Old Cambridge 1788-1988


In an earlier newsletter I referred to the Will Moses Cambridge history book. Let me explain.
 
In 1988 a committee of Robert Clay, Carleton Foster, Robert Raymond, Thomas Shiland, and David Thornton compiled and edited “a collection of historical essays and family histories commemorating the 200th anniversary of the forming of the Old Cambridge District, 1788”.
 
The painting reproduced for the cover of the book was created by Will Moses, a great grandson of Grandma Moses. Thus, I often refer to this collection of Cambridge-area history as the Will Moses Cambridge history book rather than by its official name.
 
The book isn’t sold anywhere any more, but the Cambridge Public Library has a copy of two. Stop by the next time you’re walking down Main Street. The stories and photos will stir a lifetime of memories.
 
 
Chronology
Speaking of Cambridge history, below is a list of some major events in the history of Cambridge schools, town and village. The information came from two sources:
  • Ken Gottry Jr’s research on the history of Cambridge schools
  • Ken Gottry Sr’s research of the village minutes for the 1976 Bicentennial celebration

All facts are accurate to the best of my knowledge. Any corrections should be sent to ken@gottry.com .

I'm never sure how formatted emails will appear when viewed by the recipients. Since the following table is difficult to read if not properly formatted, I've attached the same information as a PDF.

 

Year

Event

1761

the first settlers came to Ash Grove

1772

the Cambridge District was formed. It consisted of the territories of Cambridge, Jackson and White Creek, as well as part of Vermont, including what is now Bennington

1788

the Town of Cambridge became part of Albany County.  It was the 200th anniversary of this date that prompted the creation of the “Will Moses” Cambridge History book

1791

the Town was annexed to Washington County.

1799

Northern Turnpike (Turnpike Road) built from Lansingburgh to Granville

1799

first schoolhouse opened, located on east side of Academy Street

1815

Cambridge Washington Academy built, located at corner of Academy Street and Pleasant Street

1816

the Town of Cambridge was subdivided into what we know today as the Towns of Cambridge, White Creek, and Jackson. The edict was filed in 1815, effective 1-Apr-1816. The “Welcome to Town of White Creek” sign uses the 1815 date

1844

addition added to Cambridge Washington Academy

1852

Rutland and Washington Railroad was built

1853

NYS created the Union School Act to give money to communities to improve their schools. Cambridge declined the funds

1866

North White Creek (East End), Cambridge Corners (West End), and Dorr's Corners (Rt 313 and East main) merged to form Village of Cambridge

1866

JJ Gray Fire Engine Co No 1 formed

1872

Cambridge Washington Academy closed, a probable result of the recession of 1872-1873

1873

Cambridge Washington Academy reopened as Cambridge Union School of the West District

1873

Putnam Institute opened as Cambridge Union School of the East District

1879

Rice Seed House and foot bridge built

1883

JB Rice built a stone wall along Blair’s brook

1885

Cambridge Hotel built

1885

Union House hotel built

1885

Cambridge Water Works created

1887

Tile sewer laid on First Street through Pearl Street, across Main Street into Blair’s brook

1888

The blizzard on March 12-14 was the worst in history. Snow drifts exceeded 40 feet. Temperatures dropped from the 50’s to minus 30’s in a day. The SuperStorm of 1993 was called Storm of the Century since it was the worst in the 20th century but nothing like the Blizzard of 1888. In January of 1888 the MidWest experienced a similar storm, again called the worst in history. Books have been written about these two storms of 1888.

1891

Tile sewer extended to include Main Street

1891

Cambridge Union School opened on land reclaimed from the Cambridge Swamp

1891

Electric street lights installed on Main Street

1891

JB Rice bought Lauderdale Fair, moved it to Cambridge, where it was known as the Great Cambridge fair until 1947

1895

Tile sewer extended to Broad Street and Spring Street

1900

Telephone service in the village

1902

Voted to construct a trolley line; work was never started

1905

Rice Mansion completed (party on 31-Oct)

1906

Movement to put electric and telephone lines underground was defeated

1910

Cambridge jail closed. Prisoners now taken to Salem jail

1912

First village dump

1914

Village speed limit set at 15 MPH

1914

Hubbard Annex (old bus garage) added to Cambridge High School

1914

Main Street paved, became the Yellow Brick Road

1916

Silent Policemen were placed at Park Street, Union Street, and Tannery intersections

1917

July 4th laying of the cornerstone at Mary McClellan Hospital

1919

Free mail delivery established

1921

Houses were numbered for the first time

1922

Cambridge Washington Academy demolished

1922

Cannon placed on grounds of Cambridge High School and Public Library

1923

Florence Nightingale School of Nursing opened at Mary McClellan Hospital

1926

First permanent police officer hired

1927

The “President of the Village” became known as the “Mayor”

1928

Decided to blow fire siren every day at noon for test purposes

1929

Traffic light erected at Main and Park

1923

Village speed limit increased to 20 MPH

1927

NYS created Central School Act to give money to communities to consolidate the rural one-room schools into central schools. 276 schools in Washington county were to be consolidated into 11 central school districts. Transportation funds were included. Cambridge declined

1932

Village defeats motion to purchase Cambridge Water Works

1933

Vote allowed motion pictures to be shown on Sunday nights

1939

Village speed limit increased to 25 MPH

1945

Park Place became one-way street

1946

Hitchcock farm on South Park Street purchased as location of new central school

1947

Cambridge High School burns

1947

First street dances on Broad Street

1949

Village purchased Newcomb property at south end of Pearl Street for village dump

1950

Cambridge Central School – District no. 10 opens

1950

Summer youth program began

1950

Old firehouse torn down. New municipal building erected

1950

Lions Club donated Christmas lights for street decorations

1951

Complaints about cock fights being held in the village

1951

Walk from Avenue B to the school was built

1953

Decided to build a swimming pool on the school playground. Not sure if this was ever completed

1954

Village houses were renumbered (see separate article for complete list)

1956

Fire Dept Auxiliary sponsored street dance on Grove Street

1956

American Legion held carnival in RR Park

1957

Lions Club sponsored skating rink in RR Park

1958

Police were stationed at school crossing in morning and after school

1962

Two-way radio established between Hospital and Fire Station

1964

Village speed limit increased to 30 MPH

1964

Purchased land near old Sunrise School on Plains Road for use as landfill

1966

Speed limit on Rt 313 set at 40 MPH

1969

Discussed eliminating bon fires before football games

1970

Lot graded on South Park Street for Rescue Squad building

1971

Noise pollution from starlings in woods between Avenue A and CCS

1974

Bandstand moved from Cambridge Fair grounds to CCS

 

 

MAIN INDEX Index of Classes BulletinBoard Index of Personal Pages  Alumni Questionnaire  Smoke Signals  Former Students Directory  Alma Mater  
Former Students Questionnaire  Email  List  Celebrations  Newsletter  Cambridge Business Directory Alumni Web Sites
2007 Reunion Scrapbook Scrapbook   2007 Orange & Black Scramble  2006  Reunion Scrapbook  2006 Orange & Black Scramble 
2005  Reunion Scrapbook  2005 Orange & Black Scramble Our Servicemen &Women RedRose List Tributes CCS Alumni Remembers
 History of Cambridge Schools  Cambridge Pictures  What Draws You Back To Cambridge  Search This Site  Links