Articles
Stories, research, and reflections on the history of St. Helena and the upper Napa Valley.
-
St. Helena Historic Walking Tour
Stroll through the heart of town with our self-guided walking tour. Every building has a story — and this map tells the ones worth stopping for.
-
When the Bale Grist Mill Still Turned
Long before the wineries arrived, grain was the backbone of Napa Valley life. The Bale Grist Mill, built in 1846 by Dr. Edward Turner Bale, was the first and for…
-
A 1923 Letter from the Mayor’s Desk
Recently uncovered in the Society’s document collection, this letter offers a candid glimpse into small-town politics during Prohibition.
-
The Old Depot: What Was and What Remains
The railroad depot once marked the center of commerce in St. Helena. Today only fragments survive, but the story it tells is anything but forgotten.
-
The Families Who Built Main Street
A look at the founding families whose vision shaped the heart of downtown St. Helena — from the first general store to the stone buildings that still stand today.