Rancho Carne Humana facts for kids

Rancho Carne Humana was a very large piece of land, about 17,962 acres (72.69 km2), given out in 1841 by Governor Juan Alvarado. This land grant was part of the Ranchos of California and was located in what is now Napa County, California. It was given to a man named Edward Turner Bale.

The name "Carne Humana" means "human flesh" in Spanish. People wonder why this name was chosen. The native people who lived there before called the area "Huilic Noma" or "Colijolmanoc." One idea is that Bale might have changed "Colijolmanoc" to sound like "Carne Humana" as a kind of dark joke. The rancho was at the northern end of the Napa Valley, stretching from where Rutherford is today, all the way north to Calistoga, and included St. Helena.

History of Rancho Carne Humana

Dr. Edward Bale and His Family

Dr. Edward Turner Bale (1810-1849) was a doctor from England. He arrived in Monterey in 1837 and worked there for several years. From 1840 to 1843, he was the main doctor for the California forces, chosen by General Mariano Vallejo.

Dr. Bale married Maria Ygnacia Soberanes, who was the niece of General Vallejo. Because of his connection to General Vallejo, Bale received the large land grant for Rancho Carne Humana in 1841. This land was north of George C. Yount's Rancho Caymus.

Life on the Rancho

Bale and his family moved to Rancho Carne Humana in 1843. He built a grist mill to grind corn and wheat, which was very important for making food. In 1846, he also built a saw-mill to cut wood.

In 1848, Dr. Bale joined the California Gold Rush, hoping to find gold. Sadly, he became sick and passed away at only 38 years old. He left behind his wife, Maria, two sons, and four daughters.

Changes After the Mexican-American War

After the Mexican–American War, California became part of the United States. The 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo said that the land grants given by Mexico would still be honored.

In 1852, Maria Ygnacia Bale filed a claim for Rancho Carne Humana with the Public Land Commission, as required by the Land Act of 1851. Finally, in 1879, the land was officially given to Maria Ygnacia Bale and the children of Edward T. Bale.

Challenges for the Bale Family

Edward Bale had often used parts of his land to pay people for their work. After he died, his family faced money problems. His wife, Maria Ygnacia Bale, had to manage the large estate and worked hard for many years to keep what was left of the original land grant.

Dr. Bale left his cattle to his sons, as cattle were very valuable back then. He gave parts of the land to his daughters as their dowries, which was like a gift when they got married. On one of these land pieces, just north of St. Helena, his daughter Caroline Bale and her husband Charles Krug started planting grapes. This was the beginning of the famous wine industry in Napa Valley.

Historic Sites of Rancho Carne Humana

Many important places from the Rancho Carne Humana era still exist today.

• Bale Grist Mill: This mill was built by Edward T. Bale in 1846. It was used to grind grains like corn and wheat.
• Charles Krug Winery: Founded in 1861 by Charles Krug, this is the oldest winery still operating in Napa Valley. Krug made the first commercial wine in Napa County in 1858.
• York's Cabin: John T. York was the first American to settle in the area that became Calistoga. He built this log cabin in 1845.
• Hudson Cabin: David Hudson was an early settler who helped develop the upper Napa Valley. He bought land, cleared it, planted crops, and built homes. He built his cabin in 1845.
• Sam Brannan Cottage: Between 1859 and 1863, Samuel Brannan bought over 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) at the north end of Napa Valley. He dreamed of making it a famous resort area. This cottage, built in 1866, is the only one remaining from that time.
• Sam Brannan Store: This was the store Samuel Brannan built in Calistoga.
• Kelsey House: Nancy Kelsey arrived in California in 1841 with the Bartleson–Bidwell Party. She and her family settled south of where Calistoga is today.
• Napa Valley Railroad Depot: This train station was built in 1868. The railroad helped bring many people to Samuel Brannan's resort in Calistoga.