CALIFORNIA: ATascadero Printery
The Atascadero Printery is the current state project Of California Questers.
The Printery, originally called the Press Building, was the first Atascadero Colony Civic building constructed by E.G. Lewis, a printer and entrepreneur, in 1915. The Colony land was originally purchased by Mrs. Mabel Lewis in the name of the Women’s Republic. They needed a way to reach the public to support the suffragette movement and to promote land sales for the Colony. The Printery published several important publications including The Woman’s National Weekly, The Illustrated Review, covers for Sunset Magazine, and the Sunday supplements of the San Francisco Chronicle and the L.A. Times. Mr. Lewis used these periodicals to promote his land sales opportunities. The first issue of the Atascadero News was published at the Printery in 1916 and continued to be printed there until 1949.
The Printery has served many uses over the years. It was home to three different boys’ schools and was used by the National Youth Administration, where Jackie Robinson was an assistant athletic director. Additionally, it served as the Masonic Lodge, Sheriff’s Substation, and the School District offices. In 2004, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its significant association with the early history of Atascadero and E.G. Lewis’s Atascadero Colony.
Beautiful original murals once hung in the entrance hall of the building. They are currently stored, awaiting restoration. These murals were painted by noted Chicago artist Ralph Holmes, who also lived in Atascadero. He wrote at the time, “The building became almost overnight a hive of activity with a large force of employees.“
Since being damaged in the 2003 San Simeon Earthquake, the Printery stood empty and has been subject to vandalism. The Atascadero Printery Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, purchased the building in 2017 and they are dedicated to the rehabilitation of this historic treasure.
In the future, The building will be made available as a community center with an emphasis on Arts, Education and History. Plans include a theater space for live productions and musical events, a working print museum featuring the history of Atascadero, as well as event and conference rooms.
Progress has already been made toward the rebuilding of the Printery. The giant cracks in the West Mall caused by the 2003 Earthquake are mended and the two sides are secured together. This was a major repair needed to keep the walls intact.
They continue to clean and repair the building and grounds. The Structural Repair Plan is underway. This will determine exactly what needs to be done to repair and strengthen the entire structure. With this knowledge, the course to complete the building rehabilitation and the raising of funds to do so can be planned. This Repair Plan is required for many grant applications.
Other previous projects have included the Pioneer Mother Statue in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco & the Governor’s Mansion in Sacramento.
