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CAMBRIDGE, OHIO

Cambridge is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in beautiful Southeastern Ohio.  Located at the intersection of Interstates 70 and 77, Cambridge is often called the “Crossroads of America.”

Cambridge, the county seat of Guernsey County, is located about 122 miles south of Cleveland, Ohio; 100 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; 50 miles west of Wheeling, West Virginia; and 80 miles east of Columbus, Ohio.  Guernsey County is the heart of business, education, and tourism in this part of the state. 

Nothing can prepare the harried city dweller for the quiet, relaxed atmosphere of Guernsey County.  The lovely small-town setting generates a friendliness that is unexpected in today’s world.  Built on the quiet dignity of hard-working people, Guernsey County boasts a superior standard of living. 

Cambridge is a family-centered community that has hometown appeal.  There are vast opportunities for involvement and membership in organizations and civic groups for both adults and youth.  Fairs, festivals, theater groups, and other attractions and events provide entertainment year-round for residents and tourists alike.  Enjoy shopping in our historic downtown business district, retail stores located at two strip centers, or malls just a 30 to 40 minute drive away.  Our area is appealing for its low cost of living.

POPULATION

Cambridge (2006 est.):  11,454

Guernsey County (2005):  41,123

CLIMATE

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Coldest month:  February

Hottest month:  August

Annual average temperature:  52°

Annual total rainfall:  32 inches

Wettest month:  June

Driest month:  October

Annual average snowfall:  25 inches

EDUCATION

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There are three outstanding public school districts in the Cambridge area with all schools newly constructed.  The districts boast of small class sizes, security measures, strong athletic programs, and much parental involvement.

   Cambridge City Schools

• 3 elementary schools, 1 junior high, 1 high school

• 2,771 total enrollment

• 215 teachers and administrators

   East Guernsey Local Schools

• 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 high school

• 1,226 total enrollment

• 90 teachers and administrators

   East Muskingum Local Schools

• 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 intermediate school, 1 high school

• 2,196 total enrollment

• # teachers and administrators

   Rolling Hills Local Schools

• 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 high school

• 2,185 total enrollment

• 165 teachers and administrators

Area Colleges and Universities

Muskingum College is a private Presbyterian college, which is located 9 miles west of Cambridge.  Muskingum offers four-year liberal arts and science programs with 37 majors.

Zane State College, located in nearby Zanesville, offers 2-year associate degrees and 1-year certificates in various fields.

Belmont Technical College is a 2-year college in nearby St. Clairsville that offers 45 courses of study in various fields and grants 2-year associate degrees and certificates, as well as first 2 years of 4-year degree that can be transferred.

Ohio University provides two area branch campuses located in Zanesville and St. Clairsville, which offer 100+ major areas of study available for associate and bachelor’s degrees.

Kent State University has a branch campus located in New Philadelphia, which offers associate degree programs in a variety of fields as well as first 2 years of 4-year degree programs.

HOUSING

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Average home purchase 2000:  $69,863

Typical lot size:  75 x 150

Typical lot cost:  $10,000

Typical construction:  basement, frame, brick

Housing developments:  available for middle to upper income level homes

Average home rental range:  $425 to $575

Apartment rental:  $300 to $475

ECONOMY

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Because of the cooperative environment in the area, companies such as Detroit Diesel, Ridge Tool and Colgate-Palmolive have decided to expand current operations.  These are just three of the many companies that have added to their current businesses.

Major Employers

• Cambridge City Board of Education

• Colgate-Palmolive

• Daimler Chrystler / Detroit Diesel

• Guernsey County Government

• Interim Healthcare

• LDM Technologies

• Manpower

• Southeastern Med

• State of Ohio

AREA OUTDOOR RECREATION

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Our natural wonders are yours to discover as you enjoy outdoor recreation during our moderate-weathered four seasons.  Participate in your favorite outdoor activity as you explore our lakes, state parks, resorts and lodges, campgrounds, golf courses, and miles of wooded areas and trails for hiking, walking, or biking.

Salt Fork State Park, the largest of the Ohio State Parks, has a 3,000-acre lake with no horsepower limits.  Salt Fork also offers an 18-hole championship golf course, 14 miles of hiking trails, and hunting and fishing areas.  The park has a lodge with 148 rooms, 54 two-bedroom cabins, and a 212 unit camping area.  Salt Fork and Sugartree Marinas offer boat rental and cruise boat rides.

The Wilds, located near Cumberland, is one of the largest and most innovative conservation centers in the world.  Spanning 14 miles of reclaimed surface-mined land, the Wilds seeks to advance conservation through science, education, and personal experience.  Visitors choose from comfortable air-conditioned transports or custom open-air transports for a guided tour where they see Rhinos, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, cheetahs, and 22 other threatened species roaming freely in large, natural habitats.  Visitors learn about the animals and the issues affecting their survival.

