BALE GRIST MILL STATE PARK

THIS PARK IS JUST SOUTH OF BOTHE NAPA STATE PARKS. WE VISITED THIS A NUMBER OF TIMES AS IT WAS A PLACE MY SON LIKE TO VISIT IN ORDER TO WATCH THE OPERATING WATER WHEEL AND WATER POWERED GRIST MILL INSIDE. THE MILL WAS BUILT IN 1846 OF REDWOOD. IT WAS THE CENTER OF SOCIAL ACTIVITY IN NAPA VALLEY AS SETTLERS GATHERED HERETO HAVE THEIR CORN AND WHEAT MILLED HERE. THE MILL WAS OWNED BY DR. BALE AND HE BOUGHT IT IN A LAND GRANT FROM THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT. HE LIVED NEAR IT UNTIL 1849 WHEN HE DIED. THE MILLED REMAINED IN USE UNTIL THE EARLY 1900'S.

THE MILL HAD A 36 ' WATER WHEEL OF REDWOOD AND IT AS WELL AS THE BUILDING HAVE BEEN RESTORED. THEY SHOW HOW THE MILL WORKS ON WEEKENDS ONLY. AND THEY SELL MILLED WHEAT BREAD. WE HAVE HIKED ON MANY TRAILS HERE ALONG THE CREEK. THEY HAD A GRANARY BUILT WITH LOCAL DOUG FIR AND REDWOODS. THE TIMBERS WERE NOTCHED AND HELD IN WOODEN PEGS AS WELL AS NAILS AND SCREWS. THEY HAD A DITCH BRING THE WATER FROM A MILL POND TO THE TOP OF THE WOODEN FLUME, WHICH BROUGHT WATER TO THE WATER WHEEL. THE WATER WHEEL TURNED GRIND STONES AND THE DAMPNESS OF THE MILL'S SITE GAVE THE MEAL A SPECIAL QUALITY FOR MAKING CORNBREAD AND SPOON BREAD.

OLD TIMER'S SAID "WHEN MEAL COMES TO YOU THAT WAY LIKE THE HEATED UNDERSIDE OF A SITTIN HEN, IT BAKES THE BREAD AND MAKES CITY BREAD TASTE LIKE CARDBOARD". THE PARK IS OPEN ONLY ON WEEKENDS.

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