Union’s Foster Park has been open to the public for 70 years. The land was a gift from three sisters who gave the land to the City of Union as a memorial for their parents.

Now, descendants of the Fosters have installed a monument to honor their wishes and reiterate the terms of the gift.

On Nov. 6, 1935, Isabel Foster Jordan, Mary Emma Foster and Louise Foster Kennedy, the three daughters of Alfred Harrison Foster and Hettie Virginia Brandon Foster, deeded to the City of Union 78 acres of land. On April 8, 1937, another 42 acres was deeded to accompany the original donation. The deed states the proposed Foster Park would not be opened for the general public until the proposed lake and club house were complete. Also stated in the deed, "That said Park area must be perpetually and for all time being maintained as a park and recreational ground by the grantee, the City of Union, and the City of Union shall never make any other use of the property herein except for park and recreational purposes."

The work for the park was completed by the City of Union and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was established by U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt and Congress to provide jobs for an impoverished country after the depression.

"People of Union were looking for a project that the WPA could be used for because there was a desperate need for jobs,” said Isabel Foster Jordan’s grandson Louis Jordan Sr. “They talked with my family about donating the land."

It was Jordan who approached the city council about placing the monument at Foster Park about three months ago. He also oversaw the installation of the new marker.

In the deeds, the three Foster daughters refer to the property as part of the "home place" of their mother and father, in whose memory the property was donated. Alfred Harrison Foster was the great-grandson of Abiel Foster who was a member of the House of Representatives and later the Senate from New Hampshire. He was distinguished by a close friendship with Gen. George Washington and is depicted in John Trumbull’s picture of Washington’s resignation of his commission in 1783.

Alfred Harrison Foster volunteered at age 26 to serve when the Civil War started. After serving a year as captain of Co. F., 5th S.C. Volunteers, he was elected captain of Company D, Palmetto Sharpshooters. After the war, he returned to Union where he became a successful merchant, planter and businessman involving himself in emerging economic activities including the Union and Buffalo Mills, Monarch Mill and many other ventures.

Mrs. Hettie Brandon’s ancestors are traced to John Brandon, brother of Brig. Gen. Thomas Brandon, who is buried in the old Unionville Cemetery, one-fourth of a mile below Monarch from which Union gets its name.

Jordan also said that history and photographs of the park’s construction and early users are scarce.

"I was born in 1935, so I was young, but I can remember my father taking me over and watching some of the construction," he said. Anyone who has any photographs can have them copied at Union County Museum.

Foster Park was built to create jobs, and donated as a memorial for family. Families can be seen enjoying the park daily. During the Christmas season, a giant, glowing Christmas tree is displayed, along with other lights and decorations.

Monument Text:

Foster Park

Foster Park is a memorial to Captain Alfred Harrison Foster and Hettie Brandon Foster given by their daughters Isabel Foster Jordan, Louise Foster Kennedy, and Mary Emma Foster.

The 120 acres for Foster Park were deeded November 1935 and April 1937 to the people of the City of Union for their recreation.

By 1939 the lake and the clubhouse were completed by the City of Union and the Works Progress Administration of the Federal Government. Under the terms of the gift, the city was to maintain these grounds forever for benefit of her citizens.