Cambridge, Illinois
Cambridge is a village in Henry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,180 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Henry CountyTemplate:GR.
Geography
Cambridge is located at 41°18′12″N 90°11′36″W / 41.30333°N 90.19333°WInvalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (41.303327, -90.193411)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 3.7 km² (1.4 mi²). 3.7 km² (1.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.70% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 2,180 people, 856 households, and 595 families residing in the village. The population density was 592.7/km² (1,540.2/mi²). There were 896 housing units at an average density of 243.6/km² (633.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.17% White, 0.78% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.46% of the population.
There were 856 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the village the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 101.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $38,636, and the median income for a family was $46,786. Males had a median income of $31,442 versus $20,129 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,842. About 8.1% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
Court House
As the county seat of Henry County, Cambridge plays host to the county government. The Henry County Court House is the key architectural landmark of the village. As the tale goes, Cambridge stole the old court house from the old county seat Morristown. Cambridge residents supposedly went by night and loaded up the old courthouse which was rather small and moved it to Cambridge and it has been the county seat of Henry County ever since.
Schools
Cambridge has a single school district, School District #227, which includes a single elementary school, junior high (attached to the high school), and high school. The high school graduates around 50-60 students annually. Like many small towns, the cultural life of the community revolves around the arts and sports related to the school.
Parks
Cambridge has two public parks. Hand Park on the West side of town hosts little leage baseball and football, while College Square (former site of the High School) is the central park in the work with tennis courts, softball field and pavillion.
Grade School Principals
Wilbur Wigant, Shelly Logston
High School Principals
Dan Caras, Robert Reagan
Super Intendents
Bill Schehl, Steven Fink
Religious Denominations
Cambridge Lutheran Church (319 West Court, 309-937-5798), Church of Christ (108 West Upper Street, 309-937-2334), Church of God (504 N. Prospect Street, 309-937-2696), First Baptist Church 100 West Court (309-937-5441), St. John Vianney Catholic Church (313 South West Street, 309-937-3304), United Methodist Church (120 West Exchange Street, 309-937-2018)
Links to Bishop Hill
Historically, Cambridge has been linked to nearby Bishop Hill, Illinois. Bishop Hill was founded in 1846 by a sect of Swedish immigrants led by their prophet, Erik Janson. For several years, local Americans and their Swedish neighbors traded and lived in peace. In 1850, Erik Janson was murdered by a former follower in the court house in Cambridge. The historic record reveals some tension between the Swedes the in Bishop Hill and the residents of Cambridge. Additionally, the influx of Swedish immigrants attracted additional immigrants from Sweden to the Henry County area. As the population grew, they called for religious leadership from the Lutheran Church of Sweden, an official branch of the Swedish government. Before they fled from Sweden, Erik Janson and his followers had a contentious break from the Lutheran Church. The Cambridge Lutheran church was established as an off shoot of Lars Esbjorn's Augustana Lutheran Church in nearby Andover, Illinois. This religious-related tension would remain between the Augustana Lutherans (including Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois) and the people of Bishop Hills well into the late 20th Century. For more information on Cambridge's relationship with Bishop Hill see Troy Swanson's "Those Crazy Swedes: Outside Influence on the Bishop Hill Colony" in Nobler things to View: Collected Essays on the Erik-Janssonists published by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association in 1998.
Henry County Fair
Cambridge is the proud home of the Henry County Fair for one week each summer. During this local festival, Henry County showcases its talent as one of the permier agriculture producing counties of Illinois. 4H members show horses, cattle, arts, and other talents. Citizens submit art works and garden grown produce for competition. There is often a tractor pull and demolition derby. The Henry County Queen pageant is a draw for many spectators. The beer tent is also a site for reunions of present and past residents.
Village Board Presidents
Bill Todd Eric Hanson Dwaine VanMeenen
King Turned Mayor
Cambridge also has the distinction to have a man dubbed "Rabbit King" from his days showing Rabbits elected to be Mayor of Cambridge (or more affectionately dubbed 'Mayor McCheese'). Eric Hanson, elected at the age of 25, was also one of the youngest mayors in the history of the State of Illinois. Mr. Hanson's political career was short-lived and, unfortunately, did not live up the expectations of the voters.
Valley View Country Club
Valley View is an 18 hole, private golf club with a swimming pool and camping facility. Valley View plays host to the Cambridge High School Golf Team.
Cruising
While the Cambridge cops have tried to prevent it, cruising the "uptown" of Cambridge has been a favorite past time of CHS students for decades. Another past time of Cambridge High School students is hanging out around the park areas of Cambridge in the evenings. There is Hand Park where students play basketball, hockey, or soccer. There is also College Square Park, with the two sides the students have dubbed, "Dark Side" and "Light Side."
Sports
As with countless other small towns, sports plays a significant role in the life of Cambridge. FOOTBALL games tend to be key social events in the life of the town.
Arts
Compared with many towns, including neighboring towns, Cambridge is largely devoid of art. There have been several attempts at grassroots arts programs. The faculty at the local high school work to promote art, but with only one art teacher and one music teacher for the entire district, the art program is largely over-shadowed by the school's atheletics.
Mr. Michael McAvoy
While it is probably a bad idea to write about your favorite writing teacher, this must be done. There are few teachers like Mr. McAvoy. Wit and snappy humor thrived in his classroom, and, even though he is now retired, many of his former students recall fond memories of his classroom listening the the thump of dead bodies in shakespeare's Julius Caesar or discussing Lord of the flies in class. He was one of the special teachers who left a mark on this town.
If there is something on Mr. McAvoy then there should deffinetly be something on Mr. Dennison. Mr. Dennison has been the favorite teacher of many Cambridge Students for years. He is a very well respected teacher and for good reason. He is always sure to make sure you are getting done what you need to be, and always made things as interesting as possible. It was hard to leave his classroom without learning something, even if it wasn't history related.