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Coarsegold Historical Place in Madera County

This mountain community located at an elevation of 2,218 feet has a little bit of everything you want in a rural town. Coarsegold got its start in 1849 when “large nuggets” of gold were discovered. Although Coarsegold has gone through many transitions we honor the historic Indian culture, annual events, museum, and gold panning to name a few. Coarsegold is located on Highway 41, between Fresno and the ever-beautiful Yosemite Valley.

Coarsegold Historical Society & Museum

In the Beginning. A dedicated group of people living in Coarsegold gathered together to confirm their interest in local history. They established an agenda of regular meetings and made plans for fundraising events to support their efforts. The decision was made to incorporate as the Coarsegold Historical Society, This was accomplished on January 5, 1981.

The more they learned, the greater their desire to share the wonderful history of Eastern Madera County with everyone. After interviewing many long-time residents of the area, a book, As We Were Told became a reality.

Today....If our pride shows, it is because so many have purchased our book, enjoyed its contents, and found that knowledge of our area has had a lasting effect on them.

Our hope now became a desire for a location where historical artifacts could be accepted for display for everyone to see and enjoy as a part of Eastern Madera County's heritage.

In 1991, the opportunity to attain property containing part of the old freight wagon road with an original historical adobe freight way-station plus a barn which could be used as a museum became available in Willow Glen. Since it was just the right location for a Coarsegold museum, the work began by many dedicated people. Their enthusiasm was sustained as the donation and artifacts arrived at the site.

In The FutureWith fundraising, membership, book sales., the barn became a museum. In 1994 the Picayune School was moved on to the property and is now restored and listed on the CA Register of Historic Sites. With time and work, the adobe will be restored to what it was when used as a horse-drawn freight way station in the 1800s. And the continued support of the community will bring to reality the hope, the pride, and the dream of years.

We invite you to come and join us in our effort to make the Willow Glen Museum (Re-named now to Coarsegold Historic Museum) an object of pride in our local community. We meet once a month to plan fundraising events, and we spend one workday each week tending to all the needs of a museum and research library. Your help to create a lasting memory would be welcome.

The museum is located at 31899 Highway 41, just south or the Chukchansi Gold Casino in Coarsegold.