THE BEGINNING . . .

On May 25, 1890 the residents of Cambridge witnessed, first hand, the devastation and destruction that  fire can cause.  On that Sunday night in May the call of fire was heard.  As there were no apparatus for extinguishing the fire, a bucket brigade was quickly formed.  It gained great headway and the whole town seemed doomed.  It was about 4 o’clock in the morning before people began to retire and the fire was still not completely extinguished.

It was said to have taken eight years for the village to fully recover.  The fact that Cambridge had simply survived the fire was a testament to the strength and determination of its residents.

In 1901, the Cambridge “waterworks” was established.  Construction began on a water tower and a system of eight-inch mains with fire hydrants.  The tower still stands today on South Sreet.

In 1902, the Cambridge Fire Company began.  On February 12th, 1902 a meeting of “selected members” met at the Village Hall for the prupose of organinzing and electing officers.  The meeting was call to order by Chris Legreid, a local blacksmith, who later that evening would be elected the first fire chief.  Since that very evening in 1902 community minded citizens have served the village of Cambridge and the surrounding area as volunteer firefighters willing to risk life and limb for the common good in their community.