Chronology of Cambridge's History

Below are 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

Year	Event
1761	the first settlers came to Cambridge Valley
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 Shaftsbury
1788	the Town of Cambridge became part of Albany County. It was the 200th anniversary of this date that prompted the creation of the 1988 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 (now St Lukes St), 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
1913	Main Street paved, became the Yellow Brick Road
1914	Hubbard Annex (old bus garage) added to Cambridge High School
1914	Village speed limit set at 15 MPH
1916	Silent Policemen were placed at Park Street, Union Street, and Tannery (Center Cambridge Road) 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 18-Aug
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. Never done
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 (gazebo) moved from Cambridge Fair grounds to CCS