Ithamar Pillsbury owned a large plot of land that was later developed as the town of Cambridge.

They laid out roads, established post routes, and erected public buildings to attract new residents.

As a result, Henry County was part of the Northern Tier, with its culture being closely aligned with that of upstate New York and early New England.

The Henry County Court House, designed by Thomas J. Tolan & Son, Architects, of Fort Wayne, Indiana (1875–1878), is the key architectural landmark of the village.

As in many small towns, the cultural life of the community revolves around the arts and sports related to the school.

This latter community was founded in 1846 by a sect of Swedish immigrants led by their prophet, Erik Janson.

The historic record reveals some tension between the Swedes in Bishop Hill and the residents of Cambridge.

As the population grew, they sought religious leadership from the established Lutheran Church of Sweden, then an official branch of the Swedish government.

Before fleeing from Sweden, Erik Janson and his followers had a contentious break from the Lutheran Church.