River Avenue aka River Road, Cramer Hill, Camden, NJ
Page Contents
Introduction
By Phil Cohen
River Avenue, more popularly known as River Road, runs north from Federal Street to the city limits and, beyond, more or less all the way to Burlington. It became a Camden thoroughfare in 1899, when the town of Stockton, which consisted of all of present-day Camden north of the Cooper River, was united with the city. River Avenue, of course, is the main artery running through Cramer Hill, and was and still is the location of many stores and small businesses.
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Maps
Cramer Hill & East Camden, from a map published in 1914.
Cramer Hill & East Camden, from a map published in 2002.
Intersection of River Avenue & Railroad Tracks
Southwest Corner of River Avenue at the railroad tracks. In 1947, this was the R.M. Hollinghead Company (Loyd’s Division). Photo taken August 20, 2011.
Northwest Corner of River Avenue at the railroad tracks. In 1955, this was the Sinclair Refining Company. From the 1955 New Jersey Bell Telephone Yellow Pages.
Looking north on River Avenue from Federal Street. Photo taken August 6, 2011.
RiverLine train crossing River Avenue at Federal Street. Photo taken August 6, 2011.
RiverLine train crossing at River Avenue. Photo taken August 6, 2011.
1400 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
City directory records, 1947–2011.
1435 River Avenue
1435 River Avenue — 1400 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1955
Sinclair Refining Company
1955
New Jersey Bell Telephone
1960s–1980s
Federal Oil Company
1435-A River Avenue
1435-A River Avenue — 1400 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
2011
Mi Tierra Dominicana (shipping)
1435-B River Avenue
1435-B River Avenue — 1400 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
2011
Green Cab Company
1490 River Avenue
1490 River Avenue — 1400 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1955
Marty's Auto Parts
1955
New Jersey Bell Telephone
1400 Block of River Avenue — Photos
1435-A River Avenue — Mi Tierra Dominicana (shipping), 2011. Photo taken August 20, 2011.
1435-B River Avenue — Green Cab Company, 2011. Photo taken August 20, 2011.
1799 River Avenue — 1700 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1946–1947
Baker's Atlantic Station — Tom Baker
1946
Ablett Village Newsletter Ad
2011
Larry's Professional Service Center
1787 River Avenue — The Chateau
1787 River Avenue — The Chateau, a bar open from the 1960s to 2011. Photo taken August 20, 2011.
1799 River Avenue — Baker's Atlantic Station / Larry's Service Center
1799 River Avenue — Baker’s Atlantic Station (Tom Baker), 1946–1947. From the 1946 Ablett Village Newsletter.
1799 River Avenue — Larry’s Professional Service Center, 2011. Photos taken August 20, 2011.
1800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
City directory records, 1909–2011.
1809 River Avenue
1809 River Avenue — 1800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1909
Benjamin Derndinger & Family — Benjamin & Martha Derndinger, Stephen Derndinger, Edward Derndinger, Emma Derndinger
1909
Benjamiin & Martha Derndinger
1909
Stephen Derndinger
1909
Edward Derndinger
1909
Emma Derndinger
1935
Walter Conine
1947
No information available
1810 River Avenue
1810 River Avenue — 1800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
2000s–2011
Patrick D. Kelly Drums, Inc.
1811 River Avenue
1811 River Avenue — 1800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
No information available
1813 River Avenue
1813 River Avenue — 1800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1958
Edward J. Rowan
1823 River Avenue
1823 River Avenue — 1800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
No information available
1825 River Avenue
1825 River Avenue — 1800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
No information available
1890 River Avenue
1890 River Avenue — 1800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
No information available
1892 River Avenue
1892 River Avenue — 1800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1932
Mary Peard
1894 River Avenue
1894 River Avenue — 1800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
No information available
1896 River Avenue
1896 River Avenue — 1800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1919–1920
Harry Johnson & Family
1919–1920
Harry & Barbara P. Johnson
1919–1920
Joseph Johnson
1919–1920
Harold Johnson
1919–1920
George Johnson
1919–1920
William Johnson
1919–1920
Barbara Johnson
1920–1949
Ernest J. Powell & Family — Ernest J. & Alice J. Hamill Powell, Alice Powell (died 1921), Edmund Powell, Howard Powell, William Powell, Dorothy Powell, Eleanor Powell
1898 River Avenue — 1800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1918–1931
George Huder & Family — George & Bertha Schmidt Huder, Walter Huder, George Huder Jr., Katherine Schmidt (saloon)
1918–1931
George & Bertha Schmidt Huder
1918–1931
Walter Huder
1918–1931
George Huder Jr
1918–1931
Katherine Schmidt
1939–1959
Ben's Cafe / Bennie Niewinski's Friendly Tavern / Niewinski's Cafe — Benjamin C. Niewinski
1946
Ablett Village Newsletter Ad
1964–1966
Walt's Place
1970–1984
Gretta's Inc.
