Camden Streets - Byron Street

Streets
of

Byron Street

BYRON STREET in what was once North Camden's Poet's Row neighborhood. The three blocks of houses that came to be known as Poet's Row first appear in the Camden City Directory of 1890-1891. Named for famous figures of English literature, the streets ran east and west from North 2nd Street, north of Erie Street. The first street north of Erie was Byron Street, followed by Milton Street and Burns Street. Only a few homes are noted in the 1890-1891 directory on Burns Street, at either end of the block, and only the 200 block is listed. This would indicate that Byron was built first, from the ends in, then Burns, and lastly Milton Street. A 300 block of Byron was built later, and also a 500 block of Byron.

North Camden in the 1890s offered many employment opportunities. Camden's industries were booming, and entrepreneurs came to Camden to set up shop. The new houses were snapped up mostly by tradesmen and skilled workers, with more than a few taking advantage of the short walks to the Vine Street and Shackamaxon ferries to commute back and forth to Philadelphia. The builder also made provisions for corner stores so the residents could shop conveniently. The sidewalks, like many of that era, were brick, and the streets were paved with cobblestone.

The Poet's Row neighborhood remained a vibrant place for decades, until, of course, after World War II, when the jobs began to leave North Camden. Perhaps it was poetic, with no pun intended, that the disaster that destroyed Poet's Row occurred when a recently closed factory building caught fire; the fire spreading to the homes, and in one hellish night destroying Milton Street, Burns Street, and the north side of the 200 block of Byron Street, where only two homes at the east end of the block, 241 and 243 Byron Street, were saved. Milton and Burns Street were no more. When dawn broke on August 24, 1972 both streets were gone.

Do you have an Byron Street memory or picture. Let me know by e-mail so it can be included here.

Phil Cohen
Saturday, November 02, 2019

Camden NJ - 1914
Burns Street is the second northernmost street in North Camden on this map

