Rare Photo: Cooper Street West from Railroad

Thanks to an anonymous tip, I recently came into possession of an extremely rare personal photo of Woodbury. On the back of the photo written in pencil is: "West from Rail Road Woodberry New Jersey." The photo clearly shows the 1881 Green Castle Hotel and across from that, an empty lot which would later in 1909 become the site of the Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Church. The photo is estimated to be circa 1900.

Also notice the Vanneman residence (Cooper Street Greenhouse) across from the empty lot on the opposite (NW) corner of Cooper and Euclid before the construction of the Daniel Steelman residence replaced it circa 1907. In 1964, 94-year-old I. Hampton Williams recalled the Vanneman Greenhouses had an actual banana tree growing inside (Hoelle, 1964). The Steelman residence, which still stands today became the rectory of St. Patrick's Church in 1957.

I will be donating the image to the Gloucester County Historical Society shortly so that they may properly preserve the photograph and so that members may enjoy the original.


Circa 1900 Cooper Street West from Railroad. Click for larger.

 

1880 ad for Cooper Street Greenhouse
 



October 14th, 1903 WDT article announcing the sale of the  long empty lot which would later become the site for St. Patrick's Church across from the Green Hotel

 

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Hoelle, E. (Ed.). (2005). Vignettes of "historic Woodbury". Woodbury, NJ: Gloucester County Historical Society.

Piscozackasing or Woodberry

"The Indian [Native American] name for Woodbury, county seat of Gloucester County, was Piscozackasing, which meant the place of black burrs. There are several versions as to how Woodbury got its present name, many having to do with wood and berries. The Indians most likely derived their version from the burrs of the many chestnut trees in the vicinity. In some old legal papers [and maps, see below] the name is spelled Woodberry.

The most plausible explanation of the name is that Henry Wood and his family moved there from Bury, Lancashire, England, in 1683. As was custom of many early settlers who were first arrivals at a spot, Wood combined his name with that of his former home, calling the place Woodbury." (McMahon, 1973)

1778 map of "The Province of New Jersey. Divided into East and West. Commonly called The Jerseys" by Wm. Faden of Charing Cross showing alternate Woodberry spelling.

1808 map "Plan of the City of Philadelphia and Environs" surveyed and published by John Hills also showing Woodberry spelling.

McMahon, W. (1973). South Jersey towns. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University.

quotations mine.