Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bale Mill
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | Napa County, California |
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| Nearest city | St. Helena, California |
| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1846 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000240 |
| Added to NRHP | June 22, 1972 |
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park is a special California state park. It is found in Napa County. The park is located between the towns of St. Helena and Calistoga. This park is home to a very old water-powered grist mill. A grist mill is a place where grain is ground into flour or meal. This mill was built in 1846. It is one of only two water-driven mills still standing west of the Mississippi River.
Contents
The Mill's Story: How It Began
The mill was started in 1846 by Dr. Edward Turner Bale. He built it on land from the Rancho Carne Humana land grant. Dr. Bale lived near the mill until he passed away in 1849.
Building the Mill: Local Materials and Power
The gristmill and its granary (a building for storing grain) were built using local materials. Workers used strong Douglas fir and coast redwood trees. Some large timbers were cut to size with their bark still on. Others were shaped roughly using hand tools.
The wooden pieces were joined together with notches. They were held in place using wooden pegs, nails, and screws. The base of the mill was made from local stone. The mill got its power from a large water wheel. Water was taken from a nearby stream called Mill Creek. A ditch carried the water from a millpond. This water then flowed through a wooden channel, called a flume. It brought the water to the top of the waterwheel. The first wheel was not strong enough in dry summers. So, it was replaced with a bigger one, similar to the one you can see today.
A Busy Place: Grinding Grain and Community Life
The mill was once a very important place for people in the Napa Valley. Settlers would gather there to have their corn and wheat ground. They turned it into meal or flour. Farmers brought their grain to the mill. It was then put into a special boot. From there, an elevator would carry it upstairs. Up there, machines would clean the grain.
The old grindstones turned slowly. The mill's damp air gave the meal a special quality. This made it perfect for baking different kinds of bread. People used it for cornbread, yellowbread, shortening bread, and spoonbread. Old-timers would say that the meal from this mill made city bread taste like cardboard!
New Owners and Closing Down
Theodore Benedict Lyman bought the mill and the land around it in 1871. Later, his son, William Whittingham Lyman, took over ownership. The mill continued to operate for a few more years. It finally stopped grinding grain in 1879.
Bringing the Mill Back to Life
After William Lyman passed away, his wife, Mrs. Sarah A. Nowland, gave the property to the Native Sons of the Golden West. This group helped restore the mill. The restoration happened in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Local groups of the Native Sons of Napa County worked hard on this project. They were led by Bismarck Bruck, who was a grandson of Dr. Bale.
The mill and its large 36-foot water wheel are now protected. They are a state historic landmark. Parts of the mill have been carefully restored.
Exploring the Park: Trails and History
A walking trail connects the historic park to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. You can hike from the mill on this trail. Bothe-Napa Valley State Park has great places for picnics and many other trails. The round trip hike from Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is about two miles.
The park also includes the site of the first church in the Napa Valley. You can also find the Pioneer Cemetery there.
Saving the Mill: Community Efforts
In 2011, California faced a budget problem. The mill and the park were at risk of closing because there wasn't enough money. But the Napa Valley State Park Association stepped in. They asked the state if they could help run the park. This effort helped keep the park from closing down.
Today, you can see milling demonstrations and take tours of the historic mill. These are offered on weekends. In 2014, a new law was passed. It allowed the mill to sell the flour it produces to visitors. This started on January 1, 2016. Selling flour helps pay for the mill's upkeep and keeps this amazing piece of history alive.
Images for kids
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The Bale Mill building
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The large water wheel that powers the mill
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Inside the historic Bale Mill
