Andrew "Bo" Foster
Location: 2160 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis (Marion County), Indiana 46202
Installed 2023 Indiana Historical Bureau, Andrew Foster Legacy, Inc., and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation
ID#: 49.2023.1
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Side One
Entrepreneur and WWII veteran Andrew Foster was born in Indianapolis. He established a lucrative trucking company in the 1940s, enabling him to open and manage several businesses that served Black patrons in the segregated city into the 1980s. These included the Foster Hotel and Foster Motor Lodge, which accommodated tourists and famed guests, such as Muhammad Ali.
Side Two
By 1970, Foster opened Pearl’s Lounge, which served as a venue for political fundraisers, community gatherings, and NAACP events. As a National Business League and Midwest National Bank leader, Foster mentored Black business owners and helped them obtain grants. In 1982, Governor Orr awarded him the Sagamore of the Wabash in recognition of his civic contributions.
Annotated Text
Side One
Andrew “Bo” Foster
Entrepreneur and WWII veteran Andrew Foster was born in Indianapolis.[1] He established a lucrative trucking company in the 1940s, enabling him to open and manage several businesses that served Black patrons in the segregated city into the 1980s.[2] These included the Foster Hotel and Foster Motor Lodge, which accommodated tourists and famed guests, such as Muhammad Ali.[3]
Side Two
Andrew Foster, 1919-1987
By 1970, Foster opened Pearl’s Lounge, which served as a venue for political fundraisers, community gatherings, and NAACP events.[4] As a National Business League and Midwest National Bank leader, Foster mentored Black business owners and helped them obtain grants.[5] In 1982, Governor Orr awarded him the Sagamore of the Wabash in recognition of his civic contributions.[6]
*Visit the Indiana History Blog to learn how Andrew Foster created a more equitable Indianapolis.
[1] “Andrew Daniel Foster,” U.S. World War II Draft Cards, Young Men, 1940-1947, Registration Date: October 16, 1940, accessed Ancestry Library; “Service Roll: Inductions and Enlistments into U. S. Forces,” Indianapolis News, October 21, 1941, 8, accessed Newspapers.com; Indianapolis Star, March 2, 1943, 22, accessed Newspapers.com; “Andrew Daniel Foster,” Marriage License Record, March 3, 1943, Alabama, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1805-1967, p. 239, accessed Ancestry Library; Robert Corya, “Dust Nothing New to Andrew Foster,” Indianapolis News, August 26, 1969, 24, accessed Newspapers.com; “Andrew Daniel Foster, Sr.,” Indiana State Board of Health Medical Certificate of Death, June 23, 1987, Indiana U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011, accessed Ancestry Library.
[2] Indianapolis Recorder, February 5, 1949, 7, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; “’House of Strangers’ at Walker Sunday,” Indianapolis Recorder, October 8, 1949, 12, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; “Andrew Foster,” 1950 United States Federal Census, accessed Ancestry Library; "Indianapolis,” The Negro Travelers’ Green Book: The Guide to Travel and Vacations (1955 Edition): 20, accessed New York Public Library Digital Collections; “Foster Opens Hotel in Downtown Section,” Indianapolis Recorder, January 22, 1955, 2, accessed Newspapers.com; Indianapolis Recorder, August 13, 1955, 7, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; The Saint, “The Avenoo,” Indianapolis Recorder, April 27, 1957, 12, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; “Indianapolis,” Travelers’ Greek Book (New York City: Victor H. Green & Co., 1966-1967): 24, accessed New York Public Library Digital Collections; The Saint, “The Avenoo,” Indianapolis Recorder, June 29, 1963, 12, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; Ad, Indianapolis Recorder, July 8, 1967, 6, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; Robert Corya, “Dust Nothing New to Andrew Foster,” Indianapolis News, August 26, 1969, 24, accessed Newspapers.com; “Success Hasn’t Spoiled Bo,” Indianapolis Recorder, January 22, 1983, 1, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; “Andrew D. Foster, Owned Motor Lodge,” Indianapolis News, June 25, 1987, 39, accessed Newspapers.com; “The ‘New’ Pearl’s Management is Sponsoring Andrew ‘Bo’ Foster Memorial/Appreciation Day May 28,” Indianapolis Recorder, May 21, 1988, 3, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; Alexandria Burris, "How the 'Great Book' Helped Black Motorists Travel across Indiana," IndyStar, February 16, 2022, accessed indystar.com.
