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Bale Grist Mill State Historic 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. 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. The mill remained in use until the early 1900s.
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.
Park News Alert
Service Reductions are in place at this park.
Open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm.
Closed Monday - Friday
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Service Reductions are in place at this park.
Open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm.
Closed Monday - Friday
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Getting There
The historic park is three miles north of St. Helena (3369 N St.) on Highway 29.
Latitude/Longitude: 38.5052 / -122.4691
The historic park is three miles north of St. Helena (3369 N St.) on Highway 29.
Latitude/Longitude: 38.5052 / -122.4691
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.
The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.
Operating Hours
Open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm
Closed Monday - Friday
Tuesdays: Pre-scheduled School Group Tours only. Reservations can be made by calling Bothe-Napa Valley State Park (telephone below).
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Please call the park prior to visiting.
Telephone: 707-942-4575
Open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm
Closed Monday - Friday
Tuesdays: Pre-scheduled School Group Tours only. Reservations can be made by calling Bothe-Napa Valley State Park (telephone below).
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Please call the park prior to visiting.
Telephone: 707-942-4575
Facilities and Activities
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.
Milling demonstrations and historic tours are offered on weekends.
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.
Milling demonstrations and historic tours are offered on weekends.
About the Mill
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.
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 spoon bread.
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 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.
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 spoon bread.
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."
Accessible Features
The first floor of the Bale Grist Mill is generally accessible. A ramped connector also provides museum access. Exhibits are mostly accessible. There is designated accessible parking. An 850-foot-long paved accessible path leads from parking to the mill and museum. Stair rails and risers on an alternate route are usable. Unisex restrooms on path are generally accessible.
The first floor of the Bale Grist Mill is generally accessible. A ramped connector also provides museum access. Exhibits are mostly accessible. There is designated accessible parking. An 850-foot-long paved accessible path leads from parking to the mill and museum. Stair rails and risers on an alternate route are usable. Unisex restrooms on path are generally accessible.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Napa Valley Woodlands, Pioneer Cemetery, and Grist Mill
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park: Out and back hike to the Historic Bale Grist Mill.
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park: Out and back hike to the Historic Bale Grist Mill.
Easy
3.1 mi/
5.0 km
5.0 km
Guides
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park: Out and back hike to the Historic Bale Grist Mill.
Nearby Community Trips
Half marathon on beautiful trails in Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, organized by Enviro Sports. We ran with a group from Stanford Business School: Nicholas, Guy, Andre, Jeff and Brett. I finished 6th overall in the half marathon.