Intersection of North 2nd Street & Byron Street Click on Images to Enlarge

	Byron Street as seen from North 2nd Street July 5, 2004

200 Block of Byron Street Click on Images to Enlarge
	200 Byron Street 1924-1929 Benjamin Schwartz grocery 1947 Vacant 1969
	201 Byron Street 1924-1933 Pietro Capriotii 1947 Vacant 1969
	202 Byron Street 1924 Mrs. Jennie Smith 1929 Vacant 1947 No Listing 1969
	203 Byron Street 1912 Peter Roane Philadelphia Inquirer January 17, 1912
	203 Byron Street 1924-1929 Charles Covington 1929
	203 Byron Street 1930 Charles L. "Charley" Humes
	203 Byron Street 1937 John Kellock 1947 Clayton R. Odenath 1969 1972 Gone
	204 Byron Street 1906 Peter John McGuire
	204 Byron Street 1924 Thomas M. Miller 1929 William H. Brown 1947 Vacant 1969 2004 Gone
	205 Byron Street 1906-1910s John Dyer & Family John & Hester Dyer John Lester Dyer Edward Dyer Philadelphia Inquirer January 30, 1909
	205 Byron Street 1911 Walter Joslin Philadelphia Inquirer July 19, 1911
	205 Byron Street 1924 Frank Miller
4 BITTEN BY DOGS, ONE FORMER PUGILIST Four persons, including a former Camden boxer, were among victims of dog bites recorded over the weekend. George Delker, 54, of 29 South Forty-second Street, the former boxer was attacked at Pennsville while romping on the beach with a pet spaniel. Delker was treated by a physician for lacerations of the left foot. At Cooper Hospital three persons received treatment. They are Jonas Cooper, 24, of 1163 Lawrence Street; bit on left arm; Lawrence Repetto, 2, of 117 Main Street, bit on leg, and a physician John Garrity, 17, of 205 Byron Street, bit on leg.	205 Byron Street 1929-1933 William T. Garrity & Family William T. & Kathleen C. Garrity John Garrity Camden Courier-Post June 5, 1933
	205 Byron Street 1947 Stanley J. Brown 1969 1972 Gone
	206 Byron Street 1924 Svend A. Hansen 1929 Julius Donaski 1947 Mrs. Sophia Dernoga 1969 2004 Gone
	207 Byron Street 1924 Ephraim S. Sayre 1929 George B. Linkert 1947 Mrs. Marie Brown 1969 1972 Gone
	208 Byron Street 1924 Alex Summerfield 1924 Lewis Forrester 1929 Joseph H. Link 1931 Charles R. Mattison
	208 Byron Street 1942-1944 Richard Odenath & Family Richard & Hannah Odenath Louise Odenath Dorothy Odenath Clayton Odenath William Odenath Richard Odenath Camden Courier-Post June 30, 1944
	208 Byron Street 1947 Ralph G. Jones 1969 2004 Gone
	209 Byron Street 1910 Anna Connor Philadelphia Inquirer June 24, 1910
	209 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Vacant 1947 Addison Swanson 1969
	210 Byron Street 1924 Jacob R. Harbison 1929 George W. Lawler Photograph Taken in 2006
	210 Byron Street 1938 Herman Schilder Camden Courier-Post February 21, 1938 Trinity Lutheran Church Rev. Thulo Gore Mrs. Dora Schilder North 2nd Street
	210 Byron Street 1947 Walter Collins paperhanger 1969 2004 Vacant Photograph Taken July 5, 2004
	210, 212 & 214 Byron Street Photograph Taken in 2006
	211 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 James Gilbert 1947 Mrs. Agnes Titus 1969 1972 Gone
	212 Byron Street 1898 Fred George Gregory Philadelphia Inquirer August 23, 1898
	212 Byron Street 1924-1936 Chester H. White 1947 Charles E. Delaney 1969
	213 Byron Street 1924-1929 Richard Yentsch 1947 No Listing 1969 1972 Gone
	214 Byron Street 1924 Cornelius Byer
BENCH WARRANT ISSUED FOR NORTH CAMDEN MAN A bench warrant for Herman Max Schwartz in whose home at 214 Byron Street, a 50-gallon still was seized yesterday afternoon, was issued by Judge Bertman when Schwartz failed to appear at Police Court today. Bertman was informed by a policeman sent to find him that Schwartz was in Philadelphia. Bertman called Harry Albert, formerly active in Seventh Ward politics, to the front of the courtroom. Pointing to Mrs. Rosie Speller, 39 years old, 241 Burns Street, held as a material witness., Bertman asked Albert if he had told the woman or Schwartz to stay away from the court. Albert denied he had said anything. "I was told you had.” Bertman declared, as Albert returned to his seat. Mrs. Speller was detained yesterday afternoon when Police Captains Naylor and Cunningham and Detective Branch seized the still, a quantity of mash, and 24 empty cans in Schwartz’s home.	1927-1928 Herman Max Schwartz Camden Courier-Post January 31, 1928
	214 Byron Street 1929 Leon J. Chorzelewski 1938 Ernest Herman 1947 Henry S. Pease 1969 2004 Vacant
	215 Byron Street 1899 Earl Robinson Philadelphia Inquirer May 14, 1899
	215 Byron Street 1924-1929 Harry Richter 1947 No Listing 1969 1972 Gone
	216 Byron Street 1924 Herman Ladewig 1929 Charles Sevcik 1947 Mrs. Emma Monroe 1947 Edward Monroe 1969 2004 Gone
	217 Byron Street 1922 Richard Davidson Philadelphia Inquirer November 26, 1922
	217 Byron Street 1924-1929 Richard Garrity 1947 Gone 1969 1972 Gone
	218 Byron Street 1924 Patrick K. Hickey 1929 Fred R. Jentsch 1947 No Return 1969 2004 Gone
	219 Byron Street 1924 Charles J. Allen 1929 Joseph Diefendorf 1947 No Listing 1969 1972 Gone
	220 Byron Street 1924 Rudolph Schilder 1929 Robert Smith 1930-1947 Adolph Kerk Sr. & Family Adolph & Emma Kerk Sr. Adolph Kerk Jr. Herman F. Kerk Carl Kerk William Kerk Albert Kerk
	220 Byron Street Private First Class Herman F. Kerk
	220 Byron Street 1969 2004 Gone
	221 Byron Street 1929 Mrs. Roberta Lovett 1947 No Listing 1969 1972 Gone
	222 Byron Street 1924 Adolph Weisgerber 1929 George E.W. Hillary 1937 Anna Kenney 1937-1947 John V. Kenney 1969 2004 Gone
	223 Byron Street 1924 George W. Rival 1929 Roy Spiller 1947 Giles C. Beebe 1969 1972 Gone
	224 Byron Street 1899 Samuel Matthews Philadelphia Inquirer February 12, 1897
	224 Byron Street 1924-1929 John J. Rheinbold 1947 William E. Patterson 1969 2004 Gone
	225 Byron Street 1903 Isaac Burnstine Philadelphia Inquirer December 29, 1903 Frank T. Lloyd
	225 Byron Street 1924 1929 Charles E. Smith 1947 No Listing 1969 1972 Gone
	226 Byron Street 1924 Joseph C. Cartwright 1929 Mrs. Hilda M. Jensen 1947 A.F. Wright 1969 2012
	226, 232, 234 & 240 Byron Street Photograph Taken July 5, 2004
	227 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Vacant 1947 No Listing 1969 1972 Gone
	228 Byron Street 1924-1927 William Henry Reed
	228 Byron Street 1924-1927 John WInstanley & Family John & Sarah Winstanley John WInstanley Jr. Mary Winstanley Richard Winstanley Joseph Winstanley Elizabeth Winstanley Lydia Winstanley Thomas Winstanley
	228 Byron Street 1929 Herbert Dsffield 1947 George H. Coleman 1969 2004 Gone
	229 Byron Street 1924 Joseph Regan 1929 Vacant 1947 Gone
	230 Byron Street 1924 George Mower 1929 Samel Narodetsky 1947 John Weber 1969 2012
	231 Byron Street 1924-1929 Mrs. Clara Gravenstine 1947 Earl Reinhold 1969 1972 Gone
	232 Byron Street 1924 Mrs. Christine Undorfer 1929 No Listing 1947-1953 Albert S. Warner & Family Albert & Alfreda Warner 1969 2012

