MILL DAMAGED AND 7 HOUSES BURN
Six Overcome by Smoke, Two Sisters Saved From Dwelling
ALL BEREFT OF HOMES TO BE CARED FOR BY CITY
Firemen Called at 4 A. M. as Flames Burst From Smouldering Ruins
Fire Climaxes Troubles of Kaighn Point Widow
Yesterday’s disastrous fire was the climax to a series of tragedies which have visited Mrs. Margaret Dolson, of 1226 Knight street, during the last five months. Her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Craig, 73, died about five months ago. A short time later, Mrs. Dolson’s husband, Robert, died, leaving her with three sons and a nephew. After that, a small fire broke out in her home and damaged some furniture. Because of some difficulty with the insurance company over collecting money for damage, she allowed her fire insurance on her furniture to lapse and thus was fully unprotected when—
Yesterday the Kaighn’s Point fire razed the house, which she rented, and all of her personal effects were destroyed, leaving her with nothing. Through the kindness of friends, she and her brood have shelter and food today.
Camden’s most devastating conflagration in 18 years swept over an entire city block at Kaighn Point yesterday afternoon and left in its blackened wake damage unofficially estimated at $300,000.
Again at 4 a.m. today, fire broke out in the still smouldering ruins. A fire company from Sixth street and Kaighn avenue responded to the alarm and promptly extinguished the new blaze, leaving a guard there to immediately sound an alarm at any sign of another outbreak.
Yesterday’s hungry flames, fanned by a tricky, high wind, took the following toll:
Seven homes at Nos. 1218, 1226, 1228, 1230 and 1232 Knight street, and Nos. 1208 and 1210 South Front street.
Twenty-three persons, including eight children, eight women and seven men, were left homeless.
Six persons were overcome by smoke or injured by flying debris.
Three warehouses, an office building and a large shed owned by the C. B. Coles and Sons Lumber Company on the east side of Front street at Mechanic, were destroyed or damaged. The factory and warehouses on the west side of front street were untouched by the flames and were in operation today.
Eight automobiles were completely destroyed and at least five others damaged.
A large garage housing a motorboat at 1215 Knight street, owned by George Tucker, was razed.
The stables of Charles Voll at 1216 Knight street were destroyed after 15 horses had been led to safety. Voll, a produce dealer at Second and Kaighn, also owned one of the houses destroyed and two automobiles which were demolished.
Area Affected
The area affected by the fire was bounded by Kaighn avenue, Front, Second and Mechanic streets. However, the fire wreaked the worst damage on Front and Knights streets. Knight is a small street running south from Kaighn to Mechanic, parallel to Front and Second streets.
Not since the fire which destroyed the same lumber yard on Jan. 3, 1913, has the city experienced such a destructive fire. Scarcely had smoke been sighted an an alarm sounded, then the flames were racing through the lumber yard. A shifting wind…
…sent the fire scurrying in several directions so quickly that tenants of the houses which caught fire had very little opportunity to save any of their household effects.
A general alarm was sounded for the first time in years, bringing to the scene every available piece of fire apparatus, while Philadelphia fire boats stood by to render aid should…
…the flames spread to the new $3,000,000 Reading Terminal less than a half block away.
Today, firemen were endeavoring to determine the origin of the fire, but the care of the homeless was the city’s major problem.
Those left without homes and even a change of clothing were sheltered by neighbors or relatives last night, but Dr. A. L. Stone, city relief administrator, was planning to give aid to them today.
One of the homeless women, Mrs. Marion Richards, of 1218 Knight street, went to Dr. Stone for aid at 10 a. m. today. As she was walking through the first floor at City Hall, she collapsed. Nurses from Dr. Stone’s offices revived her.
Ruins Searched by Homeless
Several of those whose homes were razed were searching in the ruins today for some of their valuables. They and firemen were the only ones permitted in the stricken area, which police had roped off. Additional patrolmen were on duty to prevent scavengers from robbing the debris of any valuables that may have been buried there.
Henry C. Coles, president of the lumber company, stated that his firm’s property was damaged to the extent of about $200,000. The entire lumber company property on the east side of Front street was either destroyed or made untenable by fire and water. However, he said the factory was in operation today, and as no trucks were damaged, the firm was conducting its usual business.
A horse known throughout the neighborhood as “Old Bob,” was burned to death in the lumber yard.
Of the houses burned, Voll owned the 1218 Knight street property; the Reading Railroad owned the house at 1226 Knight street, while the others were owned by John Bircher, of Bellmawr.
