Alviso in San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Thomas Foon Chew (1889-1931)
City of San Jose Capital of Silicon Valley
Photographed by Grant Han
1. Thomas Foon Chew Marker
Born in 1889, Thomas Foon Chew entered the canning industry at age 17 and soon built Bayside Canning Company into the third largest cannery in the world. He had a reputation for treating his workers fairly and kindly. Workers lived for free on lands around the cannery, pay was usually good, and Thomas personally made sure his workers had enough to eat, even in the canning off seasons. Thomas Foon Chew died in 1931 from pneumonia. His funeral attracted 25,000 people and was said to be the largest funeral in Chinatown. He was remembered as a keen businessman and a caring person.
Erected by City of San Jose Capital of Silicon Valley.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 37° 25.417′ N, 121° 56.38′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Alviso. It is at the intersection of Thomas Foon Chew Way and Zanker Road, on the right when traveling west on Thomas Foon Chew Way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4157 Zanker Rd, San Jose CA 95134, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area, in Silicon Valley, and on the Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The James Lick Mansion (approx. 1.7 miles away); Lick Mill and Granary (approx.
this page online
Credits. This page was last revised on February 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2024, by Grant Han of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 321 times since then and 25 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 6, 2024, by Grant Han of San Jose, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and the surrounding area together in context. • Can you help?