	233 Byron Street 1924-1929 Frank Polidore 1947 Frederick C. Hackney 1969 1972 Gone
	234 Byron Street 1916-1947 Henry G. Christopher 1969 2004 Gone
	235 Byron Street 1924 Mrs. Mary Mycock
	235 Byron Street 1929-1930 Edward Brendlinger & Family Edward & Myrtle Brendlinger Edward J. Brendlinger Myrtle Brendlinger Fred Brendlinger Kathleen Brendlinger
	235 Byron Street 1947 Arthur W. Deaner 1969 1972 Gone
	236 Byron Street 1924-1929 Charles Fenton 1947 Herbert Bristow 1969 2004 Gone
	237 Byron Street 1924-1930 Harry R. Janice Sr. & Family Harry Janice Jr.
	237 Byron Street 1947 George L. Scott 1969 1972 Gone
	238 Byron Street 1924 Daniel Murphy 1929 Vacant 1935 Marion Reed 1947 Mrs. Minnie A. Roberts 1969 2004 Gone
	239 Byron Street 1924 William Oldman 1929 Mrs. Maria Oldman 1947 William J. Burns 1969 1972 Gone
	240 Byron Street 1924-1929 Thomas Cattell 1947 Charles M. Mackintosh 1969 2012
	241 Byron Street 1924 Walter E. Deacon 1929 Vacant 1947 Edward Loges 1969 2012
	242 Byron Street 1924-1929 Eugene Mahaffey 1947 Edward Long 1969 2006 Gone
	243 Byron Street 1895 Walter Scott & Family Walter and Annie A. Knowlder Scott Walter Eli Scott Howard W. Scott Philadelphia Inquirer April 29, 1895
	243 Byron Street 1924 LeRoy Moritz 1929 Vacant 1929 1969 2012
	244 Byron Street 1924-1929 Samuel Mackintosh 1947 John Dorofee 1969 2006 Gone
	245 Byron Street 1924 Frank Griber 1929 Charles Evenrode 1937 Agnes Little 1947 Clinton W. Toy 1969 1972 Gone
	200 block of Byron Street Utley C. "Wiley" Geise Philadelphia Inquirer May 8, 1912

