Dr. Edward Turner Bale

These markers are located about half way between parking area and the mill.

Upper Marker:
This historic grist mill known as the “Bale Mill” was erected by Dr. E.T. Bale, Grantee Carne Human Rancho, in 1846. The mill with its surrounding land was deeded to the Native Sons of the Golden West by Mrs. W.W. Lyman. Restored through the efforts of the Native Son Parlors of Napa County. Under the leadership of past Grand President Bismark Bruck, a grandson of Dr. Bale, and by the Historic Landmarks Committee of the Native Sons of the Golden West. The restored mill was dedicated June 21, 1925.
Tablet placed by Historic Landmarks Committee,
Native Sons of the Golden West
Lower Marker:
OLD BALE MILL
Rededicated October 1, 1988
By
Napa Valley Parlors
and the
Grand Parlor
Native Sons of the Golden West
Frank Compani, President
Click for more information.

An Interpretive Panel on the trail to the mill.
Waterwheels have been used for some 2,000 years. Such early mechanical inventions were an important way for people of the past to use available resources. These wheels provided tireless and consistent power for many kids of milling machines. Their basic designs changed little, and millers used the type best suited to each mill condition.

--Horizontal waterwheels were driven by water diverted from fast-moving streams.
--Breasted waterwheels received the water’s impact at about midlevel of the vertical height.
--Undershot wheels turned as fast-moving water hit the lowest part of the wheel.

The Bale Mill’s overshot wheel is a type often used where the water source was high. Power came from the weight of falling water rather than its force of flow.

Water from Mill Creek, diverted by upstream dams, was delivered by ditches and flumes to operate the Bale Mill’s waterwheel.

Interpretive panel on the trail to the mill.
Grist mills were central to early American agriculture. Thomas Jefferson wrote to a friend, “…there is no neighborhood in any part of the United States without a water grist mill for grinding the corn of the neighborhood.” The 1840 census showed 23,661 small mills operating on a toll basis – the miller earning a percentage of the grain – and serving a U.S. population of 17 million.

A mill became a community social center. Farmers brought in grains (grist) and stayed to exchange market news of gossip, Good will came with grinding a neighbor’s grist, and all the miller’s customers were neighbors. The miller became prominent to the community, building a business to be handed down for generations.

The Bale Mill’s granary was used for more than storage. Its size and closeness to the valley’s main roads made it ideal for meetings, social gatherings, and even dances.

Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress) HABS CAL,28-CAL.V,1-
Click for more information.

Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress) HABS CAL,28-CAL.V,1-
Click for more information.

Description on Postcard:
This relic of pioneer days is located between St.Helena and Calistoga. Built in 1846 by Dr. Edward T.Bale,it furnished flour to the residents of the Napa Valley for over thirty-five years. Still standing with its overshot water wheel of 45 feet now idle,this historic building is a landmark for tourists.