St Helena California

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The founding of St Helena California had a lot to do with Mexican land grants. The Mexican government granted alarge part of the upper Napa Valley to a doctor from England. The doctor,Edward T. Bale, was one of the many pioneers who arrived in Alta Californiaduring the early 1840’s. Dr. Bale then traded off sections of his very largeland grant to American pioneers who arrived on the scene between 1844 and 1846.Many Americans were arriving in California at a time when Mexico was involvedin a conflict with the U.S.

Hotel St Helena

 Americans Arrive in California
The Bear Flag Revolt was a result ofthis large American immigration into California at a sensitive time. The BearFlag Revolt resulted in an attack on the Mexican headquarters in Sonoma. Nottoo long afterward California was annexed into the United States as a result ofthe peace agreement with Mexico. As we all know, the California Gold Rush whichbegan very shortly the annexation changed things in the Golden State in a bigway. In fact, California gained statehood in 1850, just a few short years afterthe American government took over the region.
Beautiful St. Helena CaliforniaWhere St. Helena California is today was oncethe home of Native American people who were called the Onastis, whichtranslates to the "outspoken ones." The Spaniards and the Mexicansafter them called these people the "Wappo," The tribe was consideredwarlike and as such the name translate into "brave," or"handsome." The first settlers to the area werefarmers. As early as the year 1860, some of these farmers determined that thesoil was advantageous for growing grapes. Two men are considered the pioneersof the Napa Valley wine industry. These were Dr. George Beldon Crane andCharles Krug. Interestingly enough, the areas very first resort, White SulphurSprings, opened in 1852. The wine industry grew considerably in the region andwould not be seriously affected until January 1920.

St Helena California architecture

St. Helena California and several other winecountry towns were able to keep their rural setting in place partly due tothe  their location. During the age ofstagecoaches, getting there was not the easiest thing to do,  mostly because of the hills. This kept therural atmosphere intact for quite a long time. In fact, today you would stillcall it rural. There is no heavy industry in the area and therefore thepopulation growth was slow. St. Helena was fortunate to keep hold of  it’s agricultural heritage and the ruralcharacter is kept that way today by design.
Prohibition and the Great Depression YearsLike the entire nation, in 1920 St’Helena was affected by the passage of the 18^th Amendment. If you’regrowing grapes and selling wine, this was not a good thing. Despite the newlaw, Napa County and St. Helena continued to attract tourists. The road trafficto St’ Helena during the dry years to buy bootlegged wine was so large thatlittle Highway 29 was considered the state’s second busiest road. When you look at a map of Napa Valley , you'll see that Hwy 29 is it's main artery. Prohibition lastedsome thirteen years until the law was repealed. At that time however the nationwas in the grip in what would become the Great Depression.

Main Street, St Helena

The Great Depression put a damper onthe sale of premium wine and as a result St.’ Helena became more quiet and morerural. It actually lasted that way for several decades until the American wineindustry took off again in the early 1970’s. During that decade Americans tookto the road to enjoy the fine wines produced in and around St. Helena as wellas the beautiful hills the general landscape and elegant architecture of thearea. It has continued ever since.
Things to Do in St. HelenaIt’s interesting to note that about95 percent of the vineyards in St. Helena are family owned. Among the manyevents going on each year in St. Helena is the Easter Egg Hunt, free summeroutdoor concerts, the Harvest Festival Pet Parade and the very popular AnnualWine Auction put on by the Napa ValleyVinters Association. St Helena Wineries are fun to visit.
The Charles Krug Winery, established in 1861 by this Prussian immigrant, is the oldest winery inNapa Valley. Krug made his first commercial wine in the town of Napa in 1858. Charles Krug became the major local winery figure in Napa Valley of his era. He influenced Napa Valley's development as a world renown wine producing region.

Shops of St Helena California

You’ll also find interesting ourarticle and photos on the Buena Vista Winery in the town of Sonoma. The Buena Vista Winery was the firstcommercial winery established in Sonoma County. 
In St. Helena you will also want toexplore the Berringer Winery HistoricDistrict. This is one of the most popular sites in Napa Valley. This includes six buildings and three structures. The address is 2000 Main Street.Another area of note is right in themiddle of St. Helena. This is the St.Helena Historic District along Main Street between Adams and SpringStreets. Among the historic buildings you’ll see thirteen cast metal streetlights with Doric Columns and triple globes.
A very short drive north of St’Helena is the Bale Grist Mill. TheBale Grist Mill State Historic Park is a grist mill that was built prior toCalifornia’s statehood. It’s a great side trip to add to your itinerary. Thepark is located just three miles north of St. Helena in Hwy 29.
See our Western Trips article and photos of the Bale Grist Mill.

When your western travels take you to the beautiful California wine region, make sure to make a stop at the very historic town of St Helena. The St Helena restaurants are great, the town is elegant and the choice of fine wineries are numerous. Some of the best Napa wineries you'll find are all around St Helena. You'll also get some terrific St Helena pictures of the town's unique architecture.

(Photos from author's private collection)