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

Crystal Lake

Haddon Heights-1907 Atlas

Photographed by Don Morfe, November 29, 2014

1. Crystal Lake Marker

Inscription. Until the 1930s, a small body of water known a Crystal Lake graced the western end of Station Avenue in Haddon Heights. It was framed by North and South Park Avenues and served as the terminus (and namesake) for Lake Street. This lake was created by the damming of Kings Run, the waterway which becomes the southern branch of Newton Creek, and served as the dividing line between Haddon and Centre Townships until the Borough of Haddon Heights was created from them in 1904. European settlements began in this area in 1682 with six Quaker families dividing what was then Newton Township. Four early farmhouse remain in Haddon Heights; the Hinchman-Hurley-Lippincott House at 1089 North Park Drive (built c.1699), the Colonel Joseph Ellis House at 1009 Sycamore Street (built c.1710); the John Thorn Glover House at 1212 Sylvan Drive (built before 1750); and the Isaac Glove House at 1908 New Jersey Avenue (built c.1750).

Crystal Lake was a popular site for swimming and ice skating, especially among youngsters. Many older residents of the area have childhood memories of summers skinny-dipping and winter days spent gliding on its surface

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and then warming themselves by bonfires near its banks. In the center of the lake was a tiny island with four swamp willow trees that provided shade for summer picnics. Surrounding the lake were grassy banks punctuated by groves of mature native trees. In the 18th and 19th centuries, King’s Run provided water to the Glover Fulling Milling pond, downstream in the area currently between the bridge at Glover Avenue and the Haddon Heights Dell. Crystal Lake served as the background for a photograph of the first car in Haddon Heights, 1904 U.S. Long Distance Runabout owned by Mr. Luke Moore.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) drained the lake in the 1930s and removed many of the trees. Much of the new dry land eventually became part of the Camden County Park system, as it remains to this day. A rough outline of the lake can still be discerned if one considers the bowl-like terrain that the landscape assumes just behind the War Memorial at the foot of the park.

Erected by Haddon Heights Historical Society in Memory of Lynn Laitman.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 39° 52.728′ N,

Photographed by Don Morfe, November 29, 2014

2. Crystal Lake Marker

75° 3.816′ W. Marker is in Haddon Heights, New Jersey, in Camden County. It is on South Park Avenue. The marker is located in Haddon Lake Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Haddon Heights NJ 08035, 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,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: A different marker also named Crystal Lake (within shouting distance of this marker); Haddon Heights Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Letter" (approx. ¼ mile away); Historic Haddon Heights (approx. 0.3 miles away); Haddon Heights and the Railroad (approx. 0.3 miles away); Garnets Armed Forces Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away);

World War II Memorial in the Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, November 29, 2014

3. World War II Memorial in the Park

In Memory Of Norman F. Hoff (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Haddon Heights "Log Cabin" (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Haddon Heights.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 931 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 13, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.