Ken,
Was just wondering if this is the original Convention Hall in downtown Camden or the one on Mickle St, that thewcity now uses ? I remember as a child 4 or 5 yrs old sleeping in the back of my dads car and watching the original one burn down. It would have been middle to late 50’s. My dad was a Camden Fireman and the CFD had called in off-duty men to help fight this fire. Anybody out there who remembers this ?
Warren, this is the front entrance to the Convention Hall near Mickle and Haddon Ave – just across from Cooper Hosptial. At one time it was an Armory building. This is were some of us went to watch roller derby and the Philly Warriors.
Ken,
I thought that was the Armory on Mickle St. The Original Convention Hall was, I believe, a six or seven story building and the fire that destroyed it was one of the worst in the city’s history. Thanks for the info.
I also remember the fire at the Camden Convention Hall. That building was located at the end of Line St near Memorial Ave. The site is now part of Campbell Soup Headquarters. In the 50’s there was a circus show in the Hall every Saturday morning and it was televised. It was named “Big Top Circus” One time I went to the show in person, that was a big event for us.
I, too, went to the circus show at the conv. ctr. Wasn’t sally Starr the majorette in that show?
By the way, do you remember my brother Austin Marks? I mentioned you remembered the Davis Playground and he said he remembered you!
He attended Davis 1949-56 and graduated Wilson in 63.
May 30, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Ken,
Was just wondering if this is the original Convention Hall in downtown Camden or the one on Mickle St, that thewcity now uses ? I remember as a child 4 or 5 yrs old sleeping in the back of my dads car and watching the original one burn down. It would have been middle to late 50’s. My dad was a Camden Fireman and the CFD had called in off-duty men to help fight this fire. Anybody out there who remembers this ?
May 30, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Warren, this is the front entrance to the Convention Hall near Mickle and Haddon Ave – just across from Cooper Hosptial. At one time it was an Armory building. This is were some of us went to watch roller derby and the Philly Warriors.
May 30, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Ken,
I thought that was the Armory on Mickle St. The Original Convention Hall was, I believe, a six or seven story building and the fire that destroyed it was one of the worst in the city’s history. Thanks for the info.
May 31, 2009 at 6:36 am
I also remember the fire at the Camden Convention Hall. That building was located at the end of Line St near Memorial Ave. The site is now part of Campbell Soup Headquarters. In the 50’s there was a circus show in the Hall every Saturday morning and it was televised. It was named “Big Top Circus” One time I went to the show in person, that was a big event for us.
May 31, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Freddy Vesper,
I, too, went to the circus show at the conv. ctr. Wasn’t sally Starr the majorette in that show?
By the way, do you remember my brother Austin Marks? I mentioned you remembered the Davis Playground and he said he remembered you!
He attended Davis 1949-56 and graduated Wilson in 63.
June 2, 2009 at 6:43 am
Peggy,
Yes I do remember Austin. We use to play basketball at the park. He is a few years older than me.