The Village of Cambridge was founded in 1773, yet these hill and valleys are rich with a history spanning hundreds and hundreds of years, from stone-aged calendar sites, and the American Revolution, to numerous stations to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
Not much is known about the early inhabitants of the Cambridge area, but the Native Mohawks of western NY and the Mahicans from the eastern coastal areas did use the region for hunting food, gathering other resources and receiving spiritual inspiration.
Some historians believe the Hoosick Mound, an early Native American burial site located just outside of town on the banks of the Owl Kill River, might have been the place where the famous medicine man known as, “The Great Peace” had his vision for the doctrine that would unite separate tribes into the powerful Iroquois Nation. Later, founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin would use this doctrine and their friendship with the Iroquois as inspiration to write our own Constitution.
Even though Cambridge has the reputation of being an agriculture community with a village surrounded by family farms raising horses, sheep, pigs, dairy and beef cattle, goats and even llamas, it’s history also has supported important industry.
The first steel plow was designed and built right here in the Village of Cambridge. These plows would be sent by rail to the mid-west to aid settlers in cultivating the far-reaching prairies. Jerome Rice created a seed packaging company that would supply seed to the entire country as it supported the town in building many of the beautiful Victorian homes and businesses that were to become the architectural hallmark of the community.
The streets of historic Cambridge Village were once paved with yellow bricks, some of which can still be seen coming through the blacktop at the west end of town . I often envision these streets “paved with gold” as I stroll down them today and shop for crafts and antiques, sample the culinary faire of the local eatery’s, go to the bookstore, peruse the handmade jewelry shops, and experience the inviting atmosphere that is unique to Cambridge's National Register Historic District.
Old (Good) News: Wisconsin Town Named for Cambridge, NY. “Named from a youthful romance of Alvin B. Carpenter, who obtained the land title and platted the village. It was the village of Cambridge, N.Y., his lover resided, and this was his way to perpetuate her memory in Wisconsin. ” [Source: Capital Times, Madison, Sept. 19, 1941] |