Intersection of North 3rd Street & Byron Street Click on Images to Enlarge
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	Looking West on Byron Street from North 3rd Street The 200 Block of Byron Street as seen from North 3rd Street July 5, 2004
	Looking East on 200 Block of Byron Street towards North 3rd Street July 5, 2004

Northeast Corner of North 3rd Street & Byron Street - July 9, 2012

300 Block of Byron Street
	310, 312, 314, 316 & 318 Byron Street Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	310 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929-1947 Samuel Polen 1969 Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	311 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Alex D. Sumerfield 1941 Georgia May Stinsman 1947 Allen Potter 1969 Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	312 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Frank Clouser 1947 Joseph T. Drach 1969 2012 Vacant
	312 & 314 Byron Street Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	313 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Walter E. Deacon 1947 Clarence D. Travis 1969 2012 Vacant
	314 Byron Street 1924 No Listing
	314 Byron Street 1927-1931 William P. Spencer
	314 Byron Street 1947 John A. Schilder 1969
	315 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Leonard Adler 1947 No Return 1969
	315 & 317 Byron Street Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	316 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Mrs. Lillian M. Kelly 1947 Edward Wallace 1969
	316 & 318 Byron Street Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	317 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 William H. Stanley 1947 Ellsworth S. Petit 1969
	318 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Vacant 1933 A.D. Summerfield & Family Mr. & Ms. A.D. Summerfield Howard D. Summerfield 1947 Mrs. Martha Rodman 1969
	319 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Edward Hughes 1947 Raymond R. Schmid 1969
	319 & 321 Byron Street Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	319 & 321 Byron Street Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	320 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Joseph E. Jeffries 1947 Carl B. Southard 1969 2011 Gone
	321 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 John Wagner 1947 George W. Sweigart 1969
	322 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 James M. Lowe 1947 Edward L. Brittingham 1969 Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	323 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Howard Lawmaster 1947 Jacob H. Lawmaster 1969
	323 & 325 Byron Street Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	324 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Wlater Marker 1947 Alfred D. Kershaw 1969
	324 & 326 Byron Street Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	325 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Joseph Knapp 1947 Charles E. Ackley 1969
	326 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Walter Kauffman 1947 Max Undorfer 1969
	327 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Vacant 1937 John Trevito 1947 Mrs. Nellie Chomeill 1969 Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	327 & 329 Byron Street Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	328 Byron Street 1924 No Listing
SIXTY DAY JAIL TERM GIVEN TO MILK THIEF Joseph Knecht, 20 years old, 328 Byron Street, was sentenced to 60 days in the county jail this morning when he was arraigned in police court charged with stealing milk. Knecht was arrested at 4 o’clock this morning by Policeman Oliver Morgan at Third and Erie Streets. The officer told Judge Bertman he had received a number of complaints from drivers who said they had lost a great quantity of milk during the past week. He said he caught Knecht in the act of stealing a bottle of milk from a doorstep.	328 Byron Street 1928 Joseph Knecht Camden Courier-Post January 21., 1928
	328 Byron Street 1929 William Rittmayer 1947 Michael A. Massara 1969 2012 Gone
	329 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Vacant
	329 Byron Street 1931 William Henry Reed
	329 Byron Street 1947 Francis J. Dowdell 1969
	330 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Rodney E. Brown 1942 Augusta Kotowski 1947 Alex Kotowski 1969 2011 Gone
	331 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Vacant 1947 Louis V. Liberski 1969 Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	331 & 333 Byron Street Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	332 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Joseph Dudgins 1947 Elmer Liebfried 1969 Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	332 & 334 Byron Street Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	333 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Vacant 1947 John D. James 1969 Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	334 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929-1930 David J. Baxter & Family David & Leda Baxter George P. Baxter Leta Baxter 1947 Frank DeAscentis 1969 Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	335 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Vacant 1947 Richard A. Lehner 1969 2011 Gone
	336 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Vacant 1947 John C. Jenkins 1969 Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	337 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Maurice D. WInner 1947 Paul C. Grover 1969 2011 Gone
	338 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Harry C. Bartton 1947 John A. Gasman 1969 2012 Gone
	339 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Frank J. Beaston 1947 James Bowman 1969 2011 Gone
	340 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Alfred Moll 1947 Charles Kendall 1969 Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	340 & 342 Byron Street Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	341 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Emil Jentsch 1933 New Jersey Commercial Bar and Fixture Company 1947 J. Thompson 1969 2011 Gone
	342 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 William L. Miller 1947 Edward H. Butrica 1969 Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	344 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Thomas R. Elleray 1947 Giovanni DiNambro 1969 Photo Taken July 9, 2012
	346 Byron Street 1924 No Listing 1929 Walter G. Churchill 1947 Mrs. Emily A. Pote 1969 2011 Gone

