The J.B. Van Sciver  Furniture Company "Joseph B. Van Sciver, a twenty-year-old Dutch-American born in Hainesport, Burlington County, started a small furniture store on Federal Street in 1881 and seven years later moved to larger quarters at Federal Street and Delaware Avenue on Camden's riverfront. He developed an extensive furniture business, selling inexpensive products as well as costly reproductions. Pieces made in Van Sciver's plant were delivered by wagon throughout South Jersey and Pennsylvania. In 1890 and again in 1898, Van Sciver added shops, storage facilities, and public showrooms to his Delaware Avenue location. In order to attract interest in his business across the river, Van Sciver built several exotic towers which could be seen from Philadelphia on top of his Camden manufactory."

Source:  Camden County, New Jersey, 1616-1976: A Narrative, by Jeffrey M. Dorwart and Philip English Mackey.  Camden County, NJ: Camden County Cultural & Heritage Commission, 1976.  [Note that Professor Dorwart's new book, Camden County, New Jersey : The Making of a Metropolitan Community, 1626-2000, has recently been released.]

Text and photo copyright © by the Camden County Cultural & Heritage Commission.  Used with permission.
 

BJ Swartz
kelta@keltaskavern.com
Created March 14, 2001, updated June 16, 2007