Broken Bit to see new life in Coarsegold

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- New life is being brought to a decades old Coarsegold landmark. The Broken Bit sat vacant for more than 25 years. It sits right off of Highway 41 on the way to Yosemite.

Coarsegold residents know the place well. And the rumors of what it once was are perhaps larger than the actual history of the Broken Bit. Former busboy Mike Cash remembers the bustling and fancy restaurant like it was yesterday.

Ironically, Cash was hired to change the locks for the new owners. It's the first time he's been on the property since 1979.

Not a lot has changed in 36 years. But what has changed and morphed over the years are the stories about what's happened behind these walls. Tanner Tweed, the new owner, has heard stories about a brothel upstairs.

Tweed said, "We've heard of presidents coming in on the railroad behind the building, we've heard of ghost, we've heard a lot of things, a lot of history."

Tweed says nothing will be demolished. And the first order of business is to clean up the old site and preserve what's irreplaceable.

The developer says they plan to hold some sort of town meeting to get input from local residents and government officials. And to collect ideas about what Coarsegold residents would like to see at the Broken Bit.