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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1981 – Charge of the Lite Brigade, SM Bridge Half Marathon

1981 – Charge of the Lite Brigade, SM Bridge Half Marathon

Back in 1981 Foster City hosted what was hoped to become an annual race. It was a half marathon from Hayward finishing on the Foster City Levee. Called “Charge of the Lite Brigade” it was one of very few times you could actually run across the San Mateo Bridge. Today, even the Amgen Tour of California doesn’t cross the San Mateo Bridge. The hope was that the “Charge of the Lite Brigade” would be an annual race and the city…

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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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Past President Lucy Williams Honored by Historical Society

Past President Lucy Williams Honored by Historical Society

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Former Foster City Historical Society President Lucy Williams had a brick engraved remembering her contribution to the community. It can be seen right by the entrance to the Foster City Library. The Foster City Historical Society is proud to honor our past president and the archivist of so much Foster City History Lucy Williams. Lucy took into her own home years of relevant history from original voting records, artifacts, and even local editions of the now gone Foster City Progress…

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50th Ann Essay Writing Contest

50th Ann Essay Writing Contest

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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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Foster City Through the Years

Foster City Through the Years

San Mateo County History Museum is now showing Foster City Through the Years. It will exhibit August 10, 2021 to January 2, 2022. In 2022 the exhibit will come to the Foster City Recreation Center. Here is the opening of the exhibit with the Mayor of Foster City Sanjay Gehani, Foster City Historical Society President Evan Adams & Foster City Historical Society Vice President Larry Staley For more information visit: https://historysmc.org/exhibits/foster-city-through-the-years/