[6] The park also has some unique archaeological sites including the "Indian Bathtubs", which are large basins in the granite bedrock near the ponds.

[7][8] John J. Doyle in the mid-1880s acquired a 160 acres (64.7 ha) parcel in the area that corresponds today to Balch Park.

Doyle established a resort that he called "Summer Home", with the intent of selling up to 125 lots to be developed with cabins.

The president of San Joaquin Light and Power, Allan C. Balch, eventually decided against logging the trees and donated the property in 1930 to Tulare County for a park to be named after him and his wife.

However, this was prevented by the terms of the original donation, and Balch Park today remains under control of Tulare County.