Cambridge Junction Historic State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cambridge Junction Historic State Park |
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 Cambridge Junction Historic State Park
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Cambridge Township, Lenawee County, Michigan, United States |
| Nearest city | Brooklyn, Michigan |
| Area | 80 acres (32 ha) |
| Elevation | 994 feet (303 m) |
| Designation | Michigan state park |
| Established | 1965 |
| Administrator | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Cambridge Junction Historic State Park |
| Official name: Cambridge Junction | |
| Designated: | February 18, 1956 |
Cambridge Junction Historic State Park is a special place in Michigan. It's located about three miles south of Brooklyn, in Cambridge Township. This state park protects a very important historical site. It's home to Walker Tavern, which was a major stop for stagecoaches in the early 1800s. These stagecoaches traveled between big cities like Detroit and Chicago.
The park covers 80 acres. It includes the old tavern and two other historic buildings. The Michigan History Center has been taking care of the tavern since 1965.
Exploring Cambridge Junction
Cambridge Junction Historic State Park is a great place to learn about Michigan's past. It shows what life was like for travelers and people living in the 1800s. The park helps us understand how people moved around and what their daily lives were like long ago.
The Historic Walker Tavern
The Walker Tavern was a busy place in the 1800s. Imagine a time before cars and trains. People traveled by stagecoach, which was like a horse-drawn bus. These journeys were long and tiring. The tavern was a vital stop where travelers could rest. They could get a meal, find a bed for the night, and change horses. It was a lively hub for news and people passing through.
More to See at the Park
Besides the tavern, the park has other interesting spots. There's a barn that has been rebuilt to look like it did in the 1840s and 1850s. Inside, you can see old tools and learn about how people lived and worked back then. It shows what life was like for families and workers in that era.
The park also has the Hewitt House Visitors Center. This building was built in 1929. It focuses on the early days of car travel, known as "auto tourism." You can see displays about famous Irish Hills roadside tourist attractions from the 1900s. These were fun places people would stop at during their road trips.
