History :

The late Albert H. Foret, editor, manager and part owner of the Coronado Journal in the 1920s must be given credit for revealing a wonderful glimpse into the early history of Rotary Club of Coronado. Although Foret was not one of the club's charter members, he was the impetus behind the club's formation and also, thankfully, a man who loved to observe and record local history.

When he addressed Rotary Club at its 25th anniversary celebration in 1951, Foret described Coronado in the Fall of 1925 as a lovely community - quiet, little traffic, no traffic signals, condominiums or high rises and lots of open space that included many vacant lots.

Because of its vast holdings of businesses and land, the Spreckels Companies was very powerful in Coronado, causing some resentment among the locals who were outside the Spreckels sphere.

Foret became concerned about a possible serious conflict, and conceived the idea of a businessmen's weekly luncheon meeting to promote better understanding and fellowship. Among the town's "movers and shakers" he contacted was one A.E. Holloway, an officer at San Diego Gas & Electric Co. As it turned out, Holloway was a member of the well-established San Diego Rotary Club, founded in 1911, the 33rd Rotary Club to be chartered. Holloway suggested Foret organize a Coronado Rotary Club to meet the goals he outlined.