After becoming a citizen of Mexico in March 1841, in June, Bale was granted the Rancho Carne Humana, which comprised the land between what is now Rutherford and Calistoga, California.
Construction of the Bale Grist Mill located between St. Helena and Calistoga was completed in 1846, the same year the Bear Flag Revolt claimed independence from Mexico.
Bale's connection to the Bear Flag Party is uncertain, but there is evidence that they met at his mill before the capture of Sonoma.
[3] During the California Gold Rush, Bale tried his hand at mining, and eventually caught a fever from which he never recovered.
Bale's wife made sure the daughter was protected in a prenuptial that allowed for her to keep 20 acres (0.08 km2) of land north of St. Helena, California,[citation needed] on which Krug planted a vineyard.