2000
Sunshine Lounge
Cramer Hill Stores Praised by Officials
Camden Courier-Post —
Importance of neighborhood business was stressed last night at an open air meeting sponsored by the Cramer Hill Businessmen’s association, at Veterans Park, Twenty-sixth street and Hayes avenue. Businessmen of the section were praised in brief talks by Mayor Frederick von Nieda, Mayor Joseph H. Van Meter, Collingswood, and Joshua C. Haines, recorder of deeds.
Officers of the association are Frederick Wolf, president; Charles Till, vice president; Richard Liebert, secretary and George Stiefel, treasurer. Trustees are: Edward Wenner, Joseph Till and Sylvester Onesty.
1898 River Avenue — Niewinski's Cafe
1898 River Avenue — Ben’s Cafe / Niewinski’s Cafe (Benjamin C. Niewinski), 1939–1959. From the 1946 Ablett Village Newsletter.
2208 River Avenue — 2200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2209 River Avenue
2209 River Avenue — 2200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2210 River Avenue
2210 River Avenue — 2200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2212 River Avenue
2212 River Avenue — 2200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2213 River Avenue
2213 River Avenue — 2200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2214 River Avenue
2214 River Avenue — 2200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2215 River Avenue
2215 River Avenue — 2200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1946–1947
Diamond's Tailoring (Irving Diamond)
1946
Ablett Village Newsletter Ad
2216 River Avenue
2216 River Avenue — 2200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2217 River Avenue
2217 River Avenue — 2200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2218 River Avenue
2218 River Avenue — 2200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2219 River Avenue
2219 River Avenue — 2200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2220 River Avenue
2220 River Avenue — 2200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1933
Joseph Werner, Quaker Stores grocery
1947
Lewis A. Goldman (grocery)
2221 River Avenue
2221 River Avenue — 2200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2223 River Avenue
2223 River Avenue — 2200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1942–1970
Warren H. Rich & Family
1942–1970
Warren Rich Jr.
1942–1970
Vera Rich Sweeney
1942–1970
Florence Rich Graham
2225 River Avenue
2225 River Avenue — 2200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2200 Block — Photos
2203 River Avenue. In the late 1950s–1960s this was Edward H. Gaven Real Estate; in 1996, Remesas America Oriental Inc.; in 2014, Jose’s Upholstery (Jose Diaz). Photo courtesy of Bruce Jay Smith.
2210 and 2212 River Avenue. Photos taken March 15, 2012.
2300 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
City directory and other records.
2300 River Avenue
2300 River Avenue — 2300 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2301 River Avenue
2301 River Avenue — 2300 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1924–1950s
Fairview Methodist Church
2011
Iglesia Pentacosta Lapena De Horeb A & O
2302 River Avenue
2302 River Avenue — 2300 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2304 River Avenue
2304 River Avenue — 2300 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2306 River Avenue
2306 River Avenue — 2300 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
2522 River Avenue — 2500 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2500 Block — Photos
2500 River Avenue. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
2510 River Avenue. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
2510 & 2512 River Avenue. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
2512 River Avenue. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
2600 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
City directory and other records.
