Historic Atwater mansion is sinking 

 

After 112 years of standing majestically in the downtown core, Atwater’s Bloss Home is feeling its age. In fact, it’s sinking, pulling a balcony away from the northwest side of the landmark building.

“This is very important,” said Greg Olzack, longtime member of the Atwater Historical Society. “We need to correct this with some urgency. The integrity of the whole building is at risk.”

According to a consulting firm’s assessment, while signs of the deteriorating condition of the foundation have been observed in prior reviews of the building’s health, “the settlement seems to have accelerated in the last couple of years.”

The cause, stated the report prepared by JAS Pacific, “is speculative” but likely includes the effects of water.

A review from 2024 noted no structural problems, “but that seems to have changed,” stated the report.

The structural problems include damage to the balcony’s deck railings, deck fascia, and the supporting columns. In addition, the concrete porch under the balcony is showing deep cracks. 

Further, according to the report, “There are other settlement signs at the windows and features on the northwest and west sides.”

“The citizens of Atwater are proud of the Bloss Home,” said Historical Society President Brad Pickle. “We need to keep it in good shape for future generations.”

To that end proceeds from the society’s annual dinner and auction on Sept. 19 will be dedicated to the restoration fund.

The Atwater City Council has set aside $75,000 to conduct engineering studies and to begin repairs to the balcony which will prevent a potential catastrophic collapse of the second floor structure.

“We’ll fund the structural engineer assessment, the geotechnical engineering, and the balcony’s repairs,” said city Public Works Director Justin Vinson. “If there’s any money left over, we’ll replace wood on another balcony.”

Vinson said that after shoring up the balcony, soil boring will occur which will determine the nature of the underlying soils and identify methods to keep the house from falling further. 

This may include stabilization of the foundation by use of pressure grouting, or it may involve piers drilled into the soil under the home.

“The effectiveness of any of these methods is very much dependent on the soil characteristics,” according to the JAS Pacific study, which recommended a complete geotechnical evaluation.

Once that evaluation is completed, Vinson said that the city will have a funding target, noting that the complete cost of shoring up the foundation will likely be several hundred thousand dollars.

Under an agreement with the City of Atwater, the historical society manages and pays for maintenance and repairs in the home’s interior. The city is responsible for the grounds and exterior features of the building, pump house, and garage.

“We appreciate the fact that the city sees this problem and is jumping on it,” Olzack said.

The Bloss Home was originally the residence of local pioneers George Bloss Jr. and his wife Christine. The house was built in 1914 at the cost of $11,954, and was designed by well-known local architect William (Bill) Bedesen.

The square footage, counting enclosed porches (a service porch and sleeping porch) covers 4,080 square feet.

The house was willed to the city by by George Bloss Jr. upon his death in 1963. It was officially given to the city upon the death of Christine Bloss in 1971.

The Atwater Historical Society was formed in 1973 by local residents who “wanted to ensure that the Bloss Home would remain a jewel of the city.”

The Bloss Home was listed by the State Historical Landmarks Division in 1974, and in 1981, the house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Atwater Historical Society’s 12th annual Dinner and Silent Auction will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19 beginning at 5 p.m. on the verdant grounds of the historic Bloss Home, located at 1020 Cedar Avenue.

The dinner will feature the story of Atwater pioneer Eliza Ralston, whose family bears the name of the city’s impressive downtown park, and the presentation of the inaugural Roger Wood Award for the society’s volunteer of the year.

Tickets are $60 per person. Corporate and table sponsorships are also available. 

To purchase tickets, or for other information, contact Greg Olzack at (209) 769-7799 or Kathy Jansen at 209) 658-4766.