Preserving Atascadero's Living Museums One House at a Time

Some of you may have noticed the old Colony house out by Home Depot that was moved down closer to El Camino Real a few years back.  There were 17 homes left unfinished that sat for the last few years before the homes were purchased and finished this year.  The Colony house has been sitting awaiting the proper attention and finally General Pacific Properties hired a local contractor, Reynolds Construction, to restore the home.

The Atascadero Historical Society was contacted by Eric Kimmell, employed by General Pacific Properties, seeking information regarding the history of the Colony home they were in the early stages of renovating.  Our team searched our available files and sought out information but to no avail (keep in mind that some of our files were quickly packed away following the San Simeon Earthquake and have yet to be processed).  Fortunately, Leighton Cook, descendant of Eulah P. Cook who bought the house in 1940, phoned Eric.  He has been watching the construction on his former family home as it progressed.  The home originally sat on an approximately 11.5 acre parcel and had one or more large chicken houses.  Leighton's family were the owners of the Glen Oaks grocery store in Eaglet.  Leighton recollects the store location was previously opened by Martha Dandridge Cook as an auto camp in the Tent City period named Camp Buena Vista.  You may currently shop at Glen Oaks Plaza on El Camino Real although the auto camp and grocery store are only memories.  Meanwhile, the Chain of Title and copies of all the Grant Deeds with the Chain were received by General Pacific Properties.  It indicates the parcel first sold October 31, 1919 to William J. O' Donnell.

Atascadero Historical Society is partnering with General Pacific Properties to help preserve one of Atascadero's living museums one house at a time.  Eric Kimmell, real estate agent representing the Regio Place homes for sale, and his wife Carrie are hosting an open house Saturday, August 20, 2011 from 12 pm to 4 pm at the historic home located at 5466 Regio Place.  Historical Society president, Jim Wilkins, vice-president, Tom Lewis and  Leighton Cook will be assisting General Pacific Properties with the ribbon cutting ceremony at 1 pm.

James Wilkins is the president of the Atascadero Historical Society.  The Colony Museum is located at 6600 Lewis Avenue, mailing address: P.O. Box 1047, Atascadero CA 93423.  For more information, visit the website, www.atascaderohistoricalsociety.org or call 805-466-8341