Nelson Street

Nelson Street, which also was known as Nelson Court, ran one block from Boyer Street south to 131 Kaighn Avenue, between Front and South Second Streets. The street does not appear in the 1885 Sanborn Map of Camden. It does appear in the 1891 Sanborn Map, but at that time was known as Knight Street, with a few houses in place. By 1906 the 1100 Block of Knight Street had been renamed. It appears in the 1906 Sanborn Map as Nelson Court.

A few homes remained on Nelson Street as late as 1961. In February of that year, Nelson Street was “erased” as part of a redevelopment plan. The Kaplan & Zubrin pickle factory erected a new building on what was Nelson Court.

Related: James O'Neil — 1131 Nelson Street, 1928.

Related: 1133 Nelson Street — John Block memory, May 2009.

Related: 6 Camden Area Men Promoted at Camp — 1137 Nelson Street, 1955.

Related: Girl, 7, Killed by Truck — 1138 Nelson Street, 1947.

In the 1100 block of Nelson Street, Number 1133 was occupied by the Austin Burke. Austin Burke’s father-in-law, George Bacon, lived at 1131.

There were about five garages behind the houses on Nelson Street. (1131 to 1137). Access to the garages was past the driveway adjacent to 1131. Grandpop Bacon and wife at 1131 had a huge fence and gate controlling access to garages. We used to climb the fence and play on the garage roofs much to the dismay of Grandmom and Pop Bacon. It was a status symbol to be able to climb to the roof then jump off to the ground below without injury. Little guys like I had to “hang and drop,” thus never quite making the grade…

Burkie” (no one called him “Austin”) and wife Minerva had at least 3 children, Betty, Myles (in So. Jersey), and Patricia. Burkie was a notable no windmill fast-pitch softball pitcher of the 40’s–50’s. I believe he played for Camden Cold Storage, Kroeker’s Café, and possibly the Camden Coke Plant. The games were played on a big lot at Front and Chestnut, out front of the Coke Plant.