Korbel Station was the terminus of the Fulton-Guerneville branch of the Northwestern Pacific Railway, which began operations on May 29, 1872. The railway was intended to replace the slow oxen team method of hauling timber and passengers to San Rafael, a round trip that had previously taken nine days by oxen. In 1877 the line was extended to Guerneville and eventually to Cazadero. The railway, which started as a standard gauge, operated until November 14, 1935, when the county road that now exists was opened. The station on its original site was purchased by F. Korbel & Bros. from the Northwestern Pacific for five dollars.