The Administration Building, which was designed by San Francisco architect Walter D. Bliss, is one of the most imposing structures on the Central Coast of California and one of the most prominent buildings in San Luis Obispo County along with Hearst Castle, Mission San Luis Obispo, Mission San Miguel and the Dana Adobe.

In the 1910s, Edward Gardner Lewis of Missouri created an independent and self-sustaining colony at Atascadero.

Atascadero Colony was based on the concept of developing a community before allowing the construction of the first residence. Lewis enlisted experts in every related field and built the entire community, including the Administration Building, before the first house was built. When the colony was ready for private home building in 1915 there were hundreds of Colonists living in a tent city.

Source: Adapted from the NRHP nomination submitted in 1977.

The Atascadero Colony Administration Building is also California Historical Landmark 958.