Rand Street is in East Camden, and runs parallel to Marlton Avenue and the Admiral Wilson Boulevard, from Watson Street across Westminster Avenue, Baird Boulevard and Thorndyke Street to the city limits, between Boyd and Pfeiffer Streets, and continues for a short distance into Pennsauken.
Rand Street dates back prior to 1899, when Stockton Township was joined to Camden. The street was originally called George Street, but by 1906 had been renamed Rand Street. As late as 1924 there were no homes standing on Rand Street. Around 1927 twenty houses were built by the firm of Markeim, Coles, and MacEwan in the 200 and 300 block of Rand Street. By the time the 1929 City Directory had been compiled 18 homes had been built and occupied. Thirteen other homes were occupied east of Baird Boulevard, in the 400 block. Many more houses on Rand Street were built by 1947, including a number of duplexes. Construction was still going on for a time thereafter, as another series of duplexes were built in the 500 and 600 blocks.
In 1954 the Peter J. McGuire Gardens public housing project was built on the land between Watson Street and Westminster Avenue. By the 1980s the project had become a notorious haven for drug dealing and other criminal activity. This soon spread along Rand Street all the way across Thorndyke Street. Although McGuire Gardens was literally razed and rebuilt beginning in the late 1990s, the area remains a hotbed of criminality and has been the site of several murders, the last two taking place in June and July of 2007.
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Intersection of Rand Street & Watson Street
Intersection of Rand Street & Watson Street, February 26, 2009.
300 Block of Rand Street Under Construction
Camden Courier-Post —
300 Block of Rand Street. Twenty houses at Rand Street west of Baird Boulevard, owned, designed and built by Markeim, Coles, MacEwan, Inc.
Comfort Throughout the Year—Safety Through All the Years—With Straub Blocks
In uncertain weather, despite a flighty mercury or rain every few days, you can easily maintain a regular temperature in your Straub Block house.
The insulative cinder content of the block prevents passage of heat from your rooms and assures dampproofing and exclusion of noise. Straub Block houses have been proven warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
This insulation that gives comfort throughout each season of the year is also responsible for the high fire-safety of Straub Blocks. This material, while intensely hot on its exposed surface, will withstand sudden and repeated application of cold water without cracking or weakening of the wall.
The fire-safety and the rugged, permanent strength of Straub Blocks reduce upkeep. This saving together—with the low construction cost—maintains the indisputable economy of Straub Patented Building Blocks.
Concrete Specialties Co., Mt. Ephraim Avenue, Camden, N. J.
200 Block of Rand Street
Heating, Plumbing, Roofing
ROOFING — Heating, painting, wiring, papering. 2 years to pay. Watson. 293 Rand St., Camden. Bell 3684. — Camden Courier-Post, June 7, 1932
2 Women Win Divorces On Desertion Charges
Uncontested desertion charges won preliminary divorce decrees for two women in Chancery Court today from Advisory Master Linwood W. Erickson.
Mrs. Emma McLimans, of 294 Rand street, said her husband, Jesse, left home in November, 1928, and that she did not know his present whereabouts. They were married July 29, 1922.
Mrs. Lulora S. Murray, of Brooklawn, said her husband, George, deserted her in January, 1929, after they had been married four years. She also accused him of misconduct with a women she identified as Mary Kistvoski, and said Murray was now living with her in Delair at 1128 Union avenue. — Camden Courier-Post, February 24, 1938
Gertrude and Harry Bass lived at 299 Rand Street. We’re not sure of the years, but they probably lived there from the 1930’s to 1960. Harry was a clothing cutter. They had 2 children, Albert Bass (future coach and Dean of Students at Woodrow Wilson High School) and Edith Bass Mackler (married to Edward Mackler). Harry died in 1967; Gertrude died in 1980. Al Bass died in 2008; Edith Bass Mackler died in 2006.