Intersection of North 4th Street & Byron Street Click on Images to Enlarge

Northeast Corner of Byron Street & North 5th Street Click on Images to Enlarge
	1910 Camden Metal Company Horace L. Brewer
	1945-1947 Quaker Shipyard & Machine Company SUBMARINE FIRE- Burning bilge oil in the partly dismantled submarine Narwhal at the Quaker Shipyard and Machine Co., Fifth and Byron Streets, was extinguished by Camden firemen. The Narwhal, and her sister ship Nautilus, docked nearby, were involved in the sinkings ofr 28 Japanese ships, including the carrier Kaga at the battle of Midway. The yard was dismantling 13 subs. An acetylene torch started the blaze. USS Narwhal SS-167 USS Nautilus SS-168

Intersection of Byron Street & North 5th Street
Click on Images to Enlarge

B and H Trucking Company
Harold L. Snyder
R. Ballinger

New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory
1936

Company moved to
507 Main Street
by 1947

500 Block of Byron Street
	522 Byron Street 1924-1929 Herman H. Knorr 1947 Thomas J. Dickinson 1969 2011 Gone
	524 Byron Street 1924 Albert Lacombe 1929 Elwood Geverd 1947 Edward P. Wetherill 1969 2011 Gone
	526 Byron Street 1924 Emil Weber 1929 Norman Hudson 1947 Riobert G. Dunn 1969 2011 Gone
	528 Byron Street 1919 J.R. McDonald Philadelphia Inquirer June 19, 1919 Ralph Burrows Christopher Moll Dr. WIlliam H. Pratt Grant Street York Street
	528 Byron Street 1924 George E. Davidson 1929 Charles T. Gibbons 1940 Anna Dillon 1947 James W. Henry 1969 2011 Gone
	530 Byron Street 1916 Albanus Keever Philadelphia Inquirer December 9, 1916
	530 Byron Street 1924-1929 Mrs. Anna Martin 1947 Richard H. Haines 1969 2011 Gone
	532 Byron Street 1924-1929 Richard Wilson
	532 Byron Street 1940 Johnny Bernard
	532 Byron Street 1947 William H. Haines 1969 2011 Gone Photograph Taken March 1940

	534 Byron Street 1924 Robert H. Howard 1929 Vacant 1947 Joseph W. Duggins 1969 2011 Gone
	536 Byron Street 1924 William J. Mannning 1929 Vacant 1947 Samuel G. Dickinson painter 1969 2011 Gone
	538 Byron Street 1924 Harry Hosking 1929 Edward J. Streeker 1947 Charles J. Gillespie 1969 2011 Gone
	540 Byron Street 1924 Stanley Hosking 1929-1947 William J. Manning 1969 2012
	542 Byron Street 1924-1939 Harry J. Weisbecker baker
	542 Byron Street 1943-1956 William C. Watkin William C. & Lillian Watkin
	542 Byron Street 1969 2012
	543 Byron Street 1914-1929 Salisbury Worsted Mills 1924-1929 Cleveland Worsted Mills Co. Philadelphia Inquirer February 10, 1914
	543 Byron Street 1947 Henry H. Benedict Company yarns 1947 Benedict Worsted Mills Inc. 1969 2011 Gone
	544 Byron Street 1924-1929 James F. Allen 1947 Mrs. Elsie H. Allen 1969 2012
	546 Byron Street 1924 Charles B. McDonald hauling 1929-1938 William Smires & Family William & Adelia Smires 1947 William J. Chorzelewski 1969 2011 Gone
	548 Byron Street 1924 Preston Baum 1929 Frank H. Mooney 1947 Richard Wilson 1969 2011 Gone
	550 Byron Street 1924 Julius Neumiller 1929 Vacant 1947 Frank L. Sturdivant 1969 2011 Gone

Intersection of North 6th Street & Byron Street Click on Images to Enlarge
	1930s-1950s Henry H. Benedict Company 1955 New Jersey Bell Telephone Yellow Pages Listing

Fire Started in the former John R. Evans Co. leather factory, a block long factory building at North 2nd and Erie Streets in North Camden on a hot summer night, August 23, 1972. Inadequate water pressure, combined with a stiff breeze from the south indicated that there was trouble ahead. The first responding Fire Company, Engine Company 6, sounded the Second Alarm upon arrival.

Pandemonium in Poets Row as residents attempt to hurriedly evacuate homes of furnishings as the conflagration took off. High winds and flying embers, combined with the intense radiant heat created fire storm conditions. The Fire Companies arriving on the scene in response to the Greater Alarms entered the Poets Row streets to find everything burning- buildings, trees, fences, parked cars, and telephone poles. Live electrical wires were down and arcing everywhere.

The 200 Block of Burns Street, as seen form North 3rd Street. The photos of Engine Company 3 doing everything it could with its deck pipe and hand-held hose to cutoff the rapidly spreading fire. In the early stages of the fire Engine Companies often found themselves alone on an entire block, desperately trying to make a stand while awaiting reinforcements. Several units, driven back by the intense fire, would disconnect from the fire hydrants, fall back to the next hydrant further down the street, only to be driven back once again as the fire continued to spread. Engine Company 3 operated by itself for nearly one half-hour until assisted by a subsequent mutual aid fire company.

Ruins of original fire building and surrounding neighborhood at Poets Row, North Camden, in the aftermath of the worst conflagration in the history of the Camden Fire Department.

Looking East on the 200 block of Burns Street on the day after the fire.

Engine Company 3 stands in stark contrast with the devastation surrounding an area of four square city blocks. Ten alarms with aid from fire departments outside of Camden and over two hundred firefighters worked for eight hours before bringing the fire under control. Forty-two homes and the original John R. Evans factory building, where the fire started, completely collapsed, and an additional thirty houses were severely damaged. Hundreds of Poets Row residents lost everything. Although there were scores of injuries to both firefighters and civilians, miraculously all were minor in nature.

POET'S ROW - The 200 Block of Byron Street - July 5, 2004
	Looking East from North 2nd & Byron Street Click on Image to Enlarge
	214, 212, 210 Byron Street Click on Image to Enlarge
	Remaining homes on the South Side 200 Block of Byron Street Click on Image to Enlarge
	Looking West from North 3rd & Byron Street Click on Image to Enlarge