A truly one-of-a-kind Northern Michigan property, this remarkable 40-acre parcel offers a rare combination of history, natural beauty, privacy and extraordinary development potential. Surrounded on two sides by the Huron National Forest, the property enjoys a spectacular wooded setting with Comins Creek crossing the rear of the acreage before flowing into the renowned AuSable River, located approximately one mile to the south. Once home to the Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad, this property was originally developed as a popular tourist attraction where visitors boarded a miniature passenger train for an 18-minute scenic journey through the picturesque jack pine forest. While the train itself is no longer on the property, much of the fascinating railroad character remains through an exceptional collection of purpose-built structures. Overlooking the beautiful Comins Creek Valley is a 750-square-foot rustic home, built in 1960, two bedrooms and two baths. Its peaceful setting and elevated valley views make it an ideal owner's retreat, guest cottage or base for a recreational venture. Adding tremendous character to the property is a turn-of-the-century-style Victorian railroad station, constructed in 1994. Measuring approximately 12' x 48. The former engine house, also constructed in 1994, measures approximately 18' x 72' and incorporates numerous custom features reflecting the property's railroad heritage. A 24' x 40' freight house, built in 1998, features six custom doors and could readily serve as a four-car garage, workshop, equipment building or recreational storage facility. The largest structure is the substantial 32' x 106' office and warehouse building, constructed in 2003. The interior is finished with painted drywall has two separate heating and cooling systems. With approximately 40 acres, multiple buildings, creek frontage, National Forest bordering two sides and the AuSable River approximately one mile away, the possibilities here are exceptional.
Single-familyProperty Type
1960Year Built
40 acresLot Size
$56Price/Sq.Ft.
6 car garageParking
Listed by RUTH CLEMENS• COLDWELL BANKER SCHMIDT REALTORS-HL
•989-366-5522 (broker)
•kevin.nagel@cbgreatlakes.com (broker)
Listed by TOM BAILEY• COLDWELL BANKER SCHMIDT REALTORS-HL
A truly one-of-a-kind Northern Michigan property, this remarkable 40-acre parcel offers a rare combination of history, natural beauty, privacy and extraordinary development potential. Surrounded on two sides by the Huron National Forest, the property enjoys a spectacular wooded setting with Comins Creek crossing the rear of the acreage before flowing into the renowned AuSable River, located approximately one mile to the south. Once home to the Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad, this property was originally developed as a popular tourist attraction where visitors boarded a miniature passenger train for an 18-minute scenic journey through the picturesque jack pine forest. While the train itself is no longer on the property, much of the fascinating railroad character remains through an exceptional collection of purpose-built structures. Overlooking the beautiful Comins Creek Valley to the west is a 750-square-foot rustic home, originally built in 1960, offering two bedrooms and two baths. Its peaceful setting and elevated valley views make it an ideal owner's retreat, guest cottage or base for a future recreational venture. Adding tremendous character to the property is a turn-of-the-century-style Victorian railroad station, constructed in 1994. Measuring approximately 12' x 48', the station features custom doors, traditional wood-slat siding and an inviting interior finished in tongue-and-groove wood walls and ceilings. The former engine house, also constructed in 1994, measures approximately 18' x 72' and incorporates numerous custom features reflecting the property's railroad heritage. A 24' x 40' freight house, built in 1998, features six custom doors and could readily serve as an impressive four-car garage, workshop, equipment building or recreational storage facility. The largest structure is the substantial 32' x 106' office and warehouse building, constructed in 2003. The interior is finished with painted drywall and fluorescent lighting and is served by two separate heating and cooling systems. An attached three-car garage provides additional storage and utility. With approximately 40 acres, multiple substantial buildings, creek frontage, National Forest bordering two sides and the AuSable River approximately one mile away, the possibilities here are exceptional. The property could lend itself beautifully to a private family compound, corporate or recreational retreat, outdoor recreation headquarters, event venue, specialty commercial operation, lodging concept, or a revival of its tourism heritage. Few Northern Michigan properties combine this much acreage, infrastructure, history and natural beauty in one setting. The former Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad property represents an opportunity to own not simply 40 acres, but a memorable piece of Northern Michigan history surrounded by the forests and waterways that make the region so special.
MiRealSource-MiMLS #80051338
Aug 11, 2026
Price Changed
$498,000
$56/sq ft
Aug 11, 2026
Relisted
—
Oct 6, 2025
Price Changed
$549,000
$62/sq ft
Oct 10, 2024
Listing Removed
—
Oct 4, 2024
Listed
$750,000
$85/sq ft
REALCOMP #77080051338
Aug 11, 2026
Relisted
—
Aug 11, 2026
Price Changed
$498,000
$56/sq ft
Oct 6, 2025
Price Changed
$549,000
$62/sq ft
Oct 10, 2024
Listing Removed
—
Oct 4, 2024
Listed
$750,000
$85/sq ft
+23
A truly one-of-a-kind Northern Michigan property, this remarkable 40-acre parcel offers a rare combination of history, natural beauty, privacy and extraordinary development potential. Surrounded on two sides by the Huron National Forest, the property enjoys a spectacular wooded setting with Comins Creek crossing the rear of the acreage before flowing into the renowned AuSable River, located approximately one mile to the south. Once home to the Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad, this property was originally developed as a popular tourist attraction where visitors boarded a miniature passenger train for an 18-minute scenic journey through the picturesque jack pine forest. While the train itself is no longer on the property, much of the fascinating railroad character remains through an exceptional collection of purpose-built structures. Overlooking the beautiful Comins Creek Valley is a 750-square-foot rustic home, built in 1960, two bedrooms and two baths. Its peaceful setting and elevated valley views make it an ideal owner's retreat, guest cottage or base for a recreational venture. Adding tremendous character to the property is a turn-of-the-century-style Victorian railroad station, constructed in 1994. Measuring approximately 12' x 48. The former engine house, also constructed in 1994, measures approximately 18' x 72' and incorporates numerous custom features reflecting the property's railroad heritage. A 24' x 40' freight house, built in 1998, features six custom doors and could readily serve as a four-car garage, workshop, equipment building or recreational storage facility. The largest structure is the substantial 32' x 106' office and warehouse building, constructed in 2003. The interior is finished with painted drywall has two separate heating and cooling systems. With approximately 40 acres, multiple buildings, creek frontage, National Forest bordering two sides and the AuSable River approximately one mile away, the possibilities here are exceptional.
MiRealSource-MiMLS #1
Jul 25, 2025
Price Changed
$549,000
$62/sq ft
As the MLS and public records start to fill up, we'll list the details here.
Public record
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Single Family Residential
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Oscoda County
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Last updated by owner on Sep 29, 2026.
Historical weather
Fairview, MI • 48621
Average low and high temperatures (°F)
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Sun exposure
61/ 100
Moderate sunlight
Sunscore
There appears to be some shading by surrounding buildings, terrain, and vegetation.
8.5 hrs
3.4 hrs
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Provided by Shadowmap
Redfin Estimate for 230 S Abbe Rd
$475,679
$22K under list price of $498K
Nearby comparable homes
The Redfin Estimate uses 6 recent nearby sales, priced between $145K to $490K.