Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park
Encyclopedia
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park is a California
state park
located in Napa County
between St. Helena
and Calistoga
. The park is the site of a water-powered grist mill that was built in 1846. It was once the center of social activity as Napa Valley settlers gathered to have their corn
and wheat
ground into meal
or flour
. Farmers brought grain to the mill where it was placed into the boot of an elevator to be mechanically transported upstairs where it was cleaned by various types of equipment. The slow turning of the old grind stones and the dampness of the mill's site gave the meal a special quality for making cornbread, yellowbread, shortening bread and spoonbread
. As old timers put it, "When meal comes to you that way, like the heated underside of a settin' hen, it bakes bread that makes city bread taste like cardboard."
The owner of the mill was Dr. Edward Turner Bale. He received the property in a land grant from the Mexican
government and lived near the site until his death in 1849. In 1871, Theodore Benedict Lyman
bought the mill and surrounding land. He passed it on to his son, William Whittingham Lyman
, and in their care the mill remained in use until the early 1900s.
The gristmill and granary
were built with local materials, Douglas firs and coast redwoods. Some timbers were cut to length with the bark left on, while others were roughed out with hand tools. The timbers were notched and held in place with wooden pegs as well as nails and screws. The foundation of the structure is native stone. The mill was powered by a waterwheel, with water diverted from Mill Creek nearby. A ditch carried the water from a millpond to a wooden flume, which brought the water to the top of the waterwheel. The first wheel did not provide enough power during dry summers and was replaced by a larger one, similar to the one at the mill today.
, and through them the mill was restored during a period in the late 1960s and early 1970s thanks to the efforts of the Native Son Parlors of Napa County, under the leadership of past Grand President Bismarck Bruck, a grandson of Dr. Bale.
The mill and its 36-foot water wheel
are protected as a state historic landmark and have been partially restored. A trail connects the historic park to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
. Additionally, the park includes the site of the first church in the Napa Valley as well as the Pioneer Cemetery.
Visitors can hike from the mill on the historic trail to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
, which features extensive picnic
facilities and a number of trails. The round trip hike from Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is approximately two miles.
In 2011 during the ongoing California budget crisis
, the mill and adjacent park were among those targeted to be closed due to lack of funding. The Napa Valley State Park Association petitioned the state to operate the park in order to avoid closure.
Milling demonstrations and tours of the historic mill are offered on weekends.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
state park
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
located in Napa County
Napa County, California
Napa County is a county located north of the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S. state of California. It is coterminous with the Napa, California, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010 the population is 136,484. The county seat is Napa....
between St. Helena
St. Helena, California
St. Helena is a city in Napa County, California, United States. It is part of the northern San Francisco Bay Area. The population was 5,814 at the 2010 census....
and Calistoga
Calistoga, California
Calistoga is a city in Napa County, California, United States. The population was 5,155 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , 99.30% of it land and 0.70% of it water.-Climate:...
. The park is the site of a water-powered grist mill that was built in 1846. It was once the center of social activity as Napa Valley settlers gathered to have their corn
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
and wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
ground into meal
Meal
A meal is an instance of eating, specifically one that takes place at a specific time and includes specific, prepared food.Meals occur primarily at homes, restaurants, and cafeterias, but may occur anywhere. Regular meals occur on a daily basis, typically several times a day...
or flour
Flour
Flour is a powder which is made by grinding cereal grains, other seeds or roots . It is the main ingredient of bread, which is a staple food for many cultures, making the availability of adequate supplies of flour a major economic and political issue at various times throughout history...
. Farmers brought grain to the mill where it was placed into the boot of an elevator to be mechanically transported upstairs where it was cleaned by various types of equipment. The slow turning of the old grind stones and the dampness of the mill's site gave the meal a special quality for making cornbread, yellowbread, shortening bread and spoonbread
Spoonbread
Spoonbread is a moist cornmeal-based dish prevalent in parts of the Southern United States.Although named a "bread", spoonbread is closer in consistency and taste to many savory puddings, such as Yorkshire pudding. As made by some recipes, spoonbread is similar to a cornmeal soufflé, although...
. As old timers put it, "When meal comes to you that way, like the heated underside of a settin' hen, it bakes bread that makes city bread taste like cardboard."
The owner of the mill was Dr. Edward Turner Bale. He received the property in a land grant from the Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
government and lived near the site until his death in 1849. In 1871, Theodore Benedict Lyman
Theodore Benedict Lyman
Theodore Benedict Lyman , was the fourth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. He was born in Brighton, Massachusetts. Father of William Whittingham Lyman...
bought the mill and surrounding land. He passed it on to his son, William Whittingham Lyman
William Whittingham Lyman
William Whittingham Lyman was the son of Theodore Benedict Lyman. He built the Lyman winery, now known as the El Molino winery. At one point owned what has now become Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park. He helped found Grace Episcopal Church of St. Helena, California...
, and in their care the mill remained in use until the early 1900s.
The gristmill and granary
Granary
A granary is a storehouse for threshed grain or animal feed. In ancient or primitive granaries, pottery is the most common use of storage in these buildings. Granaries are often built above the ground to keep the stored food away from mice and other animals.-Early origins:From ancient times grain...
were built with local materials, Douglas firs and coast redwoods. Some timbers were cut to length with the bark left on, while others were roughed out with hand tools. The timbers were notched and held in place with wooden pegs as well as nails and screws. The foundation of the structure is native stone. The mill was powered by a waterwheel, with water diverted from Mill Creek nearby. A ditch carried the water from a millpond to a wooden flume, which brought the water to the top of the waterwheel. The first wheel did not provide enough power during dry summers and was replaced by a larger one, similar to the one at the mill today.
Restoration
After William Lyman's death, it appears his wife, Mrs. deeded it to the Native Sons of the Golden WestNative Sons of the Golden West
-History:The Native Sons of the Golden West was founded July 11, 1875 by General A. M. Winn, a Virginian, as a lasting monument to the men and women of the Gold Rush Days...
, and through them the mill was restored during a period in the late 1960s and early 1970s thanks to the efforts of the Native Son Parlors of Napa County, under the leadership of past Grand President Bismarck Bruck, a grandson of Dr. Bale.
The mill and its 36-foot water wheel
Water wheel
A water wheel is a machine for converting the energy of free-flowing or falling water into useful forms of power. A water wheel consists of a large wooden or metal wheel, with a number of blades or buckets arranged on the outside rim forming the driving surface...
are protected as a state historic landmark and have been partially restored. A trail connects the historic park to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is a state park of California, USA, preserving forested land in Napa Valley. It contains the farthest inland coast redwoods in a California state park...
. Additionally, the park includes the site of the first church in the Napa Valley as well as the Pioneer Cemetery.
Visitors can hike from the mill on the historic trail to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is a state park of California, USA, preserving forested land in Napa Valley. It contains the farthest inland coast redwoods in a California state park...
, which features extensive picnic
Picnic
In contemporary usage, a picnic can be defined simply as a pleasure excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors , ideally taking place in a beautiful landscape such as a park, beside a lake or with an interesting view and possibly at a public event such as before an open air theatre performance,...
facilities and a number of trails. The round trip hike from Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is approximately two miles.
In 2011 during the ongoing California budget crisis
Politics of California
The recent and current politics of the U.S. state of California are complex and involve a number of entrenched interests. .-Political issues:...
, the mill and adjacent park were among those targeted to be closed due to lack of funding. The Napa Valley State Park Association petitioned the state to operate the park in order to avoid closure.
Milling demonstrations and tours of the historic mill are offered on weekends.