AuSable River Scenic Preserve
County: Iosco Established: 2023 Size: 42 Acres
Located near downtown Oscoda, Hull Island is a 42-acre forested tract along the Au Sable River. The dynamic parcel is home to mixed hardwood and pine forests, sudden elevation changes and 3,300 feet of river frontage. Along with having high conservation value for wildlife habitat and water quality protection, the historic site holds great potential for recreation and Huron Pines plans to transfer the property to Charter Township of Oscoda as a public nature preserve.
The preserve will be owned by Oscoda Charter Township and managed in cooperation with Huron Pines.
Click the image to download a fullsize PDF map.
Visitor Information
Access to the AuSable River Scenic Preserve is limited to foot traffic only. There is no parking available on site or within the adjacent subdivision. Oscoda Charter Township, as the end owner, will determine the best access solutions for safety and traffic flow.
Conservation Value
Located centrally in the community of Oscoda, the AuSable River Scenic Preserve is home to northern hardwood forests and wetlands bordered by the Au Sable River. The preserve is home to numerous species of song and marsh birds, turtles, frogs, deer and small mammals. In addition to the wildlife value, the forests and wetlands of the preserve help to capture and filter precipitation and runoff before it enters the Au Sable River and Lake Huron.
History and Future
Hull Island has historical ties to Oscoda’s peak lumber era of around 1870 to 1895.
The island was named after the Hull Ely Mill which stood at the current site of Admiral gas station and the bridge to the island, according to Fred Glass at the AuSable-Oscoda Historical Society & Museum. Finished lumber was stacked on Hull Island before being shipped to places like Chicago as it rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1871.
Lumbermen used dynamite to excavate and straighten the river channel for floating timber to the mill, creating the oxbow which still rings Hull Island today. Oscoda suffered its own fire in 1911, destroying the former mill and much of the town’s historical records.
Huron Pines closed on the property in December 2023 and plans to transfer the property to Charter Township of Oscoda as a public nature preserve.
Activities
Community Science
iNaturalist is a worldwide community science platform that Huron Pines uses to share information about flora (plants) and fauna (animals) found on our properties. View what’s been observed and learn how you can share your own observations below.
