Travel Back in Time to Cambria

Cambria, Wisconsin, is a charming village in south-central Wisconsin. This land was originally home to Indigenous peoples, including the Ho-Chunk and the Menominee tribes. In the mid-1800s, white settlers arrived in the area. Cambria thrived as a farming hub, with agriculture playing a crucial role in its growth. In the early 1900s, the village even had its own railroad station, connecting it to the rest of the state.

Over the years, Cambria has evolved into a tight-knit community with a quaint downtown and vibrant local businesses. It’s annual Park Days, held the first week in August, include a softball tournament, attractions, food, and opportunities for residents to gather and celebrate their community.

All images are from Jane Morgan Memorial Library and the Cambria-Friesland Historical Society collection.

Check out the full collection here.

Main Street, Cambria, Wis. postcard 2, ca. 1935. Street view showing main street buildings.
Main Street, Cambria, Wis. postcard 2, ca. 1935. Street view showing main street buildings.
South side Main Street, Cambria, Wis. postcard, 1869. Street view showing main street buildings.
South side Main Street, Cambria, Wis. postcard, 1869. Street view showing main street buildings.
Main Street, Cambria, Wis. postcard 3, 1907. Street view showing main street buildings and gas street lamps.
Main Street, Cambria, Wis. postcard 3, 1907. Street view showing main street buildings and gas street lamps.
Building Northwestern Railroad postcard 1, 1910. Cambria main street with trucks carrying material for building the railway.
Building Northwestern Railroad postcard 1, 1910. Cambria main street with trucks carrying material for building the railway.
Homecoming, Cambria, Wis. postcard 1, 1912. People on main street.
Homecoming, Cambria, Wis. postcard 1, 1912. People on main street.
Cambria Canning Company (Cambria, Wis) postcard.
Cambria Canning Company buildings (Cambria, Wis) postcard.
Cave-in at Cambria, Wis. postcard, 1909. People looking at collapse of building.
Cave-in at Cambria, Wis. postcard, 1909. People looking at collapse of building.
Florence St., Cambria, Wis. postcard, undated. Street view showing Florence Street houses.
Florence St., Cambria, Wis. postcard, undated. Street view showing Florence Street houses.
Parry Hotel postcard 1. Parry Hotel 50th anniversary.
Parry Hotel postcard 1. Parry Hotel 50th anniversary.
Mary Street looking North, Cambria, Wis. postcard, ca. 1906. Street view showing Mary Street.
Mary Street looking North, Cambria, Wis. postcard, ca. 1906. Street view showing Mary Street.