2609 River Avenue
2609 River Avenue — 2600 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2610 River Avenue
2610 River Avenue — 2600 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2612 River Avenue
2612 River Avenue — 2600 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2614 River Avenue
2614 River Avenue — 2600 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2616 River Avenue
2616 River Avenue — 2600 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2618 River Avenue
2618 River Avenue — 2600 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2695 River Avenue
2695 River Avenue — 2600 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2699 River Avenue
2699 River Avenue — 2600 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
Intersection of River Avenue & North 27th Street / Cambridge Avenue
Northwest Corner of River Avenue & North 27th Street, as seen from the Southeast Corner of Cambridge Avenue and River Avenue. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
Northeast Corner of River Avenue & North 27th Street, as seen from the Southwest Corner of River Avenue & Cambridge Avenue. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
Northeast Corner of River Avenue & North 27th Street, as seen from the Southwest Corner of North 27th Street & River Avenue. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
Southeast Corner of River Avenue & Cambridge Avenue, as seen from the Northwest Corner of North 27th Street & River Avenue. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
Southeast and Southwest Corners of River Avenue & Cambridge Avenue, as seen from the Northeast Corner of North 27th Street & River Avenue. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
Southwest Corner of River Avenue & Cambridge Avenue, as seen from the Northeast Corner of North 27th Street & River Avenue. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
Southwest Corner of North 27th Street & River Avenue, as seen from the Northeast Corner of North 27th Street & River Avenue. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
Southwest Corner of River Avenue & North 27th Street, as seen from the Northeast Corner. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
2711–2715 River Avenue — The Rio Theater
The Rio Theater, 2711–2715 River Avenue (aka 2713 River Avenue), 1930s–1960s.
The Rio Theater was originally called The Auditorium, and was opened by one of the first entrepreneurs to go into the movie theater business. He later sold the property to Samuel Varbalow’s Savar theater chain. The theater was later renamed the Rio. The Rio closed its doors in the 1960s, and became the home through the late 1970s of the Cramer Hill Boys Club. The former theater has for many years been the Faith Holy Temple Church of God in Christ.
2712 River Avenue, near the former Rio Theater site. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
2712 & 2714 River Avenue. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
2700 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
City directory and other records.
2711–2715 River Avenue (aka 2713)
2711–2715 River Avenue (aka 2713) — 2700 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1930s–1960s
Rio Theater (originally The Auditorium)
2712 River Avenue
2712 River Avenue — 2700 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2714 River Avenue
2714 River Avenue — 2700 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2717 River Avenue
2717 River Avenue — 2700 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
2742 River Avenue — 2700 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2742–2744 River Avenue
2742–2744 River Avenue — 2700 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2744 River Avenue
2744 River Avenue — 2700 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1916–1924
Johnson Thomas Morrow & Family (printer)
1916–1924
Johnson T. & Mamie O. Morrow
1916–1924
Johnson W. Morrow
1916–1924
Marie Morrow
1916–1924
Howard Morrow
1916–1924
Thelma Morrow
1916–1924
Raymond Morrow
1926–1929
Clarence J. Danenhower
1940
John L. Dale
1943–1947
Franklin Moorhouse
1970s
The Spataro Family
2700 Block — Photos
2718 River Avenue. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
2728 River Avenue — home of the Johnson Thomas Morrow family, 1926–1947. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
2733 River Avenue. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
2742 & 2744 River Avenue. Photo taken August 22, 2011.
The Spataro family at 2744 River Avenue in the 1970s.
2744 River Avenue — Felix Spataro
My name is Felix Spataro I am third from the youngest. We lived at 2744 River Rd. in Cramer Hill. I even remember my phone number Em5-6718. I was too young to know Teddy Frett though I think I may have seen him once or twice if memory serves me he played for Temple University on the baseball team we were all very proud of him. But I remember his younger brother Freddy Frett. He was also a standup human being, Born in 1956 I am now 63 years old they were the best memories especially Dutchies to for a nickel. I remember Mr. Radcliffe was the coach for the Orioles, and his son Puttie. I played for the Cardinals with Mike Mayor as our pitcher. I’m sure Teddy would remember him. Anyway thanks for the memories.
Intersection of River Avenue & North 28th Street — Beideman School
Northwest Corner of River Avenue & North 28th Street — Benjamin C. Beideman School, aka Abraham Lincoln School. Built around 1865, closed June 1935, demolished 1936.
Southeast Corner of River Avenue & North 28th Street. Photo taken August 20, 2011.
2800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
City directory and other records.
