The Old Town Hall

Stories of Guernsey County by Wm. Wolfe Page540-541

                                     The Town Hall

     Stood on Site of Library.—For many years the Town Hall was the Cambridge community center.  Here were held the town meetings; political meetings of all parties; county political conventions—and some of them were interesting events; shows, concerts and entertainments; union church services; in fact, nearly all kinds of meetings of general interest.  It stood where the city Library now stands.

     The ground upon which it was built had previously been used as the sheriff’s truck patch.  The town believed a public market house would prove to be an advantage to the citizens as well as to the farmers of the surrounding country, who could bring in their produce on certain days and sell direct to the consumers.  It was decided to build the market house on the north side of the court square, as it was public property.

     Before work on the structure was begun the need of a hall for public meetings was discussed.  This resulted in the decision to erect a two-story building, the lower floor to be used as a market place, and the upper as a hall.  It was thus completed and used for many years.

     City Prison on First Floor.—In 1856 an agreement was made between the town and Cambridge Lodge No. 66, of Free Masons, whereby the latter, paying one-third the cost, might use a third story which would be erected on the original two.  Subsequently two new roofs were placed on the building and the Masons paid their proportional share.