Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Bale Mill
|
|
 |
|
 Location in California
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Napa County, California |
|---|---|
| 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. You can find it between the towns of St. Helena and Calistoga. The park is home to a very old water-powered mill. This mill was built way back in 1846. It is one of only two water-driven mills still existing west of the Mississippi River.
Contents
The Mill's History
Building the Mill
The Bale Grist Mill was started in 1846. It was built by Dr. Edward Turner Bale. He built it on land he owned from a special land grant called Rancho Carne Humana. Dr. Bale lived near the mill until he passed away in 1849.
The mill and its storage building, called a granary, were made from local wood. Workers used Douglas fir and coast redwood trees. Some large pieces of wood were cut with their bark still on. Others were shaped roughly with hand tools. The wood pieces were fitted together with notches. They were held in place with wooden pegs, nails, and screws. The base of the mill was made from local stone.
How the Waterwheel Worked
The mill got its power from a large water wheel. Water was taken from a nearby stream called Mill Creek. A ditch carried this water from a pond to a wooden channel, or flume. This flume brought the water to the top of the waterwheel. The first waterwheel was not strong enough in dry summers. So, it was replaced with a bigger one. The wheel you see at the mill today is similar to that larger one.
A Community Hub
The mill was once a very important place for people. Settlers in the Napa Valley would gather there. They brought their corn and wheat to be ground into meal or flour. Farmers would put their grain into a special elevator. This elevator would carry the grain upstairs to be cleaned.
The mill's slow-turning grindstones and damp air gave the meal a unique quality. People said it made delicious cornbread and other baked goods. The mill was a busy place where people met and shared news.
Later Owners
Theodore Benedict Lyman bought the mill and its land in 1871. Later, his son, William Whittingham Lyman, took over ownership. The mill continued to operate until 1879.
Bringing the Mill Back to Life
Restoration Efforts
After William Lyman passed away, his wife, Sarah A. Nowland, gave the property to a group called the Native Sons of the Golden West. This group helped restore the mill. The restoration work happened in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Many people from Napa County helped with this important project.
Today, the mill and its large 36-foot water wheel are protected. They are a state historic landmark. Parts of the mill have been carefully restored.
Visiting the Park Today
You can visit the Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park. There is a trail that connects it to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. This other park has great places for picnics and many trails. The walk between the two parks is about two miles round trip.
The park also includes the site of the first church in the Napa Valley. You can also find the Pioneer Cemetery there.
Keeping the Mill Open
In 2011, there was a budget problem in California. The mill and its park were almost closed. But the Napa Valley State Park Association stepped in. They worked to keep the park open.
Now, you can see milling demonstrations and take tours of the historic mill on weekends. In 2014, a new law was passed. It allowed the mill to sell flour to visitors starting in 2016. This helps pay for the mill's upkeep and keeps this amazing piece of history alive.
Images for kids
-
The historic Bale Grist Mill
-
The large waterwheel that powers the mill
-
Inside the Bale Grist Mill
