Lawnside in Camden County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Historically Black Borough of Lawnside

New Jersey Black Heritage Trail

— Ext. 2022 —

Historically Black Borough of Lawnside Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 21, 2026

1. Historically Black Borough of Lawnside Marker

Inscription.
Despite widespread racism, Lawnside (formerly known as Snow Hill, Free Haven, and Burlington Island) became the first incorporated, self-governing Black town in the northeast in 1926. African Americans began settling the land in 1659 and by the 18th century Camden County had the largest population of freed formerly enslaved African Americans in the state. Historic locations within Lawnside include Mt. Pisgah AME Church, Lawnside School, Peter Mott House, and Moutn Peace Cemetery. Lawnside continues to be a pillar of the Camden County African American community today.

Erected 2024 by The New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the New Jersey Department of State. (Marker Number 2024.A.06.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 39° 52.081′ N, 75° 2.035′ W. Marker is in Lawnside, New Jersey, in Camden County. It is on Douglas Avenue east of Warwick Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4 Douglas Ave, Lawnside NJ 08045, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Jersey

and in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Peter Mott House Underground Railroad Museum (approx. 0.2 miles away); Peter Mott House (approx.

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0.2 miles away); Lawnside World War I Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Roll of Honor (approx. ¼ mile away); Jarena Lee (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mount Peace Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); The Heroic Service of African Americans in the American Revolution (approx. 0.6 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lawnside.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Story of the Peter Mott House (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Historically Black Borough of Lawnside Marker on the grounds of Lawnside Borough Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 21, 2026

2. Historically Black Borough of Lawnside Marker on the grounds of Lawnside Borough Hall

Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.