Eugene Preston Foster | |
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| Born | April 4, 1848 Joliet, Illinois, US |
| Died | February 12, 1932 (aged 83) |
| Occupation(s) | Rancher, entrepreneur, banker, and philanthropist |
| Years active | 1871–1931 |
| Known for | Foster Park, Seaside Park, Camp Comfort |
Eugene Preston Foster (April 4, 1848 – February 12, 1932), commonly known as E. P. Foster, was a rancher, entrepreneur, banker, and philanthropist in Ventura County, California.
A native of Illinois, he moved to California and, in the early 1870s, settled in Ventura County. His early ventures included sheep ranching, managing a local water company, developing natural gas wells along the Ventura River, and planting and operating an apricot orchard. He then acquired an interest in the Bank of Ventura and served as its president from 1890 to 1917, when it was acquired by the Bank of Italy. He also invested in the Union Oil Company of California.
Foster became known as one of the area's most important philanthropists in the early 20th century. He established and donated several parks, including Camp Comfort, Foster Memorial Park, and Seaside Park. He also planted trees throughout the City and County of Ventura and donated Ventura's main public library, the E. P. Foster Library. He also helped fund the construction of Community Memorial Hospital, which was known as the E. P. Foster Memorial Hospital from approximately 1932 to 1962.
The Foster family house at 2717 North Ventura Avenue, built in 1881, was donated to the Ventura School District in 1955. It fell into disrepair and was destroyed by fire in 2010.