2801 River Avenue
2801 River Avenue — 2800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2818 River Avenue
2818 River Avenue — 2800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
2819 River Avenue — 2800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1922
Stroud's Garage (John C. Stroud & Family)
—
John C. & Anna Stroud
2821 River Avenue
2821 River Avenue — 2800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2825 River Avenue
2825 River Avenue — 2800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1910s–1930s
Samuel Wharton & Family
1910s–early 1930s
Samuel & Anna Wharton
1910s–early 1930s
Herbert Wharton
2844 River Avenue
2844 River Avenue — 2800 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
2818 River Avenue — St. Anthony of Padua Church
2818 River Avenue — the Eleventh Ward Republican Club, 1917. From the Philadelphia Inquirer, March 17, 1917.
2818 River Avenue — Community Center, 1941. From the Camden Courier-Post, July 26, 1941.
2818 River Avenue — St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, 1945–present. The parish was established on August 27, 1945 and used a building that had been built prior to America’s entrance into World War I. The present church was dedicated on December 20, 1959.
2900 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
City directory and other records.
2953 River Avenue
2953 River Avenue — 2900 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
No listing
1964
James R. Maycott & Sons (heating & air conditioning)
2956 River Avenue
2956 River Avenue — 2900 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
2011
J & H Volkswagon & Toyota
2966 River Avenue
2966 River Avenue — 2900 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
3129 River Avenue — 3100 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
3150 River Avenue
3150 River Avenue — 3100 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
1950s–1960s
Lucy Beauty Shop
1950s–1960s
Joseph & Lucy Pellegrino
1952–1984
Joseph Pellegrino Family
3151–3153 River Avenue
3151–3153 River Avenue — 3100 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1927–1955
Universal Motor Service (Franklin C.T. Willard)
1955
New Jersey Bell Telephone
3153 River Avenue
3153 River Avenue — 3100 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1955
Universal Motor Service
3175 River Avenue
3175 River Avenue — 3100 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
3195 River Avenue
3195 River Avenue — 3100 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
3100 Block — Anchor Bar / Bakeshop Bakery
3125–3127 River Avenue — Anchor Bar & Liquor Store (Benjamin Friedman, Martin Zonies), 1947–1955. From the 1955 New Jersey Bell Telephone Yellow Pages.
3151–3153 River Avenue — Universal Motor Service (Franklin C.T. Willard), 1927–1955. From the 1955 New Jersey Bell Telephone Yellow Pages.
3150 River Avenue — The Pellegrino Family
The Pellegrino’s… My mother owned a Beauty Salon at 3216 River Road, where the shooting began. We lived down the street at 3150 for 30 or more years, they bought our home in 1952. We also owned the shop next door and was once Pie-zon Pizza… also owned by my parents and ran by my brother and I. That location is now Izzarry Insurance and has been for the last 30 years now. Both my brothers were Woodrow Wilson grads and both served in the US Army. After my brothers and I left Camden, my parents sold their business and home around 1984.
Intersection of River Avenue & North 32nd Street
Northeast Corner of North 32nd Street & River Avenue. October 18, 2011.
Southeast Corner of North 32nd Street & River Avenue. October 18, 2011.
Southwest Corner of North 32nd Street & River Avenue. October 18, 2011.
Northwest Corner of North 32nd Street & River Avenue. October 18, 2011.
3200 Block of River Avenue — September 6, 1949
On September 6, 1949, Howard Unruh, a veteran of World War II who had developed schizophrenia but had not been diagnosed or treated, killed thirteen people and wounded two others in the 3200 block of River Avenue.
3200–3202, 3204, 3206, 3214, 3216, 3252 & 3268 River Avenue — September 6, 1949.
3200–3202 & 3204 River Avenue — November 30, 1961. Photos by Bob Bartosz.
3200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
City directory and other records.
3200–3202 River Avenue
3200–3202 River Avenue — 3200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947–1949
River Road Pharmacy (Maurice Cohen & Family)
3201 River Avenue
3201 River Avenue — 3200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
American Stores (grocery)
1947
American Stores
3202 River Avenue
3202 River Avenue — 3200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
3252 River Avenue — 3200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1929
Progressive Weaving Company
3255 River Avenue
3255 River Avenue — 3200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
3257 River Avenue
3257 River Avenue — 3200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1914
John McBurney
1924–1949
Harry C. Soistman Sr. & Family
1924–1949
Harry C. & Annie Soistman
1924–1949
Benjamin H. Soistman
1924–1949
Harry C. Soistman Jr.
