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Author: Vladimir Ofitserov

Exploring Our Marshlands

Exploring Our Marshlands

Republished from Foster City Community Guide 1978, page 20 by Ronald White. “The more artificially complex man’s affairs become, the more he yearns for the fundamentals, the things of the earth. Some would say it is a form of escapism and perhaps it is in a way, but not an escape from reality, rather a flight from the unreal things.” Roger Tory Peterson Last Saturday, while sitting on the bench at Foster City’s Belmont Slough Wildlife Refuge, my thoughts moved…

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Construction of Foster City 1960-1980

Construction of Foster City 1960-1980

Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of Foster City, the City’s former Public Works Director, Richard Hopper, spoke on the history of the City’s creation. Richard focused on the building of the City and the unique features that make up its character. I’m Carmen Blair, the deputy director of the San Mateo County Historical Association, and I would like to welcome you to today’s Courthouse Docket. The Courthouse Docket is a monthly series of lectures and performances sponsored by…

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Year Without Home Gives Official a New Perspective

Year Without Home Gives Official a New Perspective

BY MARK A. STEINDEC. 9, 1990 12 AM PT LOS ANGELES TIMES STAFF WRITER FOSTER CITY, Calif. —  Politicians often talk of the problems of the homeless. John Oliver has lived them. Once a solid member of the middle class, the Foster City councilman has had business and personal setbacks that cost him his house and his family and for more than a year left him living out of his camper truck with his dog Topper. But Oliver has not given up hope,…

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Robert H. Grant, the builder of Bayporte

Robert H. Grant, the builder of Bayporte

Longtime Orange County Newport Beach resident Robert H. Grant, one of Orange County’s  biggest post-war homebuilders, died in December 2010 from Alzheimer’s disease at a hospice. He was 90. Through his firm, the Robert H. Grant Corp., he built about 20,000 homes in California and Hawaii from the 1950s through the 1970s, according to family members. In addition to developing much of Anaheim Hills, Grant was an early developer in portions of north-central Orange County and Chino, a family spokesman…

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Foster City Neighborhood 5

Foster City Neighborhood 5

In 2010-2011 Kavin Gardiner assisted the City of Foster City with the existing conditions analysis for the Land Use & Circulation Element of its General Plan. This involved lots of photos. Foster City is a master-planned “new town” founded in the 1960s on engineered landfill in the marshes of the San Francisco Bay. The city was named after T. Jack Foster, a real estate magnate who owned much of the land comprising the city and who was instrumental in its initial design. The neighborhoods…

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Government in Foster City circa 1979

Government in Foster City circa 1979

This is excerpt from Foster City Chamber of Commerce circa 1979 foreword by Mayor Peter Gilbert: On behalf of the City Council of Foster City I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the readers of This is Foster City – 1979. This fine Chamber of Commerce publication has been invaluable over the years as a business directory and community guide and especially in promoting our community – locally, nationally and even internationally-as literally one of the best places…

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50th Ann Essay Writing Contest

50th Ann Essay Writing Contest

Do you enjoy writing AND proud of Foster City’s history? Show you love with Foster City essay contest that runs from now through November 29, 2021. To help celebrate Foster City’s 50th anniversary, the Foster City Historical Society’s sponsoring an essay writing contest. First Place: $100; Second Place: $75 (for each category) Category 1: Elementary / Middle School Youth (exempt from fee) Category 2: High School Youth (exempt from fee) Category 3: Adults (generally 17 and older, but if person…

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