In 1856, José de Jesús Vallejo, brother of General M. G. Vallejo, built a flour mill here, on his Rancho Arroyo de la Alameda. Niles was once called 'Vallejo Mills.' The stone aqueduct built to carry water for the mill parallels Niles Canyon Road.
The ruins of this small building are all that remains of the 150 year old flour mill built here by Jose Vallejo. Before the railroads caused this area to be named Niles (after a judge friendly to railroad interests) it was known as Vallejo Mills. Flour mills played an important role in early valley agricultural life, yet most people today have no idea where or what they once were.
The site is a rather neglected Fremont city park. At one time a plaque fronted Mission Boulevard, but recent roadwork seems to have caused it to be removed. Temporarily we hope.