Camden: A SWAMP

From the history of Camden, you know that in 1799 the streets of Camden were laid out in the north/south and east/west grid we know today. But, did you know from York Street to DeKalb Street and Campbell to Lyttleton was swamp? A large ditch ran from Lyttleton beyond Campbell in an east/west direction. In 1816 the city authorized the building of brick or stone sidewalks from the lower end of the town to the "Big Ditch" bridge which is now the heart of the city.

As time went by, larger ditches were dug to drain more water off of the swamp so firm land could be cultivated for the building of what we know as downtown Camden. According to Ken and Boo Dubose, by the early 1900s, the ditches were three to four foot wide and five to six feet deep. Foot and wagon bridges were used to gain access to and from the streets. These ditches were on both sides of Market Street and most of the other streets in downtown Camden. A large ditch started from the east side of Broad Street ran under the buildings, headed west. When it rained, these ditches often overflowed as they kept downtown from becoming a swamp once again.

Behind Bloomsbury, another large ditch ran north/south from Pine Street to what is now becoming the Town Green. In the 1950's the Bloomsbury ditch was filled with culverts and covered with dirt. Many of these culverts intersect in the Rutledge/DeKalb/Lyttleton/Broad block. The Bloomsbury culvert and the associated culverts are essential infrastructure for the city. These culverts (modern ditches) keep downtown Camden from becoming a swamp once again.

Periodically, city infrastructure must be replaced and in some cases expanded. The drain infrastructure in the downtown area had to be torn up in order to replace/repair the culverts, along with other utilities, and to secure the downtown area. With time to replace culverts upon us, the Town Green was born.

You know from exploring town history that there has long been a plan for a central square. A square envisioned to function as town common. It is true, The Camden Town Green was not "our" idea. However, it is incredible that the infrastructure repairs have led to the creation of a beautiful common area as our fathers envisioned and desired.

Our Town Green is a win - win!. Good on you Mayor, Camden City Council and the great citizens of Camden.