Our New Logo

Our New Logo

The Foster City Historical Society was established in recognition of the city’s rich history and cultural heritage. Our new logo combines the rotunda gazebo in Leo J. Ryan park, sunrise, bridge, and sailboat which are all important elements in this history, each with its own unique story to tell. The rotunda gazebo, situated in the heart of the city served as a gathering place for the community. Over the years, it has been a venue for countless events, from weddings…

Read More Read More

Kay Homes Foster City 1972 “It’s a good life.”

Kay Homes Foster City 1972 “It’s a good life.”

You’re just 15 miles south of downtown San Francisco. But in some ways, Foster City is like a resort town.

Because there’s water all around you. There’s the quiet Grand Lagoon, a 60-acre lake and canals, reserved for sailing and swimming and sunbathing on the sandy beaches. Then on the Bay side of the island, there’ll be a Marina for power boats and water-skiing -with’ enough docking space for big cabin cruisers.

Port O’ Call, Foster City’s shopping plaza, has a parking lot for boats, as well as cars!
Foster City is part of the San Mateo School District -with excellent education from kindergarten through junior college. Foster City has the two newest schools in San Mateo with the latest advancements in teaching techniques. You’re near seven major colleges and universities.
You’re just a short ride away from the San Francisco International Airport, from centers of commerce and industry –=- and from historical missions, repertory theaters, beautiful hiking and horseback country.

It’s a good life.

read more: https://fostercitylife.org/kay-homes-foster-city-1972-its-a-good-life/

Opening of Foster City Recreation Center (1974)

Opening of Foster City Recreation Center (1974)

Opened February 9th, 1974, the original Foster City Recreation Center was created as part of the “City Recreation Plan” created by Ellis Arndt and Truesdell, Inc in 1971. It included a three phase plan that would have included an integrated Recreation Center, a Pre-School, and Arts & Craft Wing, Teen Center with 1970’s ‘conversation pit’ with fireplace, and eventually a 11,000sf Gymnasium complex & a recreation pool indoors. The different “wings” were connected by covered walkways. Foster City’s quarterly Recreation…

Read More Read More

WHY FOSTER CITY WANTS SCHOOL UNIFICATION (1990’s)

WHY FOSTER CITY WANTS SCHOOL UNIFICATION (1990’s)

Foster City has always had a healthy continuing discussion about the desire for a local High School. This document found in our archives is from the 1990’s group the “Citizens Allied for a Multipurpose Unified School” and lays out some of the arguments 30 years ago for a High School.

Draeger’s (San Mateo) 1997

Draeger’s (San Mateo) 1997

The Historical Society has a lot of older newspapers. Never archived at in any of the local libraries. Foster City used to have a newspaper called the Foster City Progress. Here is the front page story on the San Mateo Draeger’s opening in June 1997. Today the Draeger’s is set to close soon. However, it was once new, some 26 years ago, in 1997.

Foster City Housing Element 2002 (Cycle 4)

Foster City Housing Element 2002 (Cycle 4)

Foster City in 2022 is in the process of updating our housing element for RHNA Cycle 6 (2021-29). What did people think in 2002 vs 2022? Let’s find out! These documents were found in the Foster City Historical Society Archives. The ABAG handout for the Cycle 4 housing element, an advertisement for the General Plan Update for the housing element and a Council Corner from Councilmember Russ Harter. All written in 2002. Foster City Islander 1/16/2002 Foster City Council Corner…

Read More Read More

Bayside Towers

Bayside Towers

Bayside Towers. Located at 4000 and 4100 E. Third Avenue, Foster City. This article concerns another historic development in our city.  And while Bayside Towers may not have the long history of some of the other developments, it still represents a novel one and is associated with some interesting history of the area and our city. The area itself, a small northeastern segment of Foster City, close to the San Mateo Bridge, interestingly enough, was referred to as Guano Island,…

Read More Read More

Dream Girl Pageant 1976

Dream Girl Pageant 1976

Back in 1976 miss Foster City Kelli McKenney won San Mateo County Dream Girl Pageant. Dennis Wilson, an American singer, and songwriter presided over the jury. Denis co-founded The Beach Boys, that began as a garageband and became one of the most influential acts of the rock era. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/39038035