Alviso Untold Story
Become a Part of History
Our Mission
Our work explores Alviso’s remarkable transformation from a vibrant 19th-century port town to a quiet yet resilient community on the edge of Silicon Valley. Through historical research, oral histories, and archival materials, we uncover the building blocks that shaped Alviso. Our ultimate goal is to make Alviso's history an interactive, engaging, and accessible experience enjoyed by all.​
A Quick Glance of History of Alviso
This slide deck provides a concise overview of Alviso’s history, covering its origins as a Spanish mission settlement, its maritime heritage, farming life, the Bayside Canning Company, its neighboring ghost town of Drawbridge, the community’s challenges, and its current state. This slide deck was presented at many different events across the Bay Area. Click on the arrows at the bottom to learn more.
Thomas Foon Chew Documentary
This documentary is a journey into the life of a man who defied the odds and built one of the largest canneries in the US. At a time when Chinese Americans faced heavy discrimination, Foon Chew not only created a thriving business but also provided jobs, dignity, and hope to thousands.
​​​
3D Model for Bayside Canning Company
​
​Once the nation’s third-largest cannery under Thomas Foon Chew, Bayside Canning Company now stands in ruins yet remains a San José Historic Landmark. To revive its legacy, I digitally reconstructed one of its original buildings using archival photos, 3D modeling, and AI rendering. This project marks the beginning of a larger effort to virtually preserve the entire campus and bring Alviso’s history to life.
Special thanks to Mr. Jeff Cristina for site access and to Eason B. and Ethan for photography and aerial shots.
​
A Day at Bayside Canning Company - Generated by AI​
I used Sora to generate a movie depicting a typical day at BaySide Canning Company in the 1920s. I first used ChatGPT to create detailed prompts for each scene. I then pasted each prompt into Sora to generate the individual scenes. Finally, I imported all the scenes into iMovie to assemble the complete video.
​​​
Key Sources About Alviso's History
Before Alviso (pre-1852)
1. History San Jose, “History of Alviso”​
2. City of San José Planning Division, “Alviso Historic Context and Survey Project”
3. Santa Clara County Archives & Architecture, "County of Santa Clara Historic Context Statement (PDF)"
Early Days (1852-1900)
1. “History of Alviso” (same as above) – useful for early settlement, steamboats, and port era.
2. San José Public Library, “Looking Back: Our Historic District of Alviso”
3. San José Convention & Visitors Bureau, "Neighborhood: Alviso"
​
Golden Age (1900-1920)
​1. Neighborhood page: “History of Alviso” – covers the cannery era, port, and industry.
2. “Looking Back: Our Historic District of Alviso” (same as above) – archival, built-environment during the boom.
3. City of San José news: “Alviso’s Once-Thriving Marina is Getting a New Lease on Life”
Hard Times (1920-1968)
1. San José Spotlight, “San Jose loses historic building in Alviso”
2. PDF report: “Is a Conflict of Interest Guiding … the Santa Clara Valley Water District in Alviso”
Annexation (1968-1980)
1. City of San José, “Historic Districts and Conservation Areas” page (notes annexation in 1968).
2. Galarza, Ernesto, “Alviso: the Crisis of a Barrio”
3. 41 more sources can be found in my research paper: "The Forgotten City of the Bay Area: How the City of San Jose Failed to Uphold Its Responsibilities to the Alviso Community"
​
Present Day (1980-present)
1. City of San José, “Alviso Historic Context and Survey Project” (2022-23 engagement) – looks at current history/preservation.
2. City of San José news: “Alviso’s Once-Thriving Marina is Getting a New Lease on Life” – modern restoration and uses.
​
​​
About the Team
Grant Han
Grant is a senior currently attending Basis Independent Silicon Valley. Ever since he was young, he has been fascinated with history and historical research. He hopes to bring awareness and attention to Alviso using the power of history.
Evan Shi
Evan is a high school senior from Texas. He has many interests, including filmmaking and 3d modeling. In his free time, he loves to explore new creative projects and improve his talents.
Our Mentors
CompassPoint Mentorship is a 501c3 non-profit organization established in March 2013 with a strong commitment to the community. Over the years, they have successfully executed a range of programs, including summer camps in Alviso and at Santa Clara University, which provide engaging and educational activities for youths. In addition, they are passionate about public art initiatives, having installed stunning murals in various parks throughout Santa Clara County.
Founded in 1987, the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) is a nonprofit based in Santa Clara County, California. CHCP promotes, educates, and preserves Chinese and Chinese American history and culture through community outreach activities.