In addition to the places actually damaged, many other properties were in danger from ever-shifting winds and virtual clouds of sparks. Windows on other properties cracked from the heat, and streams of water were played on properties across the street from the burning area.
10 Lines of Hose
Chief John H. Lennox called every fire company and every fireman on duty. Every available policeman was called to handle the thousands of spectators.
Civilians aided the firemen. Employees of the lumber plant manned three fire fighting boats whose turbines churned tons of water into the blaze. At one time the fire companies were pumping through 10 lines of hose.
Water Chief James H. Long and his assistant, Harry Hertline, reported that the hydrants offered plenty of water. The companies were pumping from 20-inch high pressure mains and used hydrants at Ferry avenue and on Kaighn avenue.
Intense heat kept firemen a half square mile from the raging flames. They slowly struggled through blinding and suffocating smoke and soot, but it was not until nearly two hours after it was discovered the firemen had managed to confine it to the lumber yard.
Woman Discovers It
The first alarm was at 3 p.m., sounded by Mrs. Anna Parker, whose husband is the proprietor of a cafe at 1208 South Front street, running into the street, screaming “Fire!”
E. H. Stewart, general secretary of the Atlantic division of the Y. M. C. A., across the street at Front and Atlantic avenue, sent in the first alarm to fire headquarters.
Stewart said the wind was blowing from the east at the time and this at first sent the flames away from the Reading Terminal and the Camden Terminal Storage Company building at Atlantic and Mechanic streets, were in danger.
But the wind suddenly shifted and then the south wind, coming from the river carried the flames toward a row of houses on Knight…
…on Knight street, between Front and Second.
These two-story houses were enveloped in flames in a few minutes. So fast did the fire travel that little was saved. One family was absent, but the four others fled for their lives.
Clowns Save Cripple
Several members of the Camden Clown Club, a veteran New Year shooters’ organization, ran to the home of James Shay, 1228 Knight street, and one of them, Albert George, carried Shay’s invalid stepdaughter, Alice Williams, 25, from the blazing house. The girl, an infantile paralysis victim, was sitting helpless in a wheel chair when the flames ignited the home.
With her mother, Mrs. Alice Shay, and stepbrother, William Shay, 14, she watched the flames crumble the home in which they had lived 20 years.
Other members of the clown club — Stanley Berthelot, Henry Small and James Rice — carried the furniture of William Haines, 1232 Knight street, to safety.
The rescued sisters, Mrs. Anna Parker and Mrs. Mary Numbers, reported their residence at 1210 South Front street, next to the Novack cafe.
Automobiles on a parking lot of Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Numbers on the south side of their home were damaged. Civilians and firemen were able to get six of them to safety after they had been partially buried. The others were buried as walls collapsed.
Crumbling walls endangered 30 firemen on the front street side. About that time a ladder against a Coles garage slipped and Fireman Frank Block, 25, of 426 Howe street, attached to Engine Company 7, was hit by the falling ladder. He suffered sprained ankles and was removed to Cooper Hospital.
Felix Bendzyn, of 126 Howe street, attached to Company No. 7, suffered burns of the face and hands and was taken to West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.
Dennis Block, 3, of 1123 South Second street, suffered burns of the right arm and left leg when he wandered too near the flames. He was taken to the West Jersey Hospital for treatment.
Cooper and West Jersey Hospitals sent ambulances there. The Red Cross nurses who treated several firemen for cuts, burns and minor injuries. One of the city ambulances was on duty.
Camden and Philadelphia Second Alarmers served food during the firemen and police.
Several charitable organizations, including the Red Cross, gave to those left without homes.
Trainman Faints in Fright
Fully 20 trainmen were asleep on the second floor of the Y. M. C. A. Building when the fire broke out. Stewart awakened them. C. E. Wells, one of the trainmen, collapsed when he was suddenly awakened to see the conflagration so near. He was revived by doctors from West Jersey Hospital ambulance.
Firemen were hampered by the explosion of gasoline tanks of automobiles trapped in the parking yard of Mrs. Parker and her sister.
A horse in the lumber company’s stable just north of the Novack place perished.
The fire was at the main entrance of the $3,000,000 Reading terminal, which for a while was in danger. It was impossible to get vehicles into the ferry house. All cars coming from Philadelphia were forced to park at the entrance until the flames were under control.
The railroad kept several locomotives standing by at the terminal to remove coaches if necessary. The company lost several hundred coaches in the 1913 fire.