[3] Ad, "Welcome Permanent Guest," Indianapolis Recorder, February 6, 1954, 2, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; “Foster Opens Hotel in Downtown Section,” Indianapolis Recorder, January 22, 1955, 2, accessed Newspapers.com; Indianapolis Recorder, August 13, 1955, 7, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; The Saint, “The Avenoo,” Indianapolis Recorder, April 27, 1957, 12, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; The Saint, “The Avenoo,” Indianapolis Recorder, June 29, 1963, 12, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; The Saint, “The Avenoo,” Indianapolis Recorder, September 24, 1966, 10, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; Ad, Indianapolis Recorder, July 8, 1967, 6, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; Corya, “Dust Nothing New to Andrew Foster,” Indianapolis News, 24; “Success Hasn’t Spoiled Bo,” Indianapolis Recorder, January 22, 1983, 1, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles.
[4] Ad, "Pearl's Cocktail Lounge," Indianapolis Recorder, May 9, 1970, 11, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; "Black Republicans Enjoy Reception," Indianapolis Recorder, January 2, 1971, 4, accessed Newspapers.com; “Success Hasn’t Spoiled Bo,” Indianapolis Recorder, 1; Renee Ferguson, “NAACP Leader Denounces Bills Prohibiting Busing,” Indianapolis News, February 23, 1972, 10, accessed Newspapers.com; "One Man in Life," Indianapolis Recorder, October 6, 1973, 15, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; “Group Raises $67,075 for Lugar Campaign,” Indianapolis News, March 13, 1974, 20, accessed Newspapers.com; “Women’s Luncheon Every Monday at Pearl’s Lounge,” Indianapolis Recorder, August 17, 1974, 5, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; “Pacers Get-Acquainted Buffet at Pearl’s Nov. 3,” Indianapolis Recorder, October 25, 1975, 4, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; "Hudnut, GOP Mayoral Candidate, Plans Active Recruitment Program for Blacks," Indianapolis Recorder, October 4, 1975, 1, 17, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; “Black Republicans Cite Kuykendall, Ms. Holland,” Indianapolis Recorder, February 28, 1976, 2, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; Indianapolis Recorder, October 9, 1976, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; “C. Delores Tucker Arranges Series of Weekend Talks,” Indianapolis Star, October 10, 1976, 86, accessed Newspapers.com; “Success Hasn’t Spoiled Bo,” Indianapolis Recorder, January 22, 1983, 1, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; “Let’s Go: Leisure Time Calendar,” Indianapolis Star, February 27, 1983, 83, accessed Newspapers.com; William J. Sedivy, “Socialist Workers Vice Presidential Candidate in City,” Indianapolis Star, September 15, 1984, 22, accessed Newspapers.com; “Special Notices,” Indianapolis News, October 26, 1984, 33, accessed Newspapers.com; “The ‘New’ Pearl’s Management is Sponsoring Andrew ‘Bo’ Foster Memorial/Appreciation Day May 28,” Indianapolis Recorder, May 21, 1988, 3, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles.
[5] Pat W. Stewart, “Operation Breadbasket Ministers Outline Broad Program for Action in the City,” Indianapolis Recorder, December 30, 1967, 1, 14, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; John H. Lyst, "Negro Firms to Get Push," Indianapolis Star, May 2, 1968, 73, accessed Newspapers.com; L. J. Banks, “NBL Ready to Aid Negro Businessmen,” Indianapolis News, December 4, 1968, 78, accessed Newspapers.com; Corya, “Dust Nothing New to Andrew Foster,” Indianapolis News, 24; "Opportunity Fair to Aid Minorities," Indianapolis News, July 29, 1970, 25, accessed Newspapers.com; Robert Corya, “80,000 Shares OK’d for Newest City Bank,” Indianapolis News, April 20, 1971, 5, accessed Newspapers.com; “New Midwest National Bank Gets Approval to Sell Common Stock,” Indianapolis Recorder, April 24, 1971, 1, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; “The Best Kept Secret in Town: Midwest National Bank,” Indianapolis Recorder, November 28, 1981, 22, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles.
[6] "Bo Foster's Day," Indianapolis Recorder, September 4, 1982, 1, 8, accessed Hoosier State Chronicles; “Touching Anniversary Tribute for ‘Bo,’” Indianapolis Recorder, January 29, 1983, 3, accessed Newspapers.com.
Keywords
Business, Industry, & Labor; African American