In the 1840s, Sylvester Walker's farmhouse tavern at Cambridge Junction was a favorite rest stop for travelers heading west on the Old Chicago Road. Today, the tavern is part of an 80-acre state park. Visitors can tour the site's three historic buildings, view exhibits about tourism and enjoy the natural landscape of the Irish Hills.
Passing through kettle lakes and rolling hills, two Irish Hills roads meet at Cambridge Junction. One road, a worn Indian trail surveyed in 1825, joins Detroit with Chicago (now US-12); the other the La Plaisance Bay Pike (now M-50) joins Monroe on Lake Erie to Alto in west Michigan. High traffic on these two roads in the 1830s created the need for a wayside tavern where people traveling by stage, wagon or foot could rest, take a meal or stay the night. Cost for a meal and lodging was 50 cents
"West Texas Barbeque Co. is the number one source for Authentic Texas Style Pit Barbeque in Southern Lower Michigan. When we say "Authentic", we mean it! Our Barbeque pits are fired using only seasoned oak and hickory, we wouldn't dream of using gas, electricity, or charcoal, and we never rush what we're cooking, we always "cook it low and slow"... We operate a real, no frills Texas BBQ Joint. Travel time 18 min.
The Gilmore Car Museum is located in Hickory Corners, Michigan. The Museum houses one of Michigan's largest collections of classic and vintage automobiles. Over 300 vintage and collector vehicles and motorcycles from all eras are on display in over a dozen vintage buildings located on 90 acres. Travel time 1 hr 27 min.