RCA Historical Factory in Camden NJ, Building #17 (1916)

[zandru]

This group of stock photos are of Building #17, commonly known as the Nipper Building (named after the Famous RCA Victor Dog).
There were a total of 23 Dog factories in Camden NJ. The nipper building has been converted into Luxury Condominiums while
maintaing It's beautiful round stained glass window that portrays the classic image of nipper the Dog with head tilted in curious
fascination by the Victrola Gramophone and a caption in the stained glass window that reads: " HIS MASTERS VOICE". There are
two other abandoned Dog factories (mere shadows of their former grandeur). In It's heyday the Camden Dog factories were the
largest Radio and later; Television manufacturing complex in the world. As of 2012, Camden NJ has seen better days. It has the
highest poverty and murder rate % by population in America. "Get Well Camden"

 

[RamblinE]

So sad what's happened to that town. I always look over and see the old RCA building in Camden's "skyline" off in the distance while driving on I95 to and from Philly. It's a sin.

 

[NCTubeLover]

It is sad,
all the empty buildings and no employees.

Closing the plants and moving overseas was the start of the down fall of our industrial might...IMO

Sad also are the closed Magnavox factories in Fort Wayne, Ind.
and the Curtis Mathes plants in Texas.

All the other audio/tv plants that moved off shore too.

Do we build any audio products with 100% US made parts and labor?

One thing I've learned while working on these vintage stereos ect; they were built and designed in the US, no China, no Japan, no Taiwan and no Mexico.

 

[ferninando]

and McIntosh is now an Italian Company. that'll be something to see.

how sad to see RCA in that condition.

 

[wajobu]

My former next door neighbor who passed away about 10 years ago (at age 96) worked in that factory. Before I knew about this, one day, she came over and noticed that I had a couple of Victrolas. She focused on one (built around 1914, a Victrola X) and she said she had one just like it...sure enough, she did...mine being mahogany and hers oak.

I have a history book about the factory (Look For The Dog) and she picked out a photo of the assembly room where she worked. She had some great stories about the factory and how the Victrolas were made. They were built to last, and if you know where to look, you can still get spare parts!

Photo: Victor VVX w/ an Enrico Caruso Red Seal Victor 12" from 1916

An added benefit, during power outages, we still have music!