Camden County has joined the list of New Jersey counties to host its own historical marker program. On May 24, the Camden County History Alliance unveiled the first seven full-color markers, which will soon be installed on sites across the county.
Among the sites chosen are the Battleship New Jersey, permanently docked on the Delaware River in Camden; the Spring Garden Inn in Ancora, once a stop for travelers on the White Horse Pike (now a private residence); and Collins and Pancoast Hall, a late nineteenth century civic center and entertainment venue in Merchantville. Haddon Township will receive two, for the African-American enclave of Saddlertown and the Champion School, believed to be the first free public school in the county. The cost of the markers, which totals about $6000, was funded by a Camden County Open Space grant. The History Alliance hopes to expand the project to other significant sites in the county and that these sites will become points of local pride for residents.