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Camden, N.J.

Camden's roots date back to the 17th century, but its heyday wasn't reached until long after the city was founded in 1828. Camden was the home of tens of thousands of blue collar jobs at New York Shipbuilding Co., RCA Corp. and other employers in the post-World War II era.

That was the city's boom time, similar to Gary in Northwest Indiana, and it was able to develop and reach a population near 120,000 as a result of the opportunities in the city.

One Fortune 500 company, the Campbell Soup Co., still calls Camden home and its educational and medical institutions remain among the largest employers in the city.

But the loss of wealth, job opportunities, and cheap land in the suburbs all contributed to the Camden's economic decline. The city has lost about a third of its population from the peak.

A 1.41-mile bridge spans the Delaware River and connects Camden and Philadelphia. The vexing question has been how Camden can tap into the economic engine of Philadelphia since it is about 20 times larger, but next door neighbor.

The city also has to deal with crime issues and how to bring improved development opportunities in beleaguered neighborhoods.

Videos

Nadeem's Addiction

Jonathan Miano

Nadeem Sarwar, 24, is a drug addict who spends much of his time on the streets of Camden, N.J., feeding his…

Dominic's shoe repair

Dominic's shoe repair

Dominic Petulla owns and runs Gold Star Shoe Repair and Hat Cleaning in Camden, N.J. He star…

Bolo's Gym

Jose "Bolo" Gonzalez turned his north Camden, N.J. living room in into a gym and keeps his …

Photo Galleries

Rust Belt Resurgence: Camden, N.J. photos

Public safety administration in Camden, N.J. questioned as crime embattles cops, residents

Public safety administration in Camden, N.J. questioned as crime embattles cops, residents

By Bowdeya Tweh bowdeya.tweh@nwi.com, (219) 933-3316

CAMDEN, N.J. | Jan. 18, 2011. John Williamson said he can point to that day as a one of several reasons why the Camden, N.J. is continuing to …

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Residents commitment to city strong

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Residents commitment to city strong

By Bowdeya Tweh bowdeya.tweh@nwi.com, (219) 933-3316

Editor's note: The following vignettes on people in Camden, N.J., tell about what life is like in the city. To learn more about some of the su…

Rust Belt Resurgence: Camden, N.J. photos

Rust Belt Resurgence: Camden, N.J. photos

View photos of Camden, N.J., shot by Times staff photographer, Jonathan Miano.

August 05, 2012 12:00 am

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Institutions reviving city from life support

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Institutions reviving city from life support

By Bowdeya Tweh bowdeya.tweh@nwi.com, (219) 933-3316

CAMDEN, N.J. | Nearly three decades ago, the city's waterfront land largely was an amalgamation of old industrial buildings and sites with env…

Camden N.J. trying to shed struggling image amid structural challenges

Camden N.J. trying to shed struggling image amid structural challenges

By Bowdeya Tweh bowdeya.tweh@nwi.com, (219) 933-3316

CAMDEN, N.J. | While sitting on the stairs outside her two-story row house, Kathy Soto puts her friend's baby in her lap as if the baby were her own.

About the Rust Belt resurgence series

Times Staff

These stories about Camden, N.J., are the fourth part of an occasional series analyzing conditions in Rust Belt cities and urban revitalizatio…

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Why does NWI care about Camden?

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Why does NWI care about Camden?

By Bowdeya Tweh bowdeya.tweh@nwi.com, (219) 933-3316

Aside from geographic difference, Gary and Camden share similar ties in what brought them significant economic fortunes and how they reached p…