1924–1949
Mabel Soistman
3265 River Avenue
3265 River Avenue — 3200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
3268 River Avenue
3268 River Avenue — 3200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
3269 River Avenue
3269 River Avenue — 3200 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
(listing)
3209–3211 River Avenue — Engel's Cafe
George E. Hoover with his daughter Elaine in the rear of the bar at 3209 River Avenue, 1940–1943.
3209–3211 River Avenue was home to Engel’s Cafe (Frank Engel; Francis X. “Frank” Engel Sr. & Family; L. G. “George” Engel Sr. & Family) from the mid-1940s to 1982. It later became the Silver Dollar Saloon (Billy & Marge Eckel, 1983–2001).
3209–3211 River Avenue — Rumba Renque Lounge
Rumba Renque Lounge, 3209–3211 River Avenue, 2008–2009. After the shooting of Luis Garcia on February 22, 2009, the bar’s liquor license was revoked. The owners’ last appeal was denied in August 2011. Photo taken August 23, 2011.
Rumba Renque Lounge, 3209–3211 River Avenue.
3200 Block — Photos
3216 River Avenue — Lucy’s Beauty Salon, 1960s–1970s. From the 1970 New Jersey Bell Telephone Yellow Pages.
3268 River Avenue. Photos taken August 20, 2011.
3300 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
City directory and other records.
3300 River Avenue
3300 River Avenue — 3300 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
3517 River Avenue — 3500 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1890s–1912
Benjamin C. Beideman & Family
1890s–1912
Benjamin & Ruth Anna Stow Beideman
1890s–1912
Richard C. Beideman
1890s–1912
Sarah Beideman
1890s–1912
Isaac W. Beideman
1890s–1912
Benjamin M. Beideman
1890s–1912
Mary S. Beideman
3520 River Avenue
3520 River Avenue — 3500 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1907
Thomas Beideman
3525–3527 River Avenue
3525–3527 River Avenue — 3500 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947–1958
Donato's River Drive Restaurant (Mrs. Jean Donato)
1947–1964
Dominic Donato & Family
1964–1994
William F. Housewright & Family
3527 River Avenue
3527 River Avenue — 3500 Block of River Avenue — Occupants
Year
↕
Name
↕
1947
William R. Hollinger & Family
1947
William R. & Thyra Hollinger
3525–3527 River Avenue — Donato's River Drive Restaurant
Donato’s River Drive Restaurant, 3525–3527 River Avenue (Mrs. Jean Donato), 1947–1958.
Dominic Donato with his five grandchildren at 3525–3527 River Avenue, circa 1958.
3525 River Avenue — home of William F. Housewright & Family, 1964–1994.
3525 River Avenue — JoAnne Housewright Johnson
The house was a restaurant way back in the day, then converted to apartments which my parents rented one when I was born in ’64. The Donatos moved to Merchantville offering to rent them the downstairs, in turn my mom would collect rent from the other boarders and upkeep the outside. When the elder Donatos passed on my parents bought the house from their son Vince in the mid ’70s. It was unfortunate they didn’t have money to upkeep the exterior. I loved growing up in that house. Many many many great memories with family and friends! My mom is Edith Housewright, she worked at Sharp School from 1978 until 2002 retiring as head of the lunch program.
The Donatos also owned The Reading Hotel in Wildwood until around 1970. My mom was a cleaning lady on weekends in turn for free room. Unfortunately I have vague memories of that place. There are a few pictures of me on the front steps though!
3525 River Avenue — Peter Donato
Here is a photo of my grandmother, Jean Donato’s, restaurant from the ’40s at 36th & River Ave. You can barely make out the sign that says: Donato’s / River Drive / Restaurant / Italian Spaghetti … Platters.
This second photo is from the porch of the same house probably early 1958. That’s my grandfather Dominic Donato with his five grandchildren. From the left, Bethann Born, Johnny Born (red shirt), and Stephen Donato. Being held by grandpop: Peter Donato (me), and Susan Donato.
