Underground Railroad stop-turned-Philadelphia suburb
Once an important stop along the Underground Railroad, Lawnside, New Jersey was known for its vibrant Jazz scene and family-owned barbeque joints throughout the 1920s,‘30s and ‘40s. Musicians like Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday performed in Loretta’s Hi-Hat and Dreamland Cafe, and illuminated signs along Evesham Avenue advertised soul food. During the Jim Crow era, the borough was a refuge for black Americans; “Lawnside was founded by progressive individuals,” says Raymond Byard, owner of Raymond Byard Real Estate. “It is what it is today because the people who settled there were forward-thinking. It’s still a majority-black neighborhood, and residents celebrate the borough’s history during “Heritage Day” at the end of June. “It’s a special event,” says Byard, “There’s a parade that ends in Lawnside Park where people gather to celebrate. They’ve got vendors, presentations and steelpan performances. Then they end the night with a big fireworks show.” Although the jazz clubs and roadside barbeque stops disappeared decades ago, replaced by housing developments and big box retailers, Lawnside residents have managed to hold onto their history.
Basketball and tennis courts in the historic Lawnside Park
Once home to a Ferris Wheel, swimming pools and food vendors during the neighborhood’s height in the 1930s, Lawnside Park is less like a carnival these days. However, it does have basketball hoops, outdoor gym equipment and tennis courts. Nearby, find the Peter Mott House, once a key part of the Underground Railroad. To the north past Interstate 295 is the members-only Tavistock Country Club and Haddonfield Parks like Pennypacker, where dinosaur bones were discovered in 1858. Hiking trails surround the Cooper River, and the best way to end a hike in Crows Woods Nature Preserve is with a turn on the rope swing.
Heritage Day going strong for 50 years
For the last 50 summers, Lawnside residents have looked forward to Heritage Day in Lawnside Park. There are live musical performances throughout the day, a parade, local vendors and fireworks after the sun sets. Farther south down White Hore Pike, the Laughing Fox Tavern hosts musical artists and DJs; nights here usually involve some type of dancing. The Somderdale Cinemark is the go-to place to see the latest releases, and there are always more opportunities in Haddonfield’s historic downtown 2 miles away. Buy tickets to watch the Haddonfield Players or learn about southern Jersey history at the Indian King Tavern Museum (admission is free).
Early 20th-century investment properties and new developments
In Lawnside, investment properties — some of which date back to the early 1900s — start in the mid $100,000s. Renovated ranch-styles, 1930s-era bungalows, Cape Cods and split-level homes start in the mid $200,000s and larger Colonial Revivals are often listed for upwards of $300,000. Sidewalks line most streets, and driveways are long enough for multiple cars. In the southern section of the neighborhood, two-story traditional homes built in the early 2000s hover between $350,000 and $500,000. Most have two-car garages and enough space for driveway basketball hoops.
Fast food joints along White Horse Pike
Although there are no longer quite so many barbecue joints in Lawnside, White Horse Pike is home to plenty of fast food restaurants. North of the New Jersey Turnpike there’s Popeyes, Wendy’s and Chick-fil-A. To the south, find McDonald’s and smaller businesses like MAMA's Indian Kitchen & Food Mart. Across the highway from McDonald’s, AAA Hobbies & Crafts sells the supplies to make model planes, and residents pick up groceries at ShopRite or drive to the Walmart Supercenter in Summerdale.
Everything from guitar ensemble to Python at Haddon Heights High
Starting in Kindergarten, neighborhood students can attend Lawnside Public School, which earned a C on the educational review site, Niche. After eighth grade, they can go on to attend Haddon Heights High, which received a B-plus. Older students can join the high school’s guitar ensemble, take AP Environmental Science or even learn how to code in text-based Python. The school also has a top-performing marching, which won Cavalcade of Bands in 2022.
NJ Transit buses and PATCO Speedrail
Lawnside is just 15 miles south of Philadelphia via Interstates 295 and 676. Those looking to avoid parking in the city can take public transit. Bus 403 travels along White Horse Pike all the way into Downtown Camden, and from here, there are multiple lines that cross the Delaware into Pennsylvania. There’s also the PATCO Speedrail, which stops at Haddonfield Station. Philadelphia International Airport is just outside the city, and Lawnside residents can access medical care at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital directly north of Ellisburg Circle and Garden State Pavilion Shopping Centers.
