Do you want to own a roadside attraction?
For $299,000, an oddities museum, a gravitational house and a gemstone-mining attraction in the Irish Hills in Onsted, Michigan, could fulfill those dreams.
Mystery Hill, a two-parcel property of nearly acres located along U.S. 12, a few miles from Michigan International Speedway, has been around for almost 75 years.
Now, owner Dirk Dole of Templeton, California, is looking for someone to continue its legacy. Dole bought it about four years ago in an effort to build the place up and is now looking for someone to continue the operation, which he said brings in about $25,000 annually in the 72 days it’s open between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
“I’ve done the hard work. I’ve got it all restored. I’ve got it up and functioning. It’s a profitable business,” Dole said. “Now, I’m ready to move it on to the next person, and then I’ll go out and find something else to work on.”
Dole owns four other roadside attractions, including Crystal Gold Mine in Kellogg, Idaho, Crystal Cave in Springfield, Missouri, Mr. Putters in Atascadero, California.
Dirk also owns Meteor City off of Route 66 in Winslow, Arizona, and is looking to sell it for $499,000.
Dirk said the ideal roadside attraction buyer is someone who sees the value in family time, wants to watch young families enjoy themselves and can be an entertainer telling the stories of the gravitational forces and the rest of the attraction.
“You have to be kind of an outgoing, fun-loving person,” he said. “It’s a very happy business. It’s people there enjoying themselves. It’s positive feedback, for sure.”
Dirk said the most unique part of the property is the gravitational forces.
“When you participate on our guided tour, you will see things of mystery,” Dole said. “You’ll see the ball that rolls uphill instead of downhill. You’ll see water that flows in the opposite direction. It’s just these oddities of wonder.”
The attraction also includes a small gift shop, gemstone sluicing—mining for gemstones using water— and Ward Hall’s Strange Oddities, which used to travel the country showing traveling performers and two-headed animals, Dole said.
People interested in buying Mystery Hill can call 805-538-5076 or send an email through the website visitmysteryhill.com. Cash sale is preferred, though some owner financing is possible, Dole said. He is also open to possible trades.
Contact Natalie Davies at ndavies@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Nearly 75-year-old roadside attraction for sale in Onsted
Reporting by Natalie Davies, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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