Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park
Categories: Active Life Parks Public Services & Government Landmarks & Historical Buildings Parks, Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
3369 Saint Helena Hwy NSt Helena, CA 94574
(707) 942-4575
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
13 reviews for Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park
Review Highlights
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"His enthusiasm for the mill keeps the tour going." In 8 reviews -
"...the milled goods to take home and turn into goodies." In 4 reviews -
"Watch out for poison oak next to the path to the mill." In 2 reviews
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13 reviews in English
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Review from Jenn C.
2/5/2012
Though we don't have the same kind of ancient historical monuments that you might find in Europe - we do have some history and it's worth visiting before it closes down for good!
Sadly, due to cutbacks - this park is only open on the weekends now - this is another great childhood fieldtrip destination. You should stop in if you want to see how the mill works - they have demonstrations and you might even be able to buy some ground flour or corn if they still do that (they did as of a couple years ago).
Great trail and a fun spot to soak in the local flavor. -
Review from Patti S.
Torrance, CA
1/23/2012
Long before grapes became the crop of choice in the Napa Valley, Wheat was the major planted crop during the Spanish and American period. Traveling north on hwy. 29 past Napa, Yountville and just past St. Helena you will come upon the Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park. This mill played an important part in the history of the valley. The present miller gives an interesting, informative tour of the history and operation of the grist mill. It was well worth the time to stop. He actually goes through the process of milling the grain. You can also purchase bags of flour, polenta, spelt, bran and whole grain flour that were milled there. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and learned where the terms, "rule of the thumb", "good to middling", "keeping your nose to the grindstone" and "cock-eyed" originated. These were all terms used during the milling process.
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Review from Linda M.
8/7/2011
This weekend was not my first visit to the Bale Grist Mill...and I hope it's not my last. The mill, run by waterwheel, is open to the public on weekends ($3 adult/$2 child)...that is until Labor Day when it is one of 70 California State Parks scheduled to close due to budget shortfalls.
If you are interested in waterwheels (the largest west of the Mississippi according to the operator), history, gears and conveyor belts, baked goods, or just generally how things work...check it out if you get the chance. The mill is open 10-4 on weekends only and they give detailed tours taking you outside to see the waterwheel operate, and then back inside (two floors) to see all the things that turn, shake, and move up and down to turn wheat and corn into flour and polenta. My son was fascinated by all the things that whirled, especially the 36 ft. waterwheel and the hand crank corn shucking machine. On the tour you'll learn the origins of phrases like "run of the mill," "fair to middling," and "cock eyed." You can even purchase the milled goods to take home and turn into goodies.
A short walk from the small parking lot, the mill is set into a shady spot, though it seems to always be hot inside when I've been there. Over the years they have restored the mill and today it is nearly completely restored in original working order. They've got a one-room museum type display and a few items for sale next to the milling area. Restrooms up the trail. You can also walk a short distance further up the trail towards the original mill pond (now just a dry hole in the ground). If you follow the mill pond trail 2 miles it connects to Bothe State Park (also on the closure list.) Be certain you know what poison oak looks like...there is loads of it.
The mill operators and supporters hope to keep the mill open by taking it over from the state to operate as a concession. I wish them the best of luck. It really is a piece of history to treasure for future generations.Listed in: St. Helena, Parks and Trails
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Review from Susie W.
8/15/2011
Whether you were planning to drive up highway 29 to go wine tasting or not, plan a trip to the Grist Mill if you are a history buff, love seeing how things work, are a baker interested in fresh grains, or are a language hound and want to see for yourself where: nose on the grindstone, cock eyed, and other phrases we use come from. (Isn't that a little more interesting than looking it up online?)
The mill is on the California park closure list. They need support and it really is a hidden gem just off the highway. It's part of a perfect staycation for families and California fanatics at a mere $3.
(Watch out for poison oak next to the path to the mill!) -
Review from Ann L.
3/21/2006 3 photos
we went here after hiking at Bothe-Napa Valley SP, so that's what I recommend. Take the historic trail and take a short detour to see the Pioneer Cemetery (.1 mi). The Bale Grist Mill SHP trail is not flat (1.1 miles one way) (quite steep I thought) cuz there is private property that you can't go through.
The park is the site of a water-powered grist mill that was built in 1846. The mill was owned by Dr. Edward Turner Bale and it remained in use until the early 1900s.
The mill and the 36-foot water wheel are protected as a state historic landmark, you can see the water wheel working on weekends in the winter, but we went on a Mon. so we didn't. Cost to see the inside of the mill is $2 pp.
I recommend this place, go on the weekends.
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Finally got to check it out on a weekend: Sat 2/23/08. We got there at 10am and they were just getting ready. We paid our fees to see the milling demo.
Since they were just getting going, we waited in the room and read more about Dr. Edward Turner Bale and his wife.
Then we went in for the milling demo. Pretty interesting. I liked all the gears and machines that make it work. Hubby even helped out a bit.
We ended up buying FRESH Polenta just milled. A 2lb bag is $3; a 5lb bag is $6. We bought 2-5lb bags of Polenta! We are freezing up one bag now.
Other kinds of flour they have: pastry; bread; corn meal; and polenta.
They also sell cookbooks, postcards, wooden spoons, and ladles.
Worth checking out! Two bathrooms available and they have flushed toilets & sink. Not too far from the Mill.
Adults $2; Children FREE. Pay at Mill. FREE Parking. Hrs: 10a-5pListed in: places to hike
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Review from David L.
Daly City, CA
2/2/2011
Awesome find!
We were looking for something to do before we headed back to the City and saw a large sign for this Historic Landmark so we decided to stop by and check it out. After driving up a narrow paved road we arrived to a parking lot with a few parking spots (free). We walked down a trail and over a bridge to get to the mill. We were greeted by one of the staffers and he asked if we would like to take a tour for $3 each (heck yeah!).
We begin the tour by going outside for a brief history lesson and to take a look at the wheel. They then start up the wheel, which was really cool and operate it for a few good moments. Then we went inside to check out the innards of the mill and once again they operated it but this perspective was from the inside and we got to see them actually mill. They do have some souvenirs for purchase and they do sell some of the grain that they mill. We bought two bags of polenta for $5 each and chatted up the employees for a little bit. -
Review from SC ..
Oakland, CA
2/8/2011
We saw this place on the map and thought it might just be a historical site with the remnants of a foundation, some stones and a sign proclaiming the history of what was once here. We stopped by and were thoroughly impressed by the tour and the restoration of the old grist mill. The old guys who run the tour are really invested in maintaining the machinery as well as the history of the old mill. It was really amazing to see them fire up the old machine and watch them mill some grains down, then buy a little sack of stone ground polenta to take home. The staff working there also offered up coupons to free beer tastings at the local brewery, how cool is that? We cooked up the polenta and had some friends over for dinner, it tasted great and it was fun to serve a dish with a story behind it.
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Review from Dan H.
Santa Rosa, CA
4/18/2011
Worth the $3 to take the tour. Although it can be a little dry and long for kids, there are TONS of interesting segments.
Our tour guide Jim was a wealth of knowledge about this particular mill and its history. His enthusiasm for the mill keeps the tour going. He is also the person who actually mills the grain as well as maintains the mill itself.
The area around is beautiful to hike through as well. Lush foliage and running creeks. -
Review from Ellen C.
Sacramento, CA
4/24/2011
I am really embarassed by how many times I've driven past this spot and thought, "Sometime, I'll go there." Well, my husband got me in and I owe him! It is a lovely location to wander about and the tour is darn right fascinating! And polenta for a souvenir, ground right there? How cool is that????
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Review from Bob S.
San Bruno, CA
1/19/2011
2011-01-16: We had a nice 1 mile hike to here from Bothe Napa Ritchey Creek Camp Ground were we were staying for the weekend. Due to budgetary constraints it now costs $3.00 admission per person into the museum buildings. Before it was included in the day use parking fee. I've been in before so this time just opted for sitting out at the picnic tables having some energy snacks to power up for the walk back and waiting for the water wheel to be ran for the demonstration of wheat milling. For a donation the wheat milled on site is available to take home. The restrooms here are very clean as appreciated by the wife. After the tour theres not much else to do so I recommend doing as we did and hike to or from the campground or picnic area at Bothe to allow spending a little more time in this pleasant area.
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Review from Patrick L.
Sunnyvale, CA
9/30/2009
For a refreshing change from the Disney-fied, international mega-corp theme parks that most of Napa has become, stop by this state park.
Do not miss the (free) tour from Eric, the licensed miller who is also the main proprietor. He is an encyclopedia of historical and mechanical information. Under his direction, the fully functional mill is being restored using 1800s schematics.
Take home a bag of fresh flour, ground before your eyes using nothing but water power. And be sure to leave a nice donation for this remarkable historic park. -
Review from A G.
Beverly Hills, CA
7/18/2008
I strongly second Ann L.'s review of the mill. This is truly a hidden gem in wine country -- at the very least, it's a lovely, picturesque place to enjoy a wine country picnic (there's at least one table, and of course the mill wheel and mill house are the beautiful backdrop -- and it's all under shade trees). But, with the (working) mill itself, the friendly people working there, the various mill flours you can buy (we made delicious banana bread with the whole wheat pastry flour), etc, it's much, much more. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
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Review from Peter C.
Petaluma, CA
5/7/2009
Our visit on a refreshing rainy day really explemplified the wonders of a visit at the right time and the right place. After all, a mill runs best when really wet. Duh !!! The demonstration of a fully operational mill gave us an opportunity to witness what it was like during the mid-1800's in early California. Our participation in grinding and making some flour was not only educational but capped a good day of relaxation. The tour guide was quite thorough and knowledgeable in the history and science and engineering of the Bale Grist Mill. The guide had my daughter do some of the basic operation of running the machinery and the other gadgets. The tour group we were with came from a community college down in San Jose. Everyone seemed quite impressed. There was even an unexpected site of viewing a large group of sleeping Mexican bats nestled high up in the celing. Finally, the package of flour we brought home from the Mill made excellent pancakes. Overall, this is a wonderful place to visit, especially on a rainy day.