Seneca Lake Park invites you to enjoy fishing, sailing, waterskiing, or sun bathing at this popular 3,500-acre Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Lake.  Seneca Lake area offers a more secluded retreat for camping or swimming in this scenic wonderland.  Planned activities are available for campers and day-users.  Seneca Lake is stocked with a variety of game fish.  Hunters enjoy acres of land open during the season.  The scenic, peaceful picnic areas include tables, grills, and shelters.  For a quiet vacation at the lake, there are two-bedroom cabins.  Those looking for a more rugged stay will be pleased with more than 503 campsites, many wooded.  The lake is 12 miles southeast of Cambridge.

Senecaville Fish Hatchery has a current fish production consisting of walleye, saugeye, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, and channel catfish.  Approximately 3-5 million fish are produced here annually.  All fish produced here are stocked into public fishing waters around the state.

Cambridge City Park offers something for every member of your family.  Enjoy picnic shelters, fishing in the city lake, sand volleyball, basketball, tennis, softball, baseball, football, playgrounds, pool, walking trail, covered bridge, huge shade trees, modern restrooms, meeting rooms, city band concerts, festivals, and more.  You may be able to catch an Ohio District Five Little League game or participate in the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS, EVENTS, & CELEBRATIONS

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Salt Fork Arts and Crafts Festival brings beauty and excitement to the Cambridge City Park by bringing the arts to Guernsey County each August.  Visitors to the festival enjoy fine arts and crafts, demonstrations, performing arts, showcase of Ohio foods, youth art displays, and much more.

Dickens Victorian Village magically brings Olde England and history alive in Historic Downtown Cambridge with more than 100 lifelike figures representing scenes from Victorian Society during the winter holiday season.  Experience all 40 displays in this innovative public art exhibition as you take a walking tour amidst Cambridge’s charming streetscape, striking architecture, and eclectic shops and eateries.

The Living Word Outdoor Drama in Cambridge is considered Ohio’s only live outdoor Passion Play that presents the Life and Ministry of Christ on a spectacular 400-foot panoramic set and America’s most authentic recreation of Old Jerusalem.  Show features live animals, brilliant sound and lighting, authentic costumes and set, a host of talented actors and actresses, and visitors who actually take part in the play.

The Official Paul Bunyan Show, the oldest forestry show in the country and believed to be the largest forest industry show of its kind in the eastern U.S., attracts thousands of visitors to the Guernsey County Fairgrounds each October.  The event features live equipment demonstrations, lumberjack competitions, entertainment, and educational seminars.

Hopalong Cassidy Museum and the Hopalong Cassidy Festival held each May celebrate the life and career of Cambridge native William Boyd who gained national recognition as the cowboy star Hopalong Cassidy.  The museum, located in the Tenth Street Antique Mall, features an extensive collection of products endorsed by Boyd.  The annual festival allows fans to enjoy cowboy look-alikes, Hopalong Cassidy and western memorabilia, and special guests.

The Andrew Kachilla Center for Arts is located in downtown Cambridge and is dedicated to local folk artist Andy Kachilla.  The non-profit Kachilla Center displays his work and the works of several prominent local artists.  The Center also hosts art exhibitions and competitions and holds art classes for young people and adults.

Deerassic Classic is the annual weekend-long fundraiser in August for the National Whitetail Deer Education Foundation, a non-profit organization.   It’s one of the biggest, most unique outdoor events in the country featuring a large celebrity line up, live concert music and entertainment, national displays and product demonstrations, food, and fabulous prize giveaways.

Byesville Scenic Railway transports passengers back in time to the days when coal mining was king in Guernsey County.  Listen to the stories of the local miners, sing along to “I Owe My Soul to the Company Store,” and be sure to sit back and relax on this 1 ½ hour trip.

National Museum of Cambridge Glass houses a superb collection of Cambridge glassware produced by The Cambridge Glass Company from 1902 to 1958.  In addition to the 6,000-piece glass display area, mannequins are used to demonstrate how glass was gathered from the furnace, formed into it final shape, and then etched, gold decorated, or engraved.  This is just one of many glass museums in our area.

Guernsey County Historical Museum is a 165 year old, restored 16-room home located in Cambridge containing antique furnishings, products, and personal items from Guernsey County and its people.  One room features Guernsey residents of national or worldwide fame, and another honors Sen. John H. Glenn, Jr., first U.S. astronaut to orbit the earth.

Universal Pottery Museum invites you to discover the wonderful private collection of dinnerware produced in Cambridge by Universal Pottery, Inc.  Predecessors to Universal Pottery, Inc. included Cambridge Art Pottery, the Guernsey Earthenware Co., the Oxford Pottery Co., and the Atlas-Globe China Company.  Pieces of Universal Pottery are available for purchase along with collectors guidebooks.