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History of Cambridge School

The first school in Cambridge was taught in the year 1845 or 1846 bv Miss Sarah Francis Little, sister of Henry G. Little. The building- occupied was the old court-house, which served for various uses untilsold to the Games Brothers. In the year 1850. the building now used as the Christian Church, was erected. This was used until the year 185G, when the brick structure in College Square was built. During the Winter of l856-'7 the school was divided into two departments, and in addition to the frame school-house, the basement of the old M. E. Church was used, the brick school-house being incomplete. This was the first grading or division of the schools into more than one department. The Principal was Dr. R. C. Raymond, now a practicing' physician of Cambridge.

The following year the school was held in the brick house, with Henry P. Sumner as Principal with one assistant. Dr. Raymond came again in 1858. He was succeeded by thefollowing persons as Principals: A. B. Converse, William Wight, Thorpe, and Miss Sarah B. Dunn. These occupied the position till 1860, when Ira D. Marston assumed charge, and remained until 1860. During all these years but one assistant teacher was needed, the building containing but two rooms and two recitation rooms capable of accommodating the juvenile population of the town.

In the Autumn of 1866, B. F. Barge, present County Superintendent of Schools, was secured as Principal, and remained in charge until 1872. At first he had but one assistant ; but in 1868, the frame building occupying the same lot, was completed, and two additional departments added. In 1872 one more was also added to these, making four in all. At the close of the session of 1871-2, Mr. Barge went to Geneseo, and Mr. C. J. Gruey, the present Principal, was placed in charge. At that time the enrollment was 288. In 1873 he established the present High School course of study, and in 1875 graduated the first class from that course. He also graduated a class the following year. The enrollment is now 450, and the attend ance close upon that number. These are divided into five departments, requiring the services of six teachers, one, Mrs. Gruey. assisting in the High School. The frame building was enlarged to six rooms during the Summer of 187G. and is now sufficiently large to accommodate the school. Should the growth of the town continue as it has since 1871. additional room will be needed to keep the educational facilities of Cambridge to the present high standard.

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