The Sunken Gardens

Inspired by “The Grand Basin” at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, Atascadero founder E.G. Lewis envisioned a formal Sunken Garden to adorn the civic center in his new colony. Restored in 2005 as originally designed with walkways crossing the length and width of the gardens and meeting at a central fountain designed by architect Walter D. Bliss of the San Francisco firm of Bliss and Faville.

Sculpted by Italian artist Petrilla and exhibited at the 1904 World’s Fair by the Italian Government, the sculpture is one solid piece of carrara marble. Purchased by Atascadero Founder E.G. Lewis for display in the Atascadero Colony Civic Center.