CLAY STREET, in Camden's 5th Ward, ran west from the 900 block of South 2nd Street to South Front Street. The street does not appear in the 1891 Sanborn Map, and has no listings in the 1887-1888, 1888-1889, or 1890-1891 City Directories. Its origins appear tied to the construction of the Public Service Corporation of New Jersey's gas plant on the east side of South 2nd Street between Cherry and Walnut Streets in the 1890s. A twin home of brick construction had been put up at 122 and 124 Clay Street by 1896. By 1906 Public Service has built a large storehouse and stables for its horses on the north side of Clay Street, and the S. Canning Childs grocery firm had a warehouse whose rear entrance was on the south side, at 116 Clay street. Contractor William H. Doherty had a large building at the rear of his property at 133 Walnut Street that had access to Clay Street.

It is quite probable that the houses on Clay Street were built at the same time as 121, 123, 125 and 127 Walnut Street, and that it was William H. Doherty who had them erected. William H. Doherty owned land in the 100 block of Walnut Street as early as 1890, and  made his home in that block of Walnut Street until he passed away in 1901.

Late in 1908 Clay Street became front page news when a resident was thought to have leprosy. No residences were recorded on City Street in City Directories after 1908, although newspaper articles indicate that there were residents there as late as 1912. 

No homes or business had addresses on Clay Street in the 1923 or later Camden City Directories.

Clay Street was officially extinguished by the City of Camden in October of 1974. All  physical traces of Clay Street are gone.

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

 Phil Cohen