About the City

Location

Cambridge is a city located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in beautiful southeastern Ohio in Guernsey County. Cambridge is at the crossroads of Ohio at Interstate 70 and 77, with driving distances - 80 miles east of Columbus, 122 south of Cleveland, 100 miles southwest of Pittsburgh and 50 miles west of Wheeling, West Virginia. The Interstate Highways share interchanges of U.S. Route 40 (East and West), which is now designated a National Scenic Byway, U.S. Route 22 (Northeast and Southwest) as well as State Route 209.

The population of Cambridge is approximately 13,000.

History

In 1796 Col. Ebenezer Zane received funds to cut a road from Ohio to Kentucky. He responded by naming the first settlements in honor of Cambridge, Maryland. The land on which part of Cambridge stands was granted by Zaccheus Biggs and Zaccheus Beatty by the government in 1801. Another group of early settlers from the Isle of Guernsey in the British Channel pitched camp in 1806 in Cambridge because the women in the party refused to move on.

Long ago, the Delaware, Shawnee, Wyandotte, Miami, Chippewa and Mingo indians traveled the forest spread throughout Guernsey County. Many bridges were built in the county including the construction of the first bridge authorized in the Northwest Territory. Some of the bridges curved, as evidence by several 'S' bridges, which still survive.

Early in the 1900's, the county, and particularly Cambridge became synonymous with quality glass of Cambridge Glass. Collectors who appreciate quality glass still visit Cambridge for antique glass of the area and the new glass companies.

Cambridge is the birthplace of Colonel John Glenn, U.S. Senator and American Astronaut. It is also the birthplace of William "Hopalong Cassidy" Boyd.

Cambridge has two nearby lakes that attract many visitors each year. Salt Fork State Park and Lodge with the largest inland beach in Ohio, Seneca Lake, The "Wilds" a natural animal preserve, and the "Living Word" outdoor drama.

Government

Mayor and City Council

Population and Area

City of Cambridge Population: 13,000 (2000)
Guernsey County: 40,792 (2000)
Total Labor Force: 19,400
Total Unemployed: 1,500
Median Age: 35.7
Area: 16 Square miles
Altitude: 886 feet above sea level
Climate: Four-season moderate.
Average Rainfall: 32 Inches
Annual Mean Temperature: 52 degrees F

Commerce

City Tax Rate: 1.5% (1.2% prior to January 1, 2003)
State Tax Rate: up to 3.5%
Real Property Tax: $62.30/$1000 
Total Work Force: 19,400
Unemployed Workers: 1,500 
Unemployment Rate: 7.4% (August, 2002)
Chamber of Commerce
Cambridge-Guernsey Community Improvement Corporation

Transportation

Cambridge is located at the crossroads of Ohio where Interstates 70 and 77 intersect along with historic State Route 40 National Road Scenic Byway.

Airport – Cambridge Municipal – 4,300 foot runway
Regional Airports – Port Columbus, Akron-Canton Regional, Pittsburgh Int’l 
Rail Service – CSX Transportation serves Cambridge area.

Education

Cambridge City Schools: Approximately 2900 K-12 students. Pre-School, Handicapped, Head Start, 3 elementary, 1 middle school, 1 high school.
St. Benedict School
Guernsey-Noble Career Center and Muskingum Perry Career Center
Buffalo, Ohio (10 miles), Zanesville, Ohio (25 miles) respectively.
Muskingum Area Technical College, Zanesville, Ohio (30 mi.) 
Ohio University – Athens (Main campus)
Ohio University – Eastern (Branch campus)
Ohio University – Zanesville (Branch campus)
Muskingum College, New Concord, Ohio (10 miles)
Kent State University Tuscarawas, New Philadelphia, Ohio (35 mi.)