Chiles Grist Mill!

Chiles Grist Mill
Landmark #547 Napa County Visited: July 12, 2014 Plaque?  YES! 🙂
What is it? A plaque marking the site of the first American flour mill in California!
What makes it historical? THE GUIDE SAYS: Joseph Ballinger Chiles, who first came to California in 1841, erected the mill on Rancho Catacula 1845-56. The first American flour mill in Northern California, it was still in use in the 1880s. Chiles served as a vice president of the Society of California Pioneers, 1850-53.

OTHER TIDBITS: Mr. Chiles was also responsible for boosting Napa Valley’s popularity back east and encouraging more people to come out and give it a try!

How can I Help the Helpers? HERE’S HOW:

  • Become a friend of the Society of California Pioneers!
  • Donate to the Society of California Pioneers!
  • Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
Where is this place? LISTED DIRECTIONS:
SW corner on hillside
Chiles and Pope Rd and Lower Chiles Valley Rd
3.6 mi N on Hwy 128
St. Helena, CA 94574

ANNOTATIONS:
Chiles Road and Pope Road don’t exist! It’s called Chiles Pope Valley Road, and the plaque sits about 10 feet above where it intersects Lower Chiles Valley Road! You’ll see a gate; I call it a navi-gate!

From Los Angeles: ~426mi (686km) — 7.1hrs
From Sacramento: ~62mi (100km) — 1.1hrs
From San Diego: ~546mi (879km) — 9.1hrs
From San Francisco: ~72mi (116km) — 1.2hrs

When should I go? Whenever the mood strikes you!

Click here to see more California historical landmarks!

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