The History of Voorhees, NJ: From Rural Hamlets to Suburban Hub

If you tell someone outside of South Jersey that you’re looking at homes in Voorhees, you might get a joke about a certain hockey-mask-wearing movie character. Let’s clear the air right away: Voorhees Township has absolutely no connection to Friday the 13th.

The town is actually named after Foster McGowan Voorhees, the Governor of New Jersey who granted the township its independence.

When you drive through the area today, passing the bustling Voorhees Town Center or the medical complexes along Route 73, it’s hard to imagine that this was once a quiet collection of dirt roads and farmland. The story of Voorhees is really a story about transportation. It evolved from scattered agricultural hamlets in the 1800s to a premier suburban destination, largely driven by the arrival of the railroad and, much later, the PATCO Speedline.

Here is a look at how Voorhees grew from a rural outpost into the community we know today.

Indigenous Roots and Early Settlement

Long before current property lines were drawn, the land that is now Voorhees was inhabited by the Lenni-Lenape people. They didn’t just pass through; they utilized the area’s natural resources, particularly the timber and water sources, often migrating through the region seasonally toward the Atlantic coast.

As European settlers arrived in the 1700s, the landscape began to change. The area was originally part of a massive tract of land known as Waterford Township. Early settlers established sawmills and small farms, taking advantage of the dense forests and streams. For over a century, the area remained rural, defined by quiet agricultural life rather than the commercial hustle we see now.

1899: The Birth of Voorhees Township

By the late 19th century, the residents of this area began to feel disconnected from the governance of Waterford Township. The population was growing, and the locals wanted more control over their own roads and schools.

In early 1899, a group of residents petitioned the New Jersey Legislature to form a separate municipality. The petition reached the desk of the sitting Governor, Foster McGowan Voorhees. He signed the bill, and on March 1, 1899, the township was officially incorporated. In a gesture of gratitude (and perhaps political savvy), the founders named the new town in his honor.

However, “Voorhees” in 1899 wasn’t a unified town with a central downtown. It was really just a loose political boundary drawn around several distinct, independent communities.

A Tale of Five Hamlets

If you look at real estate listings or older maps of Camden County, you will still see names like Kirkwood or Glendale used to describe specific neighborhoods. These aren’t just marketing terms; they were the original hamlets that made up the township.

Before modern subdivisions filled in the gaps, these five areas functioned almost like separate villages:

• Kirkwood: Originally known as “White Horse,” this was perhaps the most significant early hamlet. It served as a key stop on the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, connecting the area to the rest of the region.
• Ashland: Like Kirkwood, Ashland grew around the railroad. The train station here made it an early hub for residential growth, attracting people who wanted a country home with access to the city.
• Kresson: Located on the eastern side of the township, Kresson was known for its early grist mills and retained a very rural, wooded character for much longer than the western sections.
• Glendale: Situated along the road to Berlin, this was a primary agricultural hub. The farms here supplied produce to the surrounding urban areas.
• Osage: Named after the Osage Nation, this area developed a bit later but became an integral part of the township’s residential fabric.

It is also worth noting that Gibbsboro was originally part of Voorhees. However, the residents of Gibbsboro voted to secede and form their own borough in 1924, slightly altering the township’s borders.

The Suburban Boom: Echelon Mall and PATCO

The true transformation of Voorhees from a farming community to a modern suburb happened in the mid-20th century. Two major developments defined this era: the repurposing of an airfield and the arrival of high-speed rail.

Between 1939 and 1965, a significant portion of the town was occupied by the Echelon Airfield. It was a small, general aviation airport that served private pilots. When the airfield closed, it freed up a massive tract of land centrally located in the township.

Developers saw an opportunity. In 1970, the Echelon Mall opened on the old airfield site. It wasn’t just a place to shop; it was the anchor for a planned community called “Echelon,” which included apartments, condos, and office space. This put the township on the map as a regional destination.

Around the same time, the PATCO Speedline was completed in 1969. The arrival of the high-speed line meant that residents could live in the spacious suburbs of Voorhees and commute to Center City Philadelphia in under 25 minutes. This accessibility sparked a housing boom, converting acres of farmland into the residential subdivisions that characterize living in Voorhees NJ today.

Modern Voorhees: Medical Hub and Town Center

As the 21st century approached, the “mall era” began to fade across America, and Voorhees was no exception. The Echelon Mall saw a decline in traditional retail traffic, prompting a major pivot in the town’s planning strategy.

The mall was rebranded as the Voorhees Town Center, shifting focus toward a mixed-use model that blends residential living with retail and municipal services. As of 2026, the area is undergoing further evolution. A redevelopment agreement with Hoboken Brownstone Company aims to revitalize the site even further, adding more housing and modern amenities to create a walkable downtown vibe.

Beyond retail, the township has reinvented itself as a “Medical Mile.” The Route 73 corridor is now home to the massive Virtua health system campus, making healthcare one of the largest economic drivers in the area.

Despite this growth, the town has made efforts to remember its roots. The preservation of Stafford Farm—one of the oldest farms in the region—ensures that the agricultural heritage of the town isn’t entirely lost to pavement. Today, the township balances these modern amenities with open space, offering a lifestyle that appeals to those interested in Camden County real estate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Voorhees, NJ named after?

The township is named after Foster McGowan Voorhees, who served as the Governor of New Jersey from 1899 to 1902. He signed the bill that allowed the township to separate from Waterford, and the residents named the town in his honor.

When was Voorhees Township founded?

Voorhees was officially incorporated on March 1, 1899. Before this date, the land was politically part of Waterford Township.

What was the Echelon Mall before it was a mall?

Before the mall was built in 1970, the site was home to the Echelon Airfield. The airfield operated from 1939 to 1965 and was a hub for private aviation before the land was sold for development.

Is Gibbsboro part of Voorhees?

No, not anymore. Gibbsboro was originally a section of Voorhees Township, but it separated and incorporated as its own independent borough in 1924.