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Clementon Historical Commission

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Clementon Historical Commission

Sharing the history of the town once called "South Jersey's Coney Island." Inspired by former town historian John H. In 2005, the John. H. Fisher, Jr.

In 2001, a small group of dedicated Clementon citizens formed the Clementon Historical Commission. Fisher, Jr., the group endeavored to make Fisher’s long-held dream – a place to house and display Clementon history – a reality. Historical Museum opened its doors in the onetime council chambers of Clementon’s former borough hall at the intersection of Gibbsboro and White Horse Roads. Fisher wouldn’

t live to see his dream come to fruition; however, his careful organization serves as the cornerstone of the Museum’s collection. In Fisher’s spirit, the Commission collects historical documents and memorabilia lent and donated by residents present and past, making them available for the enjoyment and education of all visitors.

06/17/2026

Tonight's the night!

Join us between 6 and 8pm at the Clementon Historical Commission museum, home to countless old Clementon photos and mementos.

Children welcome – just need to be closely supervised by their adult.

We hope to see you!

06/16/2026

Join us tomorrow night for our monthly Clementon Historical Commission open house!

On display: Our Memorial Day Through the Years presentation – postponed from last month due to a power outage – and more vintage Clementon photos and mementos than you've ever seen in one place!

06/13/2026

This photo was kindly donated by Gay Raab. It shows her great-aunt and great-uncle, Jennie (DelRossi) Avellino and Anthony Avellino, swimming in Clementon Lake in 1927 with Clementon Park's Noah's Ark walk-through attraction visible in the background.

Clementon's Noah's Ark was demolished decades ago. However, you can still find an operating Noah's Ark attraction at Kennywood Amusement Park near Pittsburgh!

06/10/2026

Mark your calendar: NEXT Wednesday, June 17th, is our monthly museum open house.

Last month's was canceled due to a power outage so come by next week to see our Memorial Day Through the Years exhibit – and so much more!

06/07/2026

Continued from yesterday!

Watsontown Fire Company disbanded in 1990, at which point its building, equipment, and other assets were sold. Those profits were funneled back into South Jersey a few years later, in 1993:

$30,000 to the Camden County College Foundation
$30,000 to Camden County College
$30,000 to Overbrook Regional Senior High School
$20,000 to the Clementon Youth Athletic Association
$20,000 to the St. Agnes Medical Center’s burn center in Philadelphia.

Here, Clementon resident Ira Buchalter, former officer of the Watsontown Fire Company, presents checks to Dr. Joan Krivy (right) of the Camden County College Board of Trustees and Maryetta Cool (left) of the Camden County College Foundation.

06/06/2026

Continued from yesterday!

For close to eighty years, Watsontown Fire Company operated from the corner of the White Horse Pike and New Freedom Road in the Watsontown section of Clementon.

Its first headquarters (first photo) was erected in 1915. For decades it served not only as a firehouse but as a meeting place for local churches and social events. The firehouse met a sad end in 1982, however, when a former fire company volunteer broke in overnight, slashed three fire engines’ tires, and set the building ablaze. Responding firefighters managed to drive the three trucks out of the fire despite their flat tires.

The volunteer company started raising funds to rebuild.

The second Watsontown Fire Company firehouse (second photo) debuted soon after, in the mid 1980s. However, it wouldn’t operate as a firehouse for too long. In 1990, Clementon Borough Council voted to consolidate the borough’s three fire companies. Watsontown Fire Company (as well as East Clementon and Clementon A.A. fire companies) all combined to become the Clementon Fire Company. Watsontown Fire Company’s fire house and assets were sold. However, the sale came with some silver lining.

Continued tomorrow!

06/05/2026

These photos ran in the Courier-Post in 1948.

In the first shot, Watsontown Fire Company fireman Harry Mackey polishes a Watsontown fire engine.

In the second, six-year-old Samuel Black, fire company mascot, smiles from his seat at the wheel.

From 1915 until 1990, Watsontown Fire Company operated from the corner of the White Horse Pike and New Freedom Road in Watsontown, the village that became part of Clementon Borough in 1925. Over the next two days we’ll share a little more about its history and disbandment.

Stay tuned!

06/01/2026

From time to time we get questions about this residence on Silver Lake Drive with a unique feature: a bell tower.

Indeed, from the 1940s through 1970s, 111 Silver Lake Drive was a church – and, before that, a garage!

In 1940, Reverend George W. Mathis and his congregation purchased the 30x30 garage near the corner of Gibbsboro Road as the new home for their Trinity Chapel. The congregation had previously met at the Amber Terrace Fire Hall in Pine Hill. They installed new floors, fixtures, walls, and seating for more than 100 people. It is unclear whether the bell tower was added at that point or later.

By the early 1950s, the church had become the Gospel Chapel of Clementon, and by the 1960s, Faith Baptist Church. Its run as a place of worship came to an end in 1974, when Faith Baptist Church relocated to its newly-built location on Porter Ave in Erial. At that point, it seems, the structure became a private residence.

We do not have any photos of 111 Silver Lake Drive from its days as a church. If any exist, we'd love to see them! We also welcome your memories.

05/29/2026

The first half of 2026 has been quite a ride, but now its time to put your hands in the air and get ready to enjoy the unofficial start of summer time fun!

Address

195 Gibbsboro Road
Clementon, NJ
08021

Website

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