Atascadero in San Luis Obispo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Atascadero Administration Building

Photographed by James King, August 21, 2013

1. Atascadero Administration Building Marker

Inscription. 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.

Erected 1984 by State Department of Parks and Recreation and the Atascadero Historical Society. (Marker Number 958.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Government & Politics • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 35° 29.373′ N, 120° 40.033′ W. Marker is in Atascadero, California, in San Luis Obispo County. It is on Palma Avenue south of West Mall Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 33 Palma Ave, Atascadero CA 93422, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast

and specifically on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sunken Gardens (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Your American Heritage Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away);

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Carlton Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 4.7 miles away); Templeton Carriage Works (approx. 4.7 miles away); Museum Property / Horstman House (approx. 4.7 miles away); In Memoriam (approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atascadero.

More about this marker. The marker is in a monument in the lawn to the right of the main entrance to the building.

Regarding Atascadero Administration Building. This site was designated as California Registered Historical Landmark No. 958 on August 16, 1983.

After almost 10 years of repair work from the San Simeon Earthquake, the Atascadero Administration Building reopened in August 2013.

Also see . . . Atascadero Administration Building. A waymarking.com post with photos of the marker and building before being fenced off for renovation work. (Submitted on November 30, 2010.)

Additional commentary.
1. Sign Posted During Restoration

Atascadero Administration Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2010

2. Atascadero Administration Building and Marker

Marker is visible at the base of the flagpole.

During an extensive restoration, fencing was placed around the building and access to the marker was not available. A sign was mounted on the fence which read:

Atascadero Administration Building The Atascadero Administration Building was designed and constructed to be the centerpiece of the Atascadero Colony, a utopian planned community developed by Edward Gardner Lewis.

Designed by the prominent San Francisco architectural firm of Bliss and Faville, the building constructed between 1914 and 1918 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a California Registered Historical Landmark.

The building suffered significant damage during the 6.5 magnitude San Simeon Earthquake on December 22, 2003. Since that time City of Atascadero staff have been working with FEMA, the State Department of Historic Preservation and the elite team of Architects, Engineers and Historians to repair this important symbol of Atascadero.

Restoration is currently underway and is anticipated to be completed in 2013 in time for the Atascadero’s Centennial Celebration.

— Submitted August 22, 2013.

Atascadero Administration Building (2013) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James King, August 21, 2013

3. Atascadero Administration Building (2013)

This is as the building looks today, one day after the official re-opening ceremony.

The California Historical Landmark monument is now in the grass to the right of the green sign, straight down from the right-most white column at the front of the building. The NRHP marker is to the left of the door. The cornerstone, earthquake repair project and Eagle Scout project plaques are all visible on the right hand corner of the building. The Veteran's Memorial Building plaque is at the base of the flagpole on the left.

Atascadero Administration Building NRHP Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James King, August 21, 2013

4. Atascadero Administration Building NRHP Marker

This property
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior

Cornerstone and Additional Plaques image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James King, August 21, 2013

5. Cornerstone and Additional Plaques

Erected by the Colony Holding Corporation
MCMXIV

Eagle Project Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James King, August 21, 2013

6. Eagle Project Marker

The City Administration Building cornerstone was placed on this site in June, 1914. Building construction was completed in 1918.
Cornerstone enhancement project
Russell Johnson, Eagle Project, Troop 176, June 2002

Veterans Memorial Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James King, August 21, 2013

7. Veterans Memorial Building Marker

County of San Luis Obispo
Atascadero
Veterans Memorial Building
Dedicated 1952
To the memory of the men and women of
the County of San Luis Obispo who have given
their lives in the service of our country.

Signage Posted During Restoration image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2010

8. Signage Posted During Restoration

Signage With Building in the Background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2010

9. Signage With Building in the Background

Close-up of Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2010

10. Close-up of Photo on Marker

Showing major earthquake damage.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2010

11. Close-up of Photo on Marker

Showing major earthquake damage.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2010

12. Close-up of Photo on Marker

Showing major earthquake damage.

Signage Announcing Re-Opening in 2013 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2010

13. Signage Announcing Re-Opening in 2013

Atascadero Administration Building During Restoration image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2010

14. Atascadero Administration Building During Restoration

Side View of the Administration Building During Restoration image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2010

15. Side View of the Administration Building During Restoration

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,505 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on June 27, 2024, by Ronald D. (Ron) Trigueiro of Fresno, California. Photos: 1. submitted on August 21, 2013, by James King of San Miguel, California. 2. submitted on November 30, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 21, 2013, by James King of San Miguel, California. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. submitted on November 30, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.