It turns out the wall not only has a load bearing column in it right down to the foundation, it has
TWO load bearing columns.
Oh, and did I mention that underneath the drywall the entire thing is covered in 3/4 plywood to act as a shear wall for earthquake protection?
So, when we bought the place and I ask the contractor, who retrofitted it and installed the Radon removal system, if that was a load bearing wall, why did he say, "No, it's not. You can take it out."?
His recent reply: "Oh,
that wall. I thought you meant the false wall we put in front of it." Effing moron!