Adventure 051, Site 036 – Atascadero Colony Administration Building

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 051, Site 036 – Atascadero Colony Administration Building

California Landmark Number: 958

National Registry ID: 1977000336

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  September 18, 2012

Location:

Latitude: 35° 29.367′ N

Longitude: 120° 40.048′ W

Address: 6500 Palma Ave, Atascadero

Description:

Date Built: 1918

Architect: Bliss

In 2003 an earthquake struck Paso Robles. At that time, this building was structurally damaged. While we were at the site, work was being done to restore the building to its previous grander. With scaffolding around the building, it blocked a lot of the image. But you could tell in two years when work was completed, it would be a building to come back and enjoy.



EG Lewis in the very early 1900's conceived of a model city, half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco. It was to be the first planned community in California. The Administration Building was to be its headquarters. The 23,000 acres surrounding the current building was to be obtained for a million dollars, with the community laid out and organized to accommodate all modes of transportation, including automobiles. People came from all states of the nation and set up a tent city to be on this new community. To remember its past, Atascadeo has its Tent Days, to be held on October 20^th this year. Since the early days, the building has served as a private boys school and a Veteran's Memorial and is currently being used by the county offices—after the restrotration/retro fit currently being done.



NO. 958 ADMINISTRATION AND VETERAN'S MEMORIAL BUILDING - This building, dedicated in 1914 and completed in 1918, was the headquarters for the Atascadero Colony, a model community envisioned by Edward G. Lewis. Designed by Walter D. Bliss of San Francisco and built of reinforced concrete and locally produced brick, it had also served as a private school for boys, a veteran's memorial building, and county offices. It is currently the seat of municipal government.
Location: 6500 Palma Ave, Atascadero



References:

• NPS Historical Registry-documentation and photos
  
• Wikipedia: The City of Atascadero
  
• Earthquake Repair Report
  

Overall Landmark References:

• David Schmitt's California State Historical Landmark (Schmitt)
  
• Wikipedia: California's National Landmarks (WCNL)
  
• State of California's California Historical Landmarks (CHL)
  
• Wikipedia: California State Landmarks (WCSL)
  
• State of California Historical Resources (CHR)
  
• National Registry of Historical Places (NRHP)