Photograph of a water wheel developed by Dr. Edward Bale in 1847 in Saint Helena, Napa County, California, ca.1900. The water wheel is about two stories tall and is almost entirely covered by vines. The wheel is attached to the two-story building behind it. Vines partially cover parts of the building. Bushes and scrub grass cover the area around the building and the wheel. The branches and leaves of a tree in the foreground dangles above. Photoprint reads: "California wheat produced a good quality of flour. The Spanish Californian had produced scarcely enough grain for his own use, and was content to grind it to grist by crude mills. The Americans quickly applied water power to the mills erected in the early forties at various places. This mill was erected in 1846-187 by Dr. Edward Bale (or Blake?). For many years it has remained a picturesque landmark of pioneer days."
California Historical Society Collection, 1860-1960
