Span of a Century: 1880s

The rate of fare on all ferry boats between Camden and Philadelphia was reduced to three cents, and nine tickets for twenty-five cents.

The Bethany Methodist Episcopal Church, an outgrowth of the Third Street Mission, was formed on January 9, 1881.

Peter Postels served as Camden County Freeholder from Camden’s 8th Ward in 1882 and 1883. An early Black political leader in Camden, he had served with Company M, 2nd Regiment, Colored Volunteers U.S. Cavalry during the Civil War.

The Union Methodist Episcopal Church dedicated their new church building, which had been begun in August of 1881, in the month of May 1883, at Fifth and Mount Vernon Street at Newton Avenue.

Earthquake shock in Camden on August 10, 1884 did considerable damage.

The Camden National Bank opened at 259 Kaighn Avenue on August 13, 1885. Zophar C. Howell was the first President. The brick bank building at 2nd and Kaighn Avenue was opened in July of 1887. The bank removed to its new building at Broadway and Sycamore Street in 1906. This bank merged with the First Camden National Bank and Trust Company on July 1, 1927.

The Raymond Academy on Penn Street below 5th was dedicated on November 26, 1886. The building was later occupied by the Carteret Club, which formerly had been known as the Camden Wheelmen.

The committee of City Council reported adversely upon the proposition to light the city by electricity in May of 1887.

A great blizzard visited Camden on March 11, 1888. The snowfall was 10½ inches, and the temperature registered 8 degrees. The velocity of the wind reached 60 miles an hour.

Mrs. Annie Leconey Miller was murdered on September 9, 1889. Her uncle, Chalkley Leconey, was tried in February of 1890 for the murder, and was acquitted on March 4th. This case attracted a great deal of attention in all parts of New Jersey. Francis Lingo was subsequently charged with the crime, and he, too, in turn was acquitted.