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July 19, 2018

“Forgotten Foster Park” presented by local author Gwen Alferes at Museum

Local author Gwen Alferes will be the featured speaker, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Aug. 14, for the “Speaking of Ventura County” series at the Museum of Ventura County, located at 100 E. Main Street, Ventura. Alferes will present a slide show of rare images from Ventura County’s forgotten town, Foster Park.

Surrounded by steeply sloped hillsides, Foster Park was a tiny rural community that took shape during the oil boom of the 1920s. It was situated at a bend on Highway 33 adjacent to Foster Memorial Park, for which it was named. A community of about 50 or so homes, Foster City had a thriving business district and a dance hall that hosted musical greats of the time–such as Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and the Everly Brothers–and a saloon equipped with a boxing ring. The Ventura River, once loaded with giant steelhead trout, and the Southern Pacific Railroad both ran through the town. With the makings of a Norman Rockwell portrait, it came to its end in the mid-1960s to make room for the hotly-contested extension of the Ojai Freeway. To younger generations and newcomers of the area, Foster Park’s former existence is virtually unknown.

Admission is free for members; $5 for nonmembers. After the talk, the author will have books on hand to sign and sell.

Our Mission and Vision

The Museum of Ventura County engages participants in meaningful experiences with history, art, culture, and each other by aspiring to spark curiosity and encourage compassion to build community and connection.

Our Purpose

To promote interest in and understanding of the history of the Ventura County region; to collect and preserve archives, artifacts, art, and ephemera bearing on the history of the region; to document current regional events; and to create exhibits and programs that enlighten, educate, and engage the past, present, and future.

Our Partners

Major funding for the programs at the Museum of Ventura County is made possible by City of Camarillo, City of Fillmore, City of Moorpark, City of Ojai, City of Oxnard, City of Port Hueneme, City of Santa Paula, City of Simi Valley, City of Thousand Oaks, City of Ventura, and the County of Ventura.

Museum of Ventura County
100 East Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001
Directions

Thursday—Sunday
11am to 5pm

Phone: 805.653.0323

Research Library at the Museum
100 East Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001
Directions

Appointment Only
Wednesday—Friday • 11am to 5pm

For library assistance call
805-653-0323 ext 320
or email library@venturamuseum.org

Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Avenue
Santa Paula, CA 93060
Directions

Thursday—Sunday
11am to 5pm

Phone: 805.525.3100

Albinger Archaeological Museum
113 E. Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001
Directions

Saturday
11am to 5pm

Phone: 805.658.4728

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