100 year celebration!

Celebrating 100 years of community

Join us in celebrating this incredible milestone. August 16, 1922


The City of Atwater was Incorporated on August 16, 1922.

The name honors Marshall D. Atwater, a wheat farmer whose land was used by the railroad for its station.


Celebration events

Date / TimeEventDetails
June 2022Movies in the Parkstarting in June 2022, scheduled the 3rd Saturday of the Month ending September 2022. There is a celebratory movie in August “The Great Gatsby” ….movies subject to change.
4th of July FestivitiesParade / EventCity of Atwater Centennial Float and booth at Ralston Park.
August 6, 2022
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Founders WalkFounders walk with the Mayor and Miss Atwater candidates (Bloss Mansion open all day for tours)
Founders Walk Map
August 13, 2022Miss Atwater Competition
August 16, 2022Clock tower UnveilingClock tower unveiling and reception Corner of 5Th and Broadway (Old Town Atwater)
August 20, 2022Movies in the Park and Ice Cream Social“The Great Gatsby”  Bloss Mansion Park
August 27, 2022
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Vendor Fair(Bloss Mansion Open all day for tours)

Road to Incorporation

1850

John Mitchell came to town

Description of event

1850
1856

Marshall Atwater came to town

Description of event

1856
1884

The Bloss Family came to town

Description of event

1884
1888

Atwater became a town

Description of event

1888
1890

Ralston Family came to town

Description of event

1890
1897

Population reaches 100 people

Description of event

1897
1903

Mitchell School was built at Atwater Blvd. /Winton Way

Opened with 60-65 students

1903
1906

First Automobile in Atwater

Description of event

1906
1910

Dr. Kinney becomes Atwater’s first doctor

Description of event

1910
1911

Atwater Signal newspaper premieres

Description of event

1911
1912

The fire, growth

A large fire burns down almost every structure. Bloss Block was constructed and electricity was successfully delivered to the town.

1912
1913

Paved roads and faith

Atwater paves roads and St. Anthony’s Church is built at Drakeley and Winton Way

1913
1916

Legislation

Ticket citations become law if you did not have a lantern hanging from your Buggy at night

1916
1917

E. A. Heller buys a drug store

Description of event

1917
1920

Atwater has another big fire

Description of event

1920
1921

Loss and progress

George Bloss, Sr. dies and the first telephone service is activated (Carrie Peck remains manager for 21 years)

1921
1922

Incorporation

Atwater officially incorporates as a California city and elects George Bloss as it’s first Mayor. Freitas Bros purchases Joe Vierra’s Martha Washington store and renames it “The Atwater Cash Grocery”.

1922