80-acre California town that drew 250 eBay bids is going up for sale again
Bridgeville, a small Northern California town, is returning to the real estate market after a history of failed development attempts and high-profile eBay auctions. The current owner is seeking a buyer who can honor the community-focused vision of her late son.
Why it matters
The story highlights the unique challenges of private town ownership and the intersection of digital commerce with real estate.
Bridgeville, a small town in Northern California, made history in 2002 when it was put up for sale on eBay. The 80-acre property attracted 250 bids during a month-long auction, with the highest bid reaching $1,777,877. Now, 24 years later, Bridgeville is preparing to return to the property market.Located along the Van Duzen River, Bridgeville is about 45 miles southeast of Eureka and 26 miles east of Fortuna, according to Realtor.com. The rural community has an estimated population of only 25 people and is surrounded by redwood trees. The property has gone through several owners since it first gained attention on eBay.The town was initially listed by its former owner, Elizabeth Lapple, with a minimum bid of $775,000. Although the auction attracted strong interest, the winning bidder later backed out after learning about the amount of work the town needed.
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