Gateway to the Irish Hills: Cambridge Junction

Twenty miles southeast of Jackson - and just a tad east of Michigan International Speedway - lies the township of Cambridge in Lenawee County, just a few hairs away from Jackson County. This intersection (US-12 & M-50), which is home to Walker Tavern, the historic Hewitt House, and Cambridge Junction Historic State Park, can also be referred to as the "gateway to the Irish Hills".

The highway now known as US-12 was originally the Sauk Trail, used by Native American tribes from the 1700s to the early 1800s. It became a military road, laid out in 1825, and the main route for stagecoaches between Detroit & Chicago.

In 1833 Norman Geddes arrived from New York, bought land, and settled here in 1835. That same year, a number of citizens gathered in Butterfield's Inn and chose the name ‘Cambridge’ for their township. It also became the name of the little village at the intersection of M-50 and US-12. It was originally listed as "Cambridge P.O." and later shortened to just "Cambridge" as seen in the old atlases below.

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Now it is known as "Cambridge Junction", even though it doesn't get listed on maps.

In 1838, Sylvester Walker built a tavern near the junction, on the north side of (what is now) US-12 and the crossroads became nicknamed ‘Walker’s Junction’. In 1840 a post office was implemented with Walker as first postmaster.

The first schoolhouse was built in 1835, followed by other enterprises: doctor's office, saw mill, township hall, church, general store and hotel. The Cambridge post office stood just south of the intersection on the west side of the road, and north of the Episcopal church.

In the 1840s, Walker’s Tavern became a "must visit" stop for travelers along the trail. This historic tavern still stands, and is all part of the State Park welcoming visitors. When the Michigan & Ohio railroad came through in 1883, a village was created five miles south of Cambridge Junction, which was named Onsted.

Walker Tavern operated until 1853, when Sylvester Walker constructed a similar establishment called S. Walker's Hotel, just across the street. In 1865, the original Walker Tavern was purchased, and again in 1921 when it was converted into a museum. The Cambridge Junction post office permanently closed in 1904.

Even though Cambridge Junction is just a tad over the Jackson County line, it remains a vital part of Jackson's history and one of the area's most historic spots.