Ilene Mackler, December 13, 2010
300 Block of Rand Street
305 Rand Street — Employment
10 Help Wanted—Female
HOUSEWORK—General, sleep in, references. Apply 305 Rand St, Camden. Phone 1729-W. — Camden Courier-Post, February 17, 1938
Isadore Waronker; 1936 Mrs. R. Rosenfeld; 1939–1960s Edward Rosenfeld, accountant
310 Rand Street
310 Rand Street — 300 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1929
No information available
1947
No information available
372 Rand Street
372 Rand Street — 300 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
Dr. Leopold S. David, physician; 1980s The Martin Family
374 Rand Street
374 Rand Street — 300 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1940s–1970s
Morris Novack Family
1940s–1970s
Morris & Pearl Novack
1940s–1970s
Roslynne Novack
375 Rand Street
375 Rand Street — 300 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1978–1997
Alexander Wildes & Family
396 Rand Street
396 Rand Street — 300 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
Bandits Take Car, Use It in Holdup
Camden Courier-Post —
Steal Merchant’s Auto and Cash, Get Only Tin Box From Bus Driver
Three masked men, one with a nickel-plated revolver, held up Edward Rosenfeld, wholesale grocer, as he was backing his car into the garage in the rear of his home, 308 Rand street, last night. They took $12 from his pockets, forced him out of his new machine and drove it away.
Rosenfeld told police the bandits had handkerchief-type masks, but appeared youthful, of medium height.
A short time before two men similarly masked, one also brandishing a nickel-plated revolver, approached Sidney Bauman, of 272 Boyd street, a block distant from the Rosenfeld house as he was putting his car into his garage.
“They told me it was a stickup,” Bauman reported to police, “but I gave them an argument and they turned away and beat it. One was wearing a cap and one a hat. It was hard to get an accurate description in the dark, but they seemed youngish and about five feet five or six.”
At 1:00 AM today a car answering the description of the one stolen from Rosenfeld was used by masked men who held up Edward Heaton, 824 Woodland Avenue, a bus driver, as he was turning in his receipts at the Newton avenue car barn of Public Service.
There were four men in the machine, Heaton told police. Two jumped out, each handkerchief masked and with a revolver, and stood on either side of him. He was carrying a tin box, in which were his change carrier and other articles, but no money. He had placed the receipts in his pockets. The men grabbed the tin box and jumped back into the car, which sped away.
At about the same time two masked men, one with a gun, entered a taproom at 673 Ferry Avenue. Philip Knast, the proprietor, was behind the counter and there were four customers in the place. The masked men moved quickly toward Knast and told him “This is a stick-up.”
He dodged behind the bar and escaped into a room in the rear. One of the bandits then went behind the bar and rifled the cash register, getting between $5 and $6, Knast told police. They fled, apparently on foot.
375 Rand Street
The picture is of my dad, brother Brody and myself sitting in the yard about 1978. Also, my daddy and granddad owned an auto detailing shop across the street from Buddy’s Auto Body on Mt. Ephraim Avenue (about the 1100 block). I don’t remember the name of it, but they sold one half to Jim, and the other half to Mr. Tee — who is still there to this day (Tee’s tires).
Monica M. Wildes, MHS — June 2011
My daddy, Alexander Wildes of Patti and the Emblems, purchased our home at 375 Rand Street around 1977 or 1978. We lived there until 1995. My most memorable moment, and probably the saddest occasion, was when two little boys who lived across the street (about 480’s) were playing with matches in an abandoned van that was parked in the lot adjacent to 372. The Martin family lived there at the time. The van caught on fire and the oldest brother was able to get out, however the youngest brother — he had to be less than 5 years old — was trapped under a seat and EVERYONE watched and listened in absolute horror as he succumbed to the fire. His brother did everything he could to try to get him out, but it didn’t work. This had to take place in the very early 80’s and made the news on Channel 6.
Monica M. Wildes, MHS — June 2011
400 Block of Rand Street
Man Hurt in Car-Bus Crash
MAN HURT IN CAR-BUS CRASH
When a bus and automobile collided headon at 9 p. m., Saturday, at Eighth street and Kaighn avenue, George W. Garner, 30, a city fireman, of 410 Rand street, driver of the automobile, suffered a fractured left arm and cuts about the face. The bus was driven by J. S. Harrison, 43, of 311 Northy Thirty-eighth street. Garner was treated at West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.
Notice of Application
Take notice that The East Camden Liquor Company, trading as Federal Liquor Company has applied to the Municipal Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control of Camden for a Plenary Retail Distribution License for premises situated at 2320 Federal Street, Camden N. J.
The names and addresses of the stockholders, officers and directors of the applicant corporation are: Vera Tacknoff, 415 Rand Street, Camden N. J., President-Treasurer. Sylvia Barenbaum, 4728 Whitaker Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa., Secretary. Isadore Barenbaum, 4728 Whitaker Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa.
Objections, if any, should be made immediately in writing to John T. Odorisio, City Clerk of Camden.
(Signed) The East Camden Liquor Co., Vera Tacknoff, President. 415 Rand Street, Camden, N. J. — Camden Courier-Post, June 20, 1959
Morgan
On Sept. 6, 1967, Isiah (Ike) husband of the late Garnetta Morgan (nee Garraway) of 425 Rand St., Camden, N.J. Due notice of the funeral will be given by the Eichel Funeral Home, 8323 Maple Ave. (Colwick) Pennsauken, N.J. — Camden Courier-Post, September 7, 1967
Edwin Hampton; 1947–1956 Ivan Morris; 1963–1967 Isaiah 'Ike' Morgan & Family; Isaiah & Garnetta Mae Garraway Morgan
426 Rand Street
426 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1929
No information available
427 Rand Street
427 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
Dr. Saul Artis, dentist; 1947 Nathan Blank
428 Rand Street
428 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1929
No information available
1947
No information available
430 Rand Street
430 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1929
Vacant; 1936 Walter J. Brown; 1947 No Listing
432 Rand Street
432 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1929
No information available
1947
No information available
434 Rand Street
434 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1929
No information available
1947
No information available
436 Rand Street
436 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1929
No information available
1947
No information available
438 Rand Street
438 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
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Name
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—
1929; 1947–1960s Hyman & Adele Leon
442 Rand Street
442 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
444 Rand Street
444 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
445 Rand Street
445 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1944–1949
Louis Goldberg & Family; Shirley Goldberg; Jay Goldberg; 1947; 1969
1944–1949
Shirley Goldberg
1944–1949
Jay Goldberg
447 Rand Street
447 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
449 Rand Street
449 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
451 Rand Street
451 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
453 Rand Street
453 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
455 Rand Street
455 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
464 Rand Street
464 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
466 Rand Street
466 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
468 Rand Street
468 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
470 Rand Street
470 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
475 Rand Street
475 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
478 Rand Street
478 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1929
Walter A. Dietrich; 1947 James Corrigan
486 Rand Street
486 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
487 Rand Street
487 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1955
Damen's Private Business School
488 Rand Street
488 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
489 Rand Street
489 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
490 Rand Street
490 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
491 Rand Street
491 Rand Street — 400 Block of Rand Street
Year
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Name
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1947
No information available
Clerk Uses Fists to Rout Bandits
Camden Courier-Post —
Victim Continues Fight Despite Blow on Head From Pistol
Two armed bandits and an accomplice took on a tough job last night when they attempted to hold up Walter J. Brown, 38, of 430 Rand Street.
Brown, a sturdy clerk employed by the T&B Tobacco Company, of Kaighn Avenue near Broadway, slugged one of the holdup men, suffered a gash when slugged by a second, and caused the three thugs to retreat.
In a report to detectives, Brown said he drove his automobile into the garage at the rear of his home and was about to close the doors when he was confronted by a masked man who ordered him to “stick ‘em up.”
Instead, Brown let both fists fly. Thereupon, a second thug appeared and struck Brown with a pistol.
He battled with the pair with his fists and observed a third man appear from behind the garage. So furious was Brown’s attack that the three bandits took to their heels running in the direction of Baird Boulevard.
After summoning Detectives John Trout and John Kaighn, Brown received treatment from a nearby physician.
He described the masked man as five feet six inches in height, weighing about 150 pounds. He wore a tan overcoat, Brown said. The second bandit who wielded the pistol was described as five feet eight inches tall, weighing 140 pounds and wearing a gray overcoat. Brown was unable to give a description of the third man.
445 Rand Street
My family moved to 237 Morse Street from Philadelphia in the year 1936. My older sister Shirley and I went through the Camden school system. Dudley School, Cramer Elementary and Junior High and then to high school, Shirley going to Woodrow Wilson and I going to Camden High. I graduated in 1952. My father Louis worked for his brother Charlie at Camden Storage Battery Company on Haddon Avenue. Moved from Morse Street to 445 Rand Street in 1944 and then to Boyd Street in 1949. Camden was a wonderful city to grow up in.
Jay Goldberg, April 2011
487 Rand Street
New Jersey Bell Yellow Pages — 1955
Damens’ Private Business School — “Learn Easily & Quickly”
Shorthand — Typing — Mathematics — Bookkeeping — English — Comptometry. Classes Evenings & Saturdays. School Located at 210 N 6th Camden. 487 Rand Camden…… EMerson 